Automation Project Engineer

Durbanville Classifieds; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Calibre Life Science is seeking an experienced Automation Project Engineer to lead design and delivery of automation systems for pharmaceutical and biotechnology facilities. The role requires deep GMP knowledge and hands-on project leadership in cleanrooms, laboratories and production suites.

Based in Cape Town, travel across South Africa is expected to support project execution, commissioning and client engagements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering is required.
• Minimum 3–5 years automation design experience in pharma/biotech.
• Proven experience designing GMP-compliant automation systems.
• Strong leadership of technical teams or major project packages.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of process control and electrical systems for pharma/biotech facilities.
• Develop control philosophy, IO schedules, and instrument specifications.
• Coordinate procurement, contracting, and expediting delivery of goods.
• Prepare and issue purchase orders, manage project cost within scope.
• Support commissioning, validation protocols (IQ/OQ/FAT) and site acceptance.
• Collaborate with process/mechanical teams for P&ID and layout development.

Skills

Automation design

GMP compliance

Leadership

Project management

Regulatory documentation

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (BEng/BSc Eng/B.Tech)

Tools

PLC/HMI/SCADA/DCS

Job description

Introduction

Calibre Life Science is seeking a highly experiencedAutomation ProjectEngineerto lead the design and technical delivery of Automation systems forpharmaceutical and biotechnology facilities.

The successful candidate will take full technical responsibility for Automation system design from concept through detailed design, procurement support, commissioning oversight, and validation documentation. This role requires strong technical leadership, deep knowledge of GMP-regulated environments, and experience designing systems for cleanrooms, laboratories, production suites, and controlled environments.

This is a design-lead senior position requiring extensive experience in pharmaceutical and biotech automation systems, including compliance with GEP, GMP, and relevant regulatory standards.

While based in Cape Town, the candidate must be willing to travel within South Africa to support project execution, commissioning, and client engagements as required.

Duties & Responsibilities

Design of process control and electrical systems:

• Control Philosophy (Continuous and Batch)
• Control System Selection and Requirements (PLC/HMI/SCADA/DCS)
• Instrument and Equipment Specifications
• IO Schedules
• Instrument Schedules
• Control System Network Architectures
• Field Installation Requirements
• Electrical Reticulation and layout
• Data capturing (Site and Documentation)
• Preparation of scope of work/specifications
• Actively collaborate with the process/mechanical design team and assist in development of P&ID and equipment layout.
• Critiquing supplier designs and incorporating these into overall design.
• Preparing bills of quantities
• Procurement and Contracting
• Assisting Project Manager in the development of the project cost schedule relating to their scope of work
• Issuing and evaluating tenders
• Preparation and issuing of purchase orders and expediting delivery of goods.
• Liaising with suppliers during the procurement cycle on all technical issues
• Responsible for the cost control relating to their scope of work.
• Evaluating supplier invoices for payment
• Construction and Commissioning/
• Manage the construction phase of the project relating to the automation and electrical scope of work.
• Perform various site visits to ensure progress and quality is maintained.
• Preparation of commissioning schedules and supervision/assistance in commissioning procedure
• Assist with onsite commissioning of projects.
• Ensuring compliance to OHS act and other statutes and regulations.
• Validation
• Preparation of Validation Protocols (RA, IA, IQ, OQ, FAT etc) and supervision/assistance in execution of the protocols

Desired Skills, Education and Experience

SKILLS

• Advanced technical expertise in pharmaceutical and biotech Automationsystems.
• Strong understanding of GMP-regulated environments.
• High attention to detail and regulatory compliance.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Commercial and risk-aware engineering approach.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (BEng/BSc Eng/B.Tech) – required.
• Minimum3-5 years’ Automation design experience.
• Minimum1 years’ experience in pharmaceutical and/or biotech projects.
• Proven experience designing GMP-compliant automation systems.
• Demonstrated leadership of technical teams or major project packages.