Temporary Maintenance Technician

SUMMARY:
New role is available for a Temporary Maintenance Technician for a duration of +/- 36 months for our client in the Automotive industry, based in Kariega.

POSITION INFO:

This is a temporary role. +/- 36 months contract.

Role Overview:

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct detailed analysis of all plant stoppages and breakdowns, and produce comprehensive reports.
• Track maintenance history and support reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Lead preventative and predictive maintenance programs to enhance equipment reliability.
• Assist maintenance teams during equipment failures to ensure minimal downtime and fast recovery.

Core Duties:

• Diagnose and repair faulty equipment (e.g., welding guns, servo-pneumatic valves, transmission modules, tucker guns, and sealer systems), and manage spare parts to ensure availability.
• Troubleshoot and resolve robotic electronic communication faults by adjusting robot programming to prevent recurrence and maintain production flow.
• Analyse, fault-find, repair, and optimise equipment used in sealer, toxing, welding, laser, bolting, and rivet joining technologies to meet quality standards and production targets.
• Review and interpret PLC programs to identify errors and root causes of Interbus or Profinet network faults; implement corrective actions to restore uninterrupted production.
• Set up, fault-find, and program SEW drives using diagnostic tools such as Movitools and Motion Studio.
• Modify and enhance diagnostic interfaces on HMIs to quickly identify equipment faults and reduce resolution time.
• Investigate and analyse major or recurring production stoppages to determine root causes and implement effective long-term solutions.
• Liaise with equipment suppliers and Group technical experts to resolve complex equipment issues and prevent future failures.
• Maintain accurate documentation of all breakdowns, root causes, corrective actions, and maintenance activities using tools such as the Knowledge Management System, TPM sheets, and PM schedules.
• Perform immediate post-breakdown root cause analysis and ensure accurate completion of required documentation and control sheets.
• Ensure robot safety circuits comply with all relevant safety standards and function correctly.
• Regularly back up robot and PLC programs to facilitate quick system recovery in case of data loss.

Qualifications:

• National Nated Diploma / National Diploma / BTech / BEng / BSc in Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years in a maintenance or technical role within the vehicle manufacturing or industrial sector.

Essential Skills and Requirements:

• Proficiency in reading and interpreting E-Plan electrical and pneumatic diagrams.
• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Willingness to undergo and successfully complete relevant assessments.
• Flexibility to work shifts, overtime, weekends, public holidays, and during plant shutdowns as required.
• Willingness to participate in the standby roster and respond to urgent maintenance needs.
• Commitment to completing and passing the compulsory VASS training.
• Consistent and reliable attendance record.

Desirable (Advantageous) Skills:

• Training and experience with Siemens PLCs and robot programming.