Automation Controls Engineer - Advanced Manufacturing

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

On-site training

Paid annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 partners with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Pretoria, Gauteng, to hire an Automation Controls Engineer. You will design, implement, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems, and work hands-on with robotics to optimize production, safety, and uptime.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics and at least five years’ industrial automation experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Minimum of five years in industrial automation and controls engineering.
• Strong PLC programming experience (Siemens, Allen-Bradley) and HMI/SCADA development.
• Experience with robotics programming and integration.
• Solid understanding of electrical systems, motor controls, and sensors.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and mechanical drawings.
• Excellent troubleshooting and teamwork in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with vision systems and industrial networking is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, program, and troubleshoot PLC systems for automation equipment.
• Implement and configure HMI and SCADA for process monitoring and control.
• Integrate and program industrial robots on the production floor.
• Develop and maintain electrical schematics and control documentation.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers and production teams to define automation requirements.
• Perform root cause analysis on automation failures and implement corrective actions.
• Optimize automation systems for performance, efficiency, and safety.
• Stay current with new automation technologies and upgrades.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations.
• Provide technical support and training to maintenance staff.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA development

Industrial robotics integration

Electrical schematics

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics

Tools

Siemens PLCs

Allen-Bradley PLCs

KUKA robotics

FANUC robotics

SCADA software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Pretoria, Gauteng, is looking for an experienced Automation Controls Engineer to join their cutting-edge operations. This role is crucial for designing, implementing, and maintaining the sophisticated control systems that drive our advanced manufacturing processes. You will work hands-on with PLCs, robotics, HMI, and SCADA systems to optimize efficiency, ensure safety, and minimize downtime. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of electrical engineering principles, programming logic, and industrial automation technologies. This is a fantastic opportunity to be at the heart of innovation in a leading manufacturing environment, contributing directly to the production of high-quality goods.

This position requires your presence on-site in Pretoria to effectively manage and troubleshoot the complex automation infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, program, and troubleshoot PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) systems for various automation equipment.
• Implement and configure HMI (Human-Machine Interface) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems for process monitoring and control.
• Integrate and program industrial robots (e.g., FANUC, KUKA) for automated tasks on the production floor.
• Develop and maintain electrical schematics and control system documentation.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers and production teams to define automation requirements and ensure seamless system integration.
• Perform root cause analysis on automation failures and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Optimize existing automation systems for improved performance, efficiency, and safety.
• Stay current with new automation technologies and recommend upgrades or new systems.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety standards and regulations.
• Provide technical support and training to maintenance and operations staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial automation and controls engineering.
• Strong proficiency in PLC programming (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley) and HMI/SCADA development.
• Experience with industrial robotics programming and integration.
• Solid understanding of electrical systems, motor controls, and sensor technology.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and mechanical drawings.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience with vision systems and industrial networking protocols is a plus.
• Willingness to work on-site in Pretoria, Gauteng.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and medical aid benefits.
• Retirement fund contribution.
• Opportunities for professional development and certifications in automation technologies.
• Exposure to cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and processes.
• A stable and secure working environment in a leading industrial company.
• Paid annual leave and public holidays.
• On-site training and development programs.