Crofts Gears is a South African OEM manufacturer of industrial gearboxes and mechanical power transmission products, including helical and bevel helical gear units, worm gear units, geared motors, couplings, industrial chain, sprockets, and drive systems, supplying customers across mining, water treatment, and heavy industry.
We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer who is technically solid, commercially aware, and genuinely interested in how power transmission products are applied in the real world. This role sits at the intersection of engineering and sales. You will spend your time solving application problems, specifying the right product, and supporting the sales team with the technical substance that wins business.
This is not a pure design role, and it is not a sales role. If you want to spend your career in front of a CAD screen with no customer exposure, this is not for you. If you want to apply your mechanical engineering knowledge to real industrial problems, work alongside a commercial team, and see the direct impact of your technical contribution, this is worth your attention.
THE ROLE
The Mechanical Engineer supports the sales and applications function by providing accurate product specifications, engineering calculations, and technical documentation. Where standard products require adaptation or modification to meet a specific customer application, you are the person who determines what is required and ensures it is correctly captured and communicated.
You will work closely with the external sales team, within the engineering function, and the manufacturing function, acting as the technical link between what the customer needs and what Crofts can deliver.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Product Engineering & Specification
- Develop custom gearbox and coupling specifications to meet specific customer application requirements
- Perform engineering calculations to determine service factors, torque ratings, speed ratios, shaft loads and power requirements
- Prepare accurate bills of materials for specified and adapted products
- Assess standard products against customer application conditions and determine required modifications or adaptations
- Liaise with the manufacturing team to ensure specifications are buildable, accurate and clearly communicated
Review and verify technical submissions, ensuring all product data is correct before release to the customer or production
Sales & Applications Support
- Support the sales team and Applications Engineer with technical input on complex enquiries, tenders and proposals
- Assist in identifying the correct product from the Crofts range, or specifying an adaptation, for non-standard customer applications
- Contribute to quotation and tender preparation by providing accurate engineering content, selection justifications and product data
- Attend customer visits and site meetings where technical depth is required beyond standard applications support
- Respond to internal and customer technical queries accurately and within agreed timeframes
- Support product demonstrations and technical presentations where engineering detail is required
Technical Documentation & Standards
- Prepare and maintain accurate technical documentation including specifications, datasheets, selection reports and product notes
- Ensure all engineering outputs meet internal quality standards and are traceable and retrievable
- Provide feedback on product performance issues and field failures to inform continuous improvement
- Stay current with applicable engineering standards, product developments and industry practices relevant to mechanical power transmission
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) or National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering is required
- Additional commercial or technical sales qualification is advantageous
Experience
- 3 to 5 years of engineering experience in a mechanical power transmission, rotating equipment, or related industrial manufacturing environment
- Demonstrated experience specifying or adapting gearboxes, couplings, or related power transmission products for specific applications
- Proven ability to perform mechanical engineering calculations independently, service factors, torque, shaft loading, ratio selection
- Experience preparing bills of materials and technical specifications in a manufacturing or engineering context
- Comfortable reading and interpreting mechanical engineering drawings and assembly documents
- Exposure to a customer-facing or sales support environment is a meaningful advantage
- Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with ERP or CRM systems is advantageous
The Person
- Technically rigorous, you take accuracy seriously and understand that an incorrect specification has real consequences on the shop floor and in the field
- Mechanically curious, you are genuinely interested in how things work and why they fail
- Commercially aware, you understand that engineering exists to serve a business outcome, not the other way around
- Clear communicator, able to explain technical decisions confidently to both engineers and non-engineers
- Self-motivated and organised, able to manage multiple concurrent specifications and enquiries without losing accuracy or pace
- Collaborative , you work effectively alongside sales, applications and manufacturing, and you understand your role in the broader team
- Honest and professional, with the personal standards to thrive in a high-performance environment
HEALTH, SAFETY & COMPLIANCE
- Full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and all applicable legislation is required at all times
- Promote a culture of safety awareness in all activities, including any customer site visits
- Uphold the company's quality, environmental and compliance standards at all times
REMUNERATION
Market-related. Commensurate with qualifications and demonstrated engineering experience.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply directly via Indeed. Do not contact Crofts Gears by telephone or email regarding this position. Applications submitted outside of this platform will not be considered.
South African citizens only.
A minimum of 3 years' experience in a mechanical engineering role within an industrial or manufacturing environment is a hard requirement. Applicants who do not meet this criterion will not be considered regardless of other qualifications.
If you have not received feedback within one month of submitting your application, please consider your application unsuccessful.
By submitting your application, you consent to Crofts Gears (Pty) Ltd processing your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, No. 4 of 2013 (POPIA).
Application Question(s):
- Have you read the job advertisement? Point out the spelling mistakes.
Work Location: In person
