Tupande Mechanical Maintenance Engineer / Specialist (Fixed-Term)

Responsibilities

Hands-on Mechanical Maintenance & Repair

• Execute hands-on mechanical repairs on critical processing machinery to ensure operational continuity across all factory locations.
• Troubleshoot complex mechanical equipment failures directly, providing on-the-spot technical interventions when standard maintenance staff or vendors are unavailable.
• Perform routine and deep-dive mechanical overhauls, component replacements, and structural alignments on heavy plant machinery.

Preventive Maintenance & Execution

• Physically execute mechanical preventative maintenance schedules and job plans assigned via the CMMS.
• Inspect, adjust, and overhaul mechanical assemblies (such as gearboxes, pumps, hydraulic rams, pneumatic lines, conveyors, and bearings).
• Track and provide direct data to the Lead Engineer on mechanical asset conditions, failure modes, and component wear rates.

Machinery Focus & Asset Care

• Act as the core mechanical technical intervention specialist for Soko factory machinery repairs and maintenance. Ensure all soko machinery is in a good performance state.
• Conduct technical repairs on industrial dehydrators, macadamia processing systems, and industrial-level biochar production equipment.
• Verify and list precise mechanical specifications for machines, spare parts, and consumables requested by factory teams.

Workforce Mentorship & TPM Support

• Mentor and model best-practice mechanical repair techniques during direct interaction with factory staff to elevate technical standards
• Assist in delivering TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) maintenance training for machine operators specifically regarding mechanical checks, cleaning, and precision lubrication
• Coach operators on identifying early mechanical warning signs like abnormal vibrations, heat, or noise

Safety, Food Safety, and Regulation

• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with safe systems of work: permit to work, LOTO, confined space, and relevant Kenyan regulatory requirements (KEBS, DOSH, NEMA)
• Maintain HACCP-required equipment records for food-contact assets; lead the maintenance function's contribution to food safety audits
• Champion a zero-harm safety culture on the shop floor; report hazards and quickly close out structural or machine risk issues

Qualifications

Across all roles, these are the general qualifications we look for. For this role specifically, you will have:

Technical skills:

• Degree or Higher Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or appropriate engineering field
• Active registration/membership as an engineer or technical practitioner in Kenya
• Preventive/predictive maintenance programme design and implementation
• Experience with avocado oil machinery repairs and maintenance preferred
• Experience with industrial dehydrators, macadamia processing, and industrial level biochar production preferred
• Ability to utilize CMMS software (SAP PM, Maximo, Limble, etc.) to close work orders and log technical data
• Deep mechanical fault-finding and root cause analysis on industrial plant equipment
• Proficiency in mechanical drawings, pneumatics, hydraulics, and welding/fabrication techniques

Knowledge:

• Food safety management systems and HACCP requirements as applied to plant maintenance
• Kenyan occupational health and safety legislation (OSHA, DOSH requirements)
• TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) or World Class Manufacturing principles
• Kenyan regulatory environment for food manufacturing (KEBS, relevant standards)