Overview
Machinist/Turner Jobs in Benoni at Crofts Gears (Pty) Ltd
About the Role
We manufacture industrial gearboxes, couplings, and related mechanical power transmission equipment for demanding industrial applications. Precision machining is fundamental to what we produce, and we are looking for a skilled Machinist to join our machine shop team.
You will manufacture metal components to tight tolerances from drawings and specifications, operating a range of conventional machines including lathes, borers, millers, grinders, and drills. The components you produce go directly into gearboxes and chain assemblies — the quality of your work determines the quality of the finished product. Alongside your own output, you will be expected to share your knowledge and support the development of less experienced team members.
Key Responsibilities: Job Planning & Machine Setup
- Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and job orders to determine product specifications, tolerances, and the correct sequence of machining operations.
- Select, install, and adjust tooling, drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
- Mount, align, and secure workpieces and attachments on machine — in chucks, fixtures, arbors, or automatic feeding mechanisms — manually or using hoists where required.
- Set machine stops, guides, feed rates, cutting speeds, depths, and angles by moving controls or mounting the appropriate gears, cams, or templates.
- Select the correct coolants and lubricants for each operation and ensure they are flowing correctly before machining begins.
Machining Operations
- Set up and operate conventional machines including lathes, milling cutters, shears, borers, surface grinders, drill presses, and auxiliary machines to produce metallic components.
- Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on workpieces using traced templates, compasses, rules, and scribers.
- Align layout marks accurately with dies or blades before each cut.
- Apply shop mathematics to compute gear dimensions, machine settings, and other operational data as required.
- Record operational data — including pressure readings, stroke lengths, feed rates, and cutting speeds — accurately for each job.
Quality & Inspection
- Inspect workpieces throughout the machining process, checking for defects and verifying dimensional accuracy using rules, templates, verniers, micrometers, and other measuring instruments.
- Remove burrs, sharp edges, rust, and scale from finished components using files, hand grinders, wire brushes, or power tools to achieve the required surface condition.
- Ensure all completed components conform to drawing specifications and meet the company’s minimum quality standards before release to the fitting shop.
Machine Care & Workshop Standards
- Maintain machines, equipment, and facilities in proper working order — carry out routine checks and report any faults or deterioration promptly.
- Keep the work area clean and orderly at all times — good housekeeping is a standard requirement, not an occasional task.
- Handle tooling, workpieces, and equipment with care to prevent damage and extend service life.
Knowledge Sharing & Mentoring
- Share skills and practical knowledge with apprentices and less experienced machinists as part of the broader team development effort.
- Provide on-the-job guidance and support to junior team members, contributing to a culture of skills transfer and continuous improvement.
General
- Carry out additional duties as reasonably required by the supervisor or management.
- Comply with all company quality, environmental, and compliance requirements at all times.
Health, Safety & Environment
- Work in full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and all applicable machine shop safety requirements.
- Use personal protective equipment correctly and consistently — machining environments present real hazards and PPE is non-negotiable.
- Ensure all guards and safety devices are in place and functioning before operating any machine.
- Report hazards, near-misses, and unsafe conditions to the supervisor immediately.
- Promote environmental awareness and responsible handling of coolants, lubricants, and waste materials.
What We Are Looking For: Qualifications & Experience
- Trade-tested Turner or Machinist — essential.
- Proven experience operating conventional lathes, milling machines, borers, grinders, and drill presses in a precision manufacturing environment.
- Ability to read and work from engineering drawings and blueprints without supervision.
- Strong measurement and inspection skills — competent with verniers, micrometers, dial gauges, and templates.
- Sound working knowledge of shop mathematics, including gear dimensions and machine setting calculations.
- Experience machining components for gearboxes, power transmission equipment, or similar precision mechanical assemblies is advantageous.
- Prior experience mentoring apprentices or junior machinists is an advantage.
The Person
- Precise and disciplined — you work to the drawing, check your work, and do not leave a job until it is right.
- Technically competent and self-sufficient — able to plan and execute a job from drawing to finished component without constant direction.
- Methodical in your approach to machine setup, tooling selection, and job sequencing.
- Numerically capable and comfortable applying shop mathematics to real machining problems.
- Willing to share knowledge and take an active interest in the development of junior colleagues.
- Reliable, consistent, and takes pride in the quality of their output.
- Safety-conscious and compliant — you do not take shortcuts around machine guards or PPE.
This position description outlines the primary responsibilities of the role and is not exhaustive. It may be updated from time to time to reflect operational requirements. Management may reasonably request the individual to carry out duties in addition to, or outside of, those listed above.
Package & Remuneration
Market-related, commensurate with experience.
Generic applications will not be progressed.
Please do not email sales@croftsgears to apply for this role. Applications sent to this email address will not be opened and will be deleted.
A person must have a minimum of 3 years of technical experience in an engineering company. If not, they will not be considered. SA citizens only.
IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE FEEDBACK WITHIN ONE MONTH, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL.
By submitting your CV/applying for this position, you hereby grant the company permission to use your personal information in line with the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act, Act 4 of 2013.
Experience:
- Technical : 3 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
Title: Machinist/Turner
Company: Crofts Gears (Pty) Ltd
Location: Benoni
