Permanent - Technical Draughtsman / R&D Technician - Ekurhuleni (East Rand) - South Africa

Role Purpose:

Position requires a practical and technically minded Technical Draughtsman / R&D Technician to support the business with product drawings, tooling drawings, product improvements, and research and development projects. This is not a purely office-based draughting role.

The successful candidate must be competent in CAD and technical drawings, but also comfortable working in a factory environment, taking measurements from physical parts, assisting with prototypes, liaising with production, and helping to push technical projects forward. The successful candidate will work closely with the Managing Director and will play an important role in ensuring that technical drawings, product improvements, and R&D activities are carried out accurately, efficiently, and in line with company processes.

Key Responsibilities:

Prepare accurate and detailed product drawings, tooling drawings, and manufacturing drawings.

Create and update 2D and 3D drawings for existing products, new products, tooling, fixtures, and R&D projects.

Take measurements from physical parts, samples, tools, and customer products for drawing, reverse engineering, or product improvement purposes. 

Assist with product development and product improvement projects through technical drawing, design input, measurement, and practical factory support. 

Work closely with the Managing Director on research and development projects. 

Assist with prototype manufacture, sample preparation, factory trials, and technical project follow-up where required. 

Liaise with production, tooling, quality, CNC operators, and other internal stakeholders to ensure that drawings are practical, clear, and manufacturable. 

Ensure drawings include the correct dimensions, tolerances, fits, materials, surface finish requirements, heat treatment notes, and revision details where applicable. 

Maintain an organised and structured approach to drawing control, revision control, and document management. 

Ensure drawings are completed according to company standards, specifications, and required processes.

Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders to clarify technical requirements and ensure correct execution. 

Follow up on technical tasks in the factory to help ensure projects move forward efficiently and do not lose momentum.

Minimum Requirements:

Draughting qualification, mechanical trade, toolmaking background, N4/N5/N6 mechanical qualification, Technikon diploma, or other relevant technical qualification. 

3–5 years’ relevant experience in mechanical draughting, tooling, machining, manufacturing, product development, or a similar technical environment. 

Experience with manual lathes, milling machines, toolroom equipment, or general workshop equipment. 

Experience operating or working directly with CNC lathes and/or CNC milling machines. 

Strong 2D and 3D CAD capability. 

Ability to prepare clear manufacturing drawings with dimensions, tolerances, materials, fits, and revision control. 

Good understanding of mechanical components, machining processes, and manufacturing principles. 

Comfortable working in a factory environment and communicating with machinists, toolmakers, CNC operators, quality staff, and production personnel. 

Competent in the use of basic measuring equipment such as verniers, micrometers, thread gauges, height gauges, and similar inspection tools. 

Strong attention to detail and ability to work in a structured, methodical manner. 

Good verbal and written communication skills. 

Energetic, proactive, dependable, and willing to take ownership of technical tasks.

Advantageous Experience:

Experience in tooling, cold forming, forging, mining products, wear parts, or heavy industrial components. 

Exposure to research and development, product improvement, or prototype development environments. 

Experience with drawing control systems, document control, or ISO 9001 manufacturing environments. 

Experience with reverse engineering of components from physical samples.

Knowledge of tolerances, press fits, heat treatment, brazing, carbide-tipped products, or high-wear components.

Competencies and Personal Attributes:

Practical, hands-on mechanical aptitude.

Strong draughting discipline and attention to detail. 

Able to convert technical instructions into accurate drawings and practical actions.

Comfortable moving between the office and factory floor. 

Organised and structured in approach to work. 

Able to follow processes accurately and consistently. 

Energetic, self-motivated, and willing to take initiative. 

Good communicator with the ability to work closely with senior leadership and factory personnel. 

Strong sense of responsibility and ownership.

Able to push technical projects forward without requiring constant supervision. 

Willing to learn the company's products, tooling, manufacturing processes, and quality requirements.