Senior Automation Engineer - Hybrid PLC/SCADA Expert

Placements24; Riverton (UT); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid and retirement benefits

Profit sharing opportunities

Professional development & training

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to design, implement, and commission advanced automation systems for industrial clients in Upington, Northern Cape. The role includes PLC, SCADA, and HMI development, system architecture, and on-site commissioning with remote support.

The ideal candidate has a Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree, 6+ years of hands-on automation experience, and proficiency with Siemens S7 and Rockwell platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years hands-on industrial automation experience.
• Expertise with PLCs from major vendors (Siemens S7, Rockwell ControlLogix/CompactLogix).
• Strong SCADA experience (Wonderware, Ignition, WinCC) and HMI development.
• Familiarity with Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP.
• Excellent understanding of control system design principles and safety standards.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and client-facing abilities.
• Willingness to travel to client sites; hybrid work capability.
• Must be based in or relocate to Upington, Northern Cape.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, program, and commission industrial automation systems, including PLCs, SCADA, and HMIs.
• Lead automation projects from scoping and design to implementation and handover.
• Develop system architectures and select hardware/software components.
• Write and debug PLC code for Siemens and Rockwell platforms.
• Develop user-friendly HMI screens and configure SCADA for process control.
• Troubleshoot and resolve automation issues on-site or remotely.
• Mentor junior automation engineers and ensure safety standards.

Skills

PLCs

SCADA

HMI development

Industrial networks

Problem solving

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Siemens S7

Rockwell ControlLogix/CompactLogix

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to design, implement, and commission advanced automation systems for industrial clients in Upington, Northern Cape. The role includes PLC, SCADA, and HMI development, system architecture, and on-site commissioning with remote support.

The ideal candidate has a Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree, 6+ years of hands-on automation experience, and proficiency with Siemens S7 and Rockwell platforms.