Job Purpose
The Mechanical Engineer ensures the optimal performance, reliability, and safety of mechanical systems in a power station, including turbines, boilers, pumps, piping, and auxiliary equipment. The role involves design, maintenance, troubleshooting, and efficiency improvements to support uninterrupted power generation while complying with industry regulations. Key Responsibilities
1. Design & Installation

• Design, specify, and oversee the installation of mechanical systems (turbines, boilers, heat exchangers, condensers, and piping networks).
• Review and approve mechanical drawings using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or ANSYS.
• Ensure compliance with SANS, ASME, and ISO standards.

2. Maintenance & Reliability

• Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs for rotating and static equipment.
• Conduct vibration analysis, thermography, and lubrication assessments to prevent failures.
• Troubleshoot mechanical failures in turbines, pumps, fans, and compressors.

3. Performance Optimization

• Monitor and improve plant efficiency by analyzing heat rate, steam cycle performance, and fuel consumption.
• Implement condition-based monitoring (CBM) and reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) strategies.

4. Safety & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Pressure Equipment Regulations (PER).
• Conduct risk assessments (HIRA) and root cause analysis (RCA) for mechanical failures.

5. Project Management

• Lead mechanical upgrades, retrofits, and overhauls (e.g., turbine blade replacements, boiler refurbishments).
• Manage contractors and suppliers for equipment procurement and installation.

6. Renewable & Hybrid Systems

• Support integration of solar thermal, biomass, or hydrogen co-firing in traditional power plants.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BEng/BSc).
• Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) for factories (advantageous).
• Professional Registration with ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa).
• Additional Certifications:
  • ASME Pressure Vessel Inspector.
  • Vibration Analysis Certification (ISO 18436).
  • Project Management (PMP/PRINCE2).

Essential Skills & Competencies
Technical Skills

• Thermodynamics & Fluid Mechanics: Expertise in steam cycles, combustion, and HVAC systems.
• Rotating Equipment: Turbines (gas/steam), pumps, compressors, and fans.
• Software Proficiency:
  • CAD: AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or ANSYS.
  • CFD/FEA: ANSYS Fluent, COMSOL (for thermal and stress analysis).
  • CMMS: SAP PM or Maximo for maintenance management.
• Welding & Metallurgy: Knowledge of welding codes (AWS/ASME) and material degradation in high-temperature environments.

Soft Skills

• Problem-solving for rapid fault diagnosis.
• Strong communication for cross-functional teamwork.
• Analytical skills for performance data interpretation.

Experience Requirements

• 5+ years in power generation (coal, gas, nuclear, or renewables).
• Hands-on experience with turbine maintenance, boiler systems, and piping networks.
• Exposure to Eskom, IPPs, or OEMs (Siemens, GE, Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems).