Mechanical Engineering Internships – 2027–2029

Location

Head Office, South Africa (with operational site exposure)

Employment Type

Contract

Closing Date

14 November 2026

A 24-month structured internship programme offering engineering graduates practical workplace experience in Trackless Mobile Machinery (TMM) used in opencast mining. Interns will gain supervised exposure to diagnostics, maintenance, project planning and engineering operations. Two positions are available.

Available Positions

The following positions are available as part of this advertisement. Please review the requirements for each role and apply for the position that best matches your experience.

Mechanical Engineering Intern

Reference: HO27-INTERN-02

Apply for this position
Department Engineering Graduates
Reports To Engineering Manager / Technical Manager / Head of Department

Position Summary

To provide structured workplace exposure and training for engineering graduates, allowing interns to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings.

The internship provides practical exposure to Trackless Mobile Machinery (TMM) used in opencast mining, including diagnostics, maintenance, project planning and the implementation of engineering tasks under supervision.

Key Responsibilities

  • Assist various teams with assigned tasks, including research, data capturing and practical workplace activities.
  • Work closely with team members to develop an understanding of company operations and apply academic knowledge.
  • Perform clerical and administrative duties as required.
  • Comply with all applicable health and safety requirements and relevant operating standards.
  • Carry out general duties and follow reasonable instructions from supervisors.
  • Adhere to the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Codes of Practice (COPs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Qualifications & Experience

  • Grade 12 (Matric) qualification.
  • Relevant university degree (NQF Level 7) or latest final-year academic transcript.
  • Accepted qualifications: BTech, BEng or BSc in Mechanical, Electrical or Mechatronic Engineering.
  • No formal work experience in the relevant field of application.
  • Valid driver's licence.

Skills & Competencies

  • Computer literacy, including Microsoft Excel.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong organisational, scheduling and prioritisation skills.
  • Professional conduct and commitment to confidentiality.
  • Eagerness to learn and develop technical competence.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with different teams.
  • Willingness to follow workplace health and safety procedures.

Mandatory Requirements

  • Must be a South African citizen.
  • Must currently be unemployed.
  • Must have no formal work experience in the relevant field of application.
  • Must have completed Grade 12 (Matric).
  • Must hold a relevant NQF Level 7 university degree (BTech, BEng or BSc) in Mechanical, Electrical or Mechatronic Engineering, or provide the latest final-year academic transcript.
  • Must hold a driver's licence.
  • Must be medically fit.
  • Must provide all required supporting documents with the application.

Preferred Requirements

  • Proficiency in engineering software relevant to Mechanical, Electrical or Mechatronic Engineering would be advantageous.

Required Documents

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV).
  • Copy of South African identity document (ID).
  • Copy of Grade 12 (Matric) certificate.
  • Copy of relevant university degree certificate (BTech, BEng or BSc) or latest final-year academic transcript.
  • Copy of driver's licence.

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1. This e-mail disclaimer (the “Disclaimer”) is enforceable and binding on the recipient of this email, together with any links or attachments transmitted with it (collectively, the “E-mail”) in terms of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002. Unauthorised disclosure or use of this E-mail may result in civil and criminal liability.

2. This E-mail may be confidential, legally privileged and protected by law and remains the property of Trollope Mining Services (2000) (Pty) Ltd (“TMS”). TMS retains all intellectual property rights which it may have in respect of any information contained in this E-mail.

3. This E-mail is intended for the sole use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed (the “Authorised Recipient”). A person, other than the Authorised Recipient (the “Unauthorised Recipient”) may not use or disclose the contents of this E-mail to any other person, unless as required by law, in which case such Unauthorised Person shall advise TMS in writing.

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Monisha Prem

Director

Monisha (BA, LLB, MBA) is a practicing attorney at her own law firm with over 15 years post articles experience. Monisha specialises in corporate and commercial law, and is a former investment banker specialising in deal-making. She currently serves on various boards, has authored a book and is passionate about entrepreneurship.

John Trollope

Director

Like his brother Peter, John also grew up on the family’s cattle farm and, after attending Laerskool Thabazimbi, completed his high school education at St. Stithians College in Johannesburg. After matriculating, he served 10 months in the SADF and then completed a B Com. (Marketing) degree at Natal University, where he also played provincial rugby for Natal. In 1976, John relocated to Pretoria to play rugby for the Bulls, before returning to the farm at the end of 1978.

John is a shareholder of Trollope Mining Services and is responsible for the plant and equipment division of the business, with more than 40 years of experience in the mining sector.

Jessica Mortlock

Financial Director

Jessica attended St Mary’s DSG in Pretoria following which she studied a BAccHons at the University of Stellenbosch. Jessica completed her Charted Accountancy Articles at Investec South Africa (Johannesburg) which included a rotation to the Investec London office. After the completion of her articles, Jessica joined the family business in 2009.

As an area accountant, she was responsible for the cost accounting and management reporting for a selection of the company’s mining operations.She was furthermore involved in a selection of commercial matters including the compilation of tender documents. In 2019 Jessica became the Group Financial Director overseeing all financial aspects of the group. 

Francois Miller

Plant Director

Francois has completed a diploma in Mechanical Engineering as well as a course on Business Management at the Tukkies post graduate faculty. He joined Trollope Mining Services in February 1999 as an apprentice and mechanic and worked as such until 2003 when he was transferred to Tselentis as workshop manager.

In 2007 he was made responsible for plant and equipment in the Mpumalanga area until 2009 when he was transferred to Head Office and promoted to Plant Manager.

In 2019 Francois was appointed Group Plant Director and is responsible for all plant and equipment owned and operated by the group.

Rahim Khan

Director

Born in Potchefstroom, South Africa, Rahim (BA, LL.B, Docts. Jur.) currently resides in Gaborone, Botwana, where he is practicing as Attorney of the High Court of Botswana, admitted 1980, as well as the High Court of South Africa, admitted 1977. His tertiary education includes the University of Durban, the University of South Africa and the University of Leiden in the Netherlands followed by numerous international Law Internships.

Rahim has served on numerous boards and has been appointed directorships for many companies including Group 5 Botswana (Pty)Ltd and Basil Read (Pty)Ltd. His extensive career includes being a Lecturer of Law at the University of Botswana, serving as Acting Chief Magistrate for Gaborone in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2012 and being appointed honorary legal advisor to the German and British Embassies and serving as the Honorary Swedish Consul to Botswana.

Michael Guy Grofton Hopkins

Director

Guy attended Kearnsey College, and after completing Military Service, he completed a H Dip. Civil Engineering diploma at Natal Technikon. He had a bursary with Savage & Lovemore (Group Five) and worked in the roads sector in Natal on various projects on the North & South Coast.

In 1993, he joined LTA Civils to get exposure in heavy civils and worked his way up from Site Agent to Director, on various projects in Natal, JHB and Mozambique.

In 1998, he went back to Group Five Roads in JHB as a Contract Director, running various projects in Africa. In 2004, Guy was moved into a Managing Director position and began fixing various businesses within the Group Five stable. Guy spent a total of 18 years with Group Five.

In 2010, Guy joined Trollope Mining Services with the intention of turning the business around and setting it on a new course. In 2025, after 15 years, Guy stepped down as the Managing Director and allowed the “Next Generation” to continue. Guy will remain on the main board as a director.

Nkosemntu Gladman Nika

Director

Also from the Eastern Cape, Nkosemntu attended Freemantle High School in Lady Frere where he matriculated in 1977. He then continued his tertiary education at the University of Pretoria where he obtained his Hons B Compt degree as well as a cerficate in Theory of Accounting (CTA). This was followed by futher studies at the University of Fort Hare from 1978 – 1980 where he completed his education by obtaining a B Comm degree, majoring in Accounting and Business Economics.

Following an impressive career of holding various positions in the finance and accounting sectors for a number of different highly acclaimed institutions, Nkosemntu currently holds the position of CFO and Finance Director at Petro SA (SOC) Ltd.

Mthetheleli Buya

Director

Hailing from the Eastern Cape, Mthetheleli Buya attended Thubalethu High School in Fort Beaufort after which he obtained his B Juris and LLB degrees from the University of Fort Hare. In 1998 Mtheza was elected Chairman of the Housing portfolio of the Fort Beaufort Municipality and thereafter took up a position with the Health Special Investigating Unit as a forensic investigator. In 2001 he was approached by KPMG to head the Forensic and Investigative Accounting division in the Eastern Cape where after 3 years he was appointed as a director for KPMG Consulting.

In 2006 he joined Real People as a director and was responsible for strategic alliances within the Real People Group. Mtheza is the owner of Sthathu, which has a number of subsidiaries with numerous equity investments in various industries.

Mark Trollope

Managing Director

Mark brings 15 years of specialised experience in the resources sector, with a deep understanding of opencast mining operations across Africa.

Since joining Trollope in May 2011, Mark has progressed through various commercial and operational leadership roles within the company. His journey culminated in his appointment as Managing Director in 2025, following his tenure as Operations Director, where he successfully oversaw multiple projects across the African continent.

Throughout his career, Mark has developed comprehensive expertise across the diverse range of commodities and operating environments that define Africa’s opencast mining industry. His hands-on leadership approach and commitment to working closely with operational teams have been instrumental in driving sustainable growth and operational excellence across Trollope’s portfolio.

Mark holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Stellenbosch University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)”