Mechanical Technician

Role Overview

You will be responsible for keeping the mechanical backbone of a busy Mombasa port terminal running smoothly—everything from blending hoppers and conveyors to bagging lines, palletizers, and loaders. Your focus is on preventing breakdowns before they happen and reacting fast when equipment fails, so loading, unloading, and blending schedules stay on track. This role matters because even short stops in material handling can delay shipping and warehouse operations, so your work directly protects the terminal’s daily output.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform planned and unplanned maintenance on blending hoppers, conveyor systems, bagging lines, palletizers, forklifts, and wheel loaders to maximise equipment availability and reliability.
• Carry out routine condition checks, including lubrication, alignment, and replacement of bearings, belts, seals, and other wearing parts to extend machinery life and reduce unexpected failures.
• Rapidly diagnose mechanical faults using vibration analysis, visual checks, and audible inspections, then execute repairs that minimise disruption to ongoing loading, unloading, and blending operations.
• Troubleshoot and repair hydraulic and pneumatic systems, motors, gears, pumps, and other rotating plant equipment, ensuring safe operation and proper functioning.
• Perform minor structural fitting, alignment of moving parts, and basic welding or fabrication work where authorised to keep equipment operational without waiting for external support.
• Keep accurate maintenance logs, spare parts usage records, and service schedules in the maintenance management system, so every piece of equipment has a clear service history.
• Provide written maintenance reports to the Warehouse Supervisor and HESQ Officer, flagging recurring faults, unusual wear patterns, or equipment that may soon require major overhaul.
• Coordinate with electrical technicians and equipment operators to solve combined mechanical and electrical issues, and support installation, calibration, and commissioning of newly repaired or replaced equipment.
• Follow strict Lock-Out/Tag-Out procedures and all site safety rules whenever working on machinery, and keep the workshop clean with proper disposal of used oils, filters, and other maintenance waste.
• Coach junior technicians and operators on basic mechanical care and safety practices so that small issues are spotted early and handled correctly.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A Certificate or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field from a recognised institution.
• A valid mechanical trade certificate from an accredited body.
• At least 3 years of hands-on experience maintaining industrial machinery, warehouse equipment, or bagging and blending systems; experience in a port or bulk commodity handling environment is an added advantage.
• Practical working knowledge of forklifts, conveyors, and hopper mechanical systems, including their drive trains, bearings, and safety mechanisms.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, with the ability to stay calm and work quickly under pressure to restore failed equipment safely.
• Willingness to be on call and to work extended shifts during peak seasons when terminal activity is highest.
• Basic occupational health and safety training is required; you must also be ready to complete the client’s HESQ induction programme if selected.