Facilities Engineer

Position: Facilities Engineer

Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent 

Department: Operations

Location: Saltriver, Cape Town (onsite)

Experience: Bachelor's degree or diploma in Mechanical/ Electrical engineering or equivalent with relevant industry experience (+ 5 years)

Position description

Watchmaker Genomics is inviting applications for the full-time position of Facilities Engineer in our Cape Town Office. This position reports directly to the Director of Operations and will be responsible for ensuring that all facilities and equipment operate efficiently and comply with all quality and regulatory requirements. This role involves maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving the physical infrastructure, laboratory and manufacturing equipment essential for our R&D and manufacturing activities.

The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced working environment and contribute directly to our company culture and success.

Responsibilities

Facilities Management:

• Oversee the operation and maintenance of building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and manufacturing environments.
• Coordinate with external contractors and vendors for the maintenance, repair, cleaning, and upgrade of facilities.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and building codes and regulations.
• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and extend the life of facility assets.
• Manage the installation and commissioning of new equipment and infrastructure projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Equipment Maintenance:

• Maintain and troubleshoot a variety of laboratory and production equipment. 
• Ensure that all equipment is calibrated, validated, and functioning according to specifications.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive equipment maintenance schedule, including routine inspections, calibrations, and repairs.
• Work closely with PD and production teams to optimize equipment performance and address any operational issues.
• Manage equipment documentation, including maintenance logs, calibration records, and qualification reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Regulatory Compliance and Documentation:

• Ensure that all facilities and equipment meet regulatory requirements, including those set by ISO standards.
• Prepare and maintain detailed documentation for audits, inspections, and regulatory submissions.
• Participate in internal and external audits, and implement corrective actions as required. 

Environmental Health and Safety:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, PD, production, quality assurance, to establish an EH&S program to support local requirements.

Continuous Improvement:

• Identify and implement opportunities for improving facility operations, equipment efficiency, and overall productivity.
• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices in facilities and equipment management.
• Provide training and support to staff on the proper use and maintenance of equipment and current EH&S policies and procedures.

Skills and Requirements

• Technical Skills:
  • Strong knowledge of building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and manufacturing environments.
  • Experience with laboratory and production equipment maintenance, calibration, and validation.
  • Familiarity with regulatory standards, such as FDA, GMP, and ISO.
  • Experience with environmental health and safety policies and procedures.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot complex systems.
• Soft Skills:
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a commitment to accuracy and compliance.
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Application Requirements 

To apply for the position, please submit the following in a PDF format on  

• Letter of motivation (upload where it says cover letter)
• Resume or Curriculum vitae, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience

Applications without a Letter of Motivation will not be considered. Local candidates preferred.

If selected to participate in the interview process, the names and contact information of three professional references who are able to assess your suitability for the position in terms of the specified requirements will be requested. We will also request a current payslip.

To ensure your application is considered, please submit it by Friday, 5 December 2025. Please note that this position may close earlier if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

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NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE

We are only accepting direct applications for this position. We are not working with external recruiters or agencies at this time. Unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from third-party recruiters will not be considered and will be deemed the property of Watchmaker Genomics

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SOUTH AFRICA - WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Watchmaker Genomics is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and creating a culturally diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics as protected by applicable law.

All applicants will be asked if currently eligible to work in South Africa; and if now or in the future will require visa sponsorship to continue working in South Africa.  South African citizens preferred.

This position may be subject to pre-employment checks, including driving history check, drug screening and a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. All pre-employment checks will comply with all applicable laws.