Service Technician

Heerenveen, the Netherlands 40 hours Full-time €4,357 - €5,000 per month

Are you a hands-on technician who enjoys variety and gets energy from solving technical problems on the spot? As a Service Technician based in Heerenveen, you will keep machines and installations running for a wide range of industrial companies, from food production to automotive. No two weeks are the same: one day you are carrying out a planned overhaul, the next you are tracking down a fault that has brought a production line to a standstill. You will work as part of an experienced technical service team and get the chance to develop yourself in a professional, well-organised environment. Join Employ IR and make an impact!

Description

As a Service Technician, you are the go-to person when machines and installations need attention. You carry out preventive and corrective maintenance on mechanical, electrical and mechatronic systems at client sites, and you take the lead in finding the root cause of breakdowns rather than just fixing the symptoms. Depending on your experience and preferences, you will work on projects for several clients or be placed on a long-term basis at one production site.

Your tasks will include:

Performing planned maintenance and inspections on production machines and installations
Troubleshooting mechanical, electrical and mechatronic faults, often under time pressure
Carrying out overhauls and revisions of machines and components
Advising clients on improvements that increase reliability and reduce downtime
Reporting your work clearly and ensuring that all activities are carried out safely

You will work in day shifts on a full-time basis (40 hours per week).

Requirements

You are service-minded, quality-conscious and you think in solutions. You enjoy working independently at a client's site, but you also know when to involve your colleagues. Clients can rely on you because you communicate clearly, work safely and take ownership of the job until it is done properly.

You should have:

Trade Test Certificate (Red Seal) as a Millwright, Fitter or Electrician
Several years of experience in maintenance within a production or industrial environment
Strong mechanical insight and a good understanding of electrical and mechatronic systems
Knowledge of safety regulations and a safety-first mindset
Fluent in English and Afrikaans
Willing to relocate to the Netherlands and learn Dutch
A valid driver's license

What we offer

At Employ IR, we believe in giving you the freedom and support to build a meaningful career abroad. We create an environment where you can use your skills to the fullest while growing personally and professionally. We offer:

Base salary between €4.357 – €5.000 gross per month (based on experience)
Work-related expenses fully covered, including relocation to the Netherlands
8% holiday allowance on top of your annual salary
25 vacation days and 13 additional leave (ATV) days per year (full-time basis)
Company vehicle (also available for private use)
Solid pension contribution
A safe, stable and supportive working environment

About the client

Our client is a engineering and technical consultancy firm specializing in the design, construction, maintenance, and optimization of industrial production processes. They operate across sectors such as manufacturing, process, food, and pharmaceuticals, offering integrated services from engineering and project management to predictive maintenance and shutdown optimization. With around 250–500 employees, they support clients nationwide through multiple offices, including this branch in Veendam.

More information

About Employ IR:

Employ IR is a Dutch recruitment agency dedicated to connecting skilled South African professionals with leading technical employers in the Netherlands. Our focus is on long-term career growth, professional fulfilment, and personal well-being. We support our candidates through every step of relocation and integration, ensuring a successful transition into Dutch working life.

Interested?

If you are excited about contributing your technical and maintenance skills to high-impact projects in the Netherlands, we’d love to hear from you. Simply apply now to express your interest. Know someone else who might be a good fit? Feel free to share this vacancy.

Published on 8 October 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about working in the Netherlands, your relocation or the process at Employ IR? Below are the questions we receive most often. Can't find your question? Please feel free to contact us.

View all frequently asked questions

How does health insurance work in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, you are required to have health insurance, which covers essential services such as doctor visits, hospital care and medications. Health insurance costs about €150 per month. Employ IR offers independent experts to help you choose a health insurer, and the government ensures that all insurers offer the same basic coverage. There is an annual deductible, but most basic care is covered. For a referral to a specialist, you first visit your family doctor. Additional insurance is also available for extras such as dentistry or physical therapy. The system is accessible and guarantees quality care for everyone.

How long does the relocation process take?

After you sign your contract with Employ IR, the process usually takes about 6-8 weeks before you are in the Netherlands. However, this depends on factors beyond our control, such as the workload at the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service).

What documents do I need to move to the Netherlands?

Everyone participating in the relocation process needs a passport and an unabridged birth certificate (with apostille). If you are married and want to bring your partner to the Netherlands, you also need a marriage certificate (with apostille). If you are in a long-term relationship but not married, you and your partner must both provide a declaration of marital impediment (with apostille). The unabridged birth certificates, marriage certificates and declarations of impediment to marriage can be obtained from the Department of Home Affairs. Apostilles can be obtained from DIRCO.

Can I use my South African driving licence in the Netherlands?

Yes, if you have applied for the 30% ruling, you can use your South African driving licence for the first six months. It is important that you convert your South African driving licence to a Dutch driving licence at your municipality after your 30% ruling has been approved. If you do not convert your driving licence within the first six months, it will become invalid and you will have to take a driving test again in the Netherlands.

How much does it cost to move to the Netherlands through Employ IR?

In short, very little.

More comprehensive: Employ IR covers all costs related to your move, except for expenses incurred in South Africa, such as for your personal documents and other personal items.

What Employ IR arranges

We arrange your entire move to the Netherlands and take care of the process for you. With our years of experience in visa procedures, we handle your visa application quickly and carefully, including applications for your partner and children. We arrange your housing, transport with a company car, Dutch lessons and the application for the 30% ruling. We also take care of the details from start to finish: from personally welcoming you at the airport to helping you register with a GP and sports clubs, apply for child benefit and much more. Your relocation manager guides you personally throughout the process.

What you arrange and pay for yourself

Employ IR pays the estate agent and covers the costs of finding your home; you pay the monthly rent yourself. You also arrange your own personal documents in South Africa and private insurance, including health insurance, which is compulsory in the Netherlands.