Lonia Nkuna

Mechanical Engineering Honours graduate with experience in CNC machining, precision manufacturing, & equipment reliability at AB InBev. Skilled in interpreting engineering drawings, optimizing processes, & maintaining tight tolerances, with a proven ability to improve machine uptime, reduce cycle times, & enhance product quality. Detail-oriented & adaptable, with a strong focus on continuous improvement & practical engineering solutions.

Mechanical Engineering Supply Graduate - SAB: AB-InBev - Alrode Brewery

(2024-01 - 2026-01)

• Manufactured 50+ precision maintenance components per month for brewery plant equipment across multiple African operations.
• Achieved dimensional accuracy within ±0.01 mm tolerance through precise machine setup and calibration.
• Reduced machining cycle times by 10–15% by optimizing tooling selection & cutting parameters.
• Interpreted & executed 100+ engineering drawings to meet production & maintenance requirements.
• Performed preventive & corrective maintenance on 3–5 CNC machines, improving machine uptime by ~20%.
• Diagnosed and resolved mechanical and operational faults, reducing unplanned downtime by 15%.
• Supported reliability engineering initiatives by identifying recurring failures, contributing to a 10% improvement in equipment lifespan.
• Maintained detailed maintenance logs, improving fault tracking & response efficiency.
• Developed and modified 20+ CNC machining programs (G-code) to support production continuity during machinist absence.
• Assisted in redesigning components, achieving material cost savings of up to 12% and improved manufacturability.
• Contributed to the design & fabrication of custom spare parts, reducing external procurement needs by ~15%.
• Collaborated with engineers to translate design concepts into manufacturable components within strict deadlines.
• Conducted material testing on various metals & alloys, supporting reliability engineering and failure analysis.
• Performed quality inspections using precision instruments, ensuring >95% first-pass acceptance rate.
• Reduced component rejection rates by ~10% through improved inspection & process control.
• Documented and analyzed test data to support engineering decisions & continuous improvement initiatives.

BEngTech Honours - Mechanical Engineering - University of Johannesburg (2025-01 - 2025-12)

BEngTech - Mechanical Engineering - University of Johannesburg (2020-01 - 2023-12)