Automation Specialist

Biovac; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Biovac in Cape Town seeks an Automation Specialist to join a goal-oriented team. The ideal candidate holds an Electrical/Mechatronic/Electronic Engineering degree with 5–10 years in vaccine/biotech environments, and at least 3 years in management of cGMP manufacturing.

You will work with PLC/SCADA systems (Siemens S7, WinCC, ProTool), instrumentation calibration, and hands-on production equipment upgrades, ensuring robust maintenance and project execution.

Qualifications

• Eng., B.sc or BTech degree in Electrical/Mechatronic/Electronic Engineering or equivalent.
• 5–10 years vaccine/biotech experience advantageous.
• Minimum 3 years management in cGMP vaccine/pharma manufacturing.
• Sound experience in project management.
• Experience in general business management.

Responsibilities

• Knowledge of Industrial PCs and Soft PLC control is compulsory.
• Instrumentation and equipment calibration experience is required.
• Strong fault finding and problem solving skills are required.
• Experience with Siemens S7 PLC fault finding, WinCC/ProTool, InTouch SCADA systems.
• Troubleshooting and implementing software changes to PLCs (Allen Bradley and Siemens).
• Provide site support for instrumentation and electrical systems.
• Manage planned and preventive maintenance on site.

Skills

Industrial PCs

Soft PLC

Siemens S7 PLC

WinCC

ProTool

InTouch SCADA

Historian

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Project management

Calibration

Education

Electrical/Mechatronic/Electronic Engineering degree

Job description

BIOVAC is one of the leading sterile vaccine manufacturers rooted in Africa, with our core purpose being to \"protect life\". We are looking to hire a dynamic, passionate, confident, proactive and meticulous Automation Specialist to join a goal-oriented team.

Minimum qualification(s):

Required:

• Eng., B.sc. or BTech degree in Electrical/Mechatronic/Electronic Engineering or equivalent

Experience & industry knowledge:

• 5-10 years' experience in vaccine / biotech industry or equivalent would be advantageous position.
• Minimum of 3 years management experience in cGMP vaccine/pharmaceutical manufacturing or similar position.
• Sound experience in project management.
• Experience in general business management.
• Sound technical ability and hands on approach on qualification activities

Job Purpose / Core Technical Delivery:

• Knowledge of Industrial PCs and / Soft PLC controlled systems is compulsory.
• Instrumentation and equipment calibration experience is required.
• Strong fault findings skills and problem solving is required.
• Sound knowledge on Siemens S7 PLC fault finding and Basic programming, Siemens WinCC and ProTool, Wonderware InTouch Scada systems, Historian and System Platform.
• Troubleshooting and implementing software changes to Allen Bradley and Siemens PLCs
• Software changes using WinCC
• Implementing, working, and troubleshooting Variable drives
• Provide site support for instrumentation (flow, temperature, pressure), well controls (RTU and PLC), communications network, and electrical equipment (380 VAC/3 phase and below)
• Build RTU, radio, and device configurations for newly installed I&EC equipment
• Backing up of HMIs, PLCs and VSDs etc.
• Responsible for the management of the planned and preventative maintenance function on the site
• Establish world class best practice and implement changes to achieve these in the above-mentioned areas
• Life cycle costing; Implementation of PM strategy
• Utilizing information technology as a design aid for replacement, and maintenance strategies for mechanical and Utilities engineering services
• Interface with the Electronic vehicle control system
• Utilising information technology as a design aid Access, replacement, and maintenance strategies for Production, Equipment and Electrical engineering services
• Proactively mitigate general business as well as area of responsibility- related risks and find ways to mitigate these.
• Establish world class best practice and implement changes to achieve these in the above-mentioned areas
• Life cycle costing; Implementation of PM strategy
• Utilizing information technology as a design aid for replacement, and maintenance strategies for mechanical and filling formulating and finish production equipment
• Proactively mitigate general business as well as area of responsibility- related risks and find ways to mitigate these.
• Actively liaising with project engineers within the electrical team, as well as project engineers
• Validation updates to electrical modules
• Maintaining components and BOMs assigned to within the electrical team.
• Life cycle costing; Advising on PM strategy and implementation
• Support the Engineering Manager in all phases of evolution and customization of products (including design, qualification, industrialization and engineering support during production).
• Support the Production in the development and/or updating of verification plans, test procedures and test environments related to the evolution and customization of products.
• Responsible for the identification and resolution of issues and risks under the guidance of the Engineering Manager.

Applications deadline: 25 October 2026

If you do not receive a response from us within three weeks of submitting your application, please understand that your application was not successful.

We believe in the magic of diversity within teams and to achieve this, we do apply Employment Equity principles during our selection process where this is necessary to achieve such diversity.