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Engineer in Training (Mechanical)

Manufacturing
Johannesburg East, Johannesburg – Gauteng – South Africa

Are you a newly qualified mechanical engineer eager to learn on the factory floor and make an immediate impact? Join a fast-moving, site-based environment where you’ll rotate through core engineering functions and lead real improvement projects from day one. This entry-level role offers hands-on mentorship and practical experience across automation, reliability, operations and utilities systems.
 
Key responsibilities
    • Support automation and process-control projects; assist with data-driven monitoring and optimisation (OEE, downtime, scrap, energy).
    • Investigate recurring breakdowns using root-cause analysis and contribute to preventative maintenance improvements.
    • Troubleshoot mechanical and process issues on the shop floor with a practical, hands-on approach.
    • Drive cycle-time, productivity and quality improvements, including scrap reduction and inspection/vision-system projects.
    • Work on factory and engineering activities such as material flow and logistics optimisation and utilities systems (chillers, cooling towers, water circulation, compressed air).
    • Gain exposure to hydraulics, injection moulding processes and manufacturing best practices.
 
Minimum requirements
    • BEng or BSc (Mechanical) — newly qualified or up to 6 months’ experience.
    • Strong problem-solving mindset and a practical, hands-on approach.
    • Curiosity, initiative and willingness to work in a factory environment.
 
Advantageous skills
    • Experience with CAD (SolidWorks, Inventor, Fusion 360, or similar).
    • Data-analysis skills (Excel, Power BI, Python, etc.).
    • Any industrial or manufacturing project exposure (internships, vacation work).
 
What you’ll gain
    • Real project ownership (not just shadowing).
    • Practical mentorship and rapid development across engineering disciplines.
    • Experience delivering measurable improvements in energy, quality, productivity and sustainability on the factory floor.
 
Note
This is a site-based, hands-on role.