Automation Technician

Pronel Personnel; Howick; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 460,000; Full time

Job summary

Pronel Personnel seeks an experienced Automation Technician for a manufacturing environment to maintain, support and improve plant automation systems in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. You will help ensure reliability and efficiency of automation equipment and support capital projects.

You will manage automation asset registers, backup routines, change control, and continuous improvement initiatives, while troubleshooting complex PLC, HMI and SCADA issues and coordinating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• National Diploma or Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in an industrial automation environment.
• Proven experience in PLC programming and control systems.
• Siemens PLC experience is essential.
• Experience with HMI and SCADA platforms.
• Experience with industrial networks and communication protocols.
• Strong analytical and technical troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent problem-solving ability.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and update the automation asset register.
• Ensure automation equipment is incorporated into the maintenance management system.
• Review and update preventative maintenance schedules and job cards.
• Perform and verify routine automation system backups.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities to reduce losses and improve efficiency.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting during major equipment breakdowns.
• Manage automation system changes through formal change-control procedures.
• Ensure software licensing compliance.
• Conduct automation and industrial network audits and implement corrective actions.
• Lead and participate in Root Cause Analysis investigations.
• Manage automation-related spare parts and inventory.
• Perform PLC, HMI and SCADA programming, commissioning and testing.
• Participate in automation and engineering projects as project leader or team member.
• Work with other departments to provide effective technical support and meet operational requirements.

Skills

PLC programming

Siemens PLC

HMI

SCADA

Industrial networks

Troubleshooting

Root Cause Analysis

Preventative Maintenance

Commissioning

Testing

Change Control

Continuous Improvement

Education

Electrical Engineering

Electronic Engineering

Mechatronics

Industrial Automation

Related field

Tools

Siemens PLC platforms

HMIs/SCADA tooling

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Automation Technician to join a manufacturing environment and take responsibility for maintaining, supporting and improving plant automation systems.

The successful candidate will play an important role in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of automation equipment, supporting manufacturing operations, troubleshooting technical issues and contributing to automation and engineering projects.

The role will also involve managing industrial networks, implementing continuous improvement initiatives and supporting capital projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain and update the automation asset register.

• Ensure automation equipment is correctly incorporated into the maintenance management system.

• Review and update preventative maintenance schedules and job cards.

• Perform and verify routine automation system backups.

• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities to reduce process losses and improve efficiency.

• Provide technical support and troubleshooting during major equipment breakdowns.

• Manage automation system changes through formal change-control procedures.

• Ensure software licensing compliance.

• Conduct automation and industrial network audits and implement corrective actions.

• Lead and participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations.

• Manage automation-related spare parts and inventory.

• Perform PLC, HMI and SCADA programming, commissioning and testing.

• Participate in automation and engineering projects as either a project leader or team member.

• Work closely with other departments to provide effective technical support and meet operational requirements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• National Diploma or Degree in:

  • Electrical Engineering

  • Electronic Engineering

  • Mechatronics

  • Industrial Automation

  • or a related field.

• Minimum 5 years' experience within an industrial automation environment.

• Proven experience in PLC programming and control systems.

• Siemens PLC experience is essential.

• Experience with HMI and SCADA platforms.

• Experience with industrial networks and communication protocols.

• Strong analytical and technical troubleshooting skills.

• Excellent problem-solving ability.

The ideal candidate will be a technically strong and analytical Automation Technician who is comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. They should be confident troubleshooting complex automation issues, working with PLC, HMI and SCADA systems, and contributing to projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively across departments are important, as the role requires regular interaction with internal stakeholders and participation in cross-functional engineering projects.

KEY TECHNICAL SKILLS

PLC Programming | Siemens PLC | HMI | SCADA | Industrial Networks | Automation Systems | Troubleshooting | Root Cause Analysis | Preventative Maintenance | Commissioning | Testing | Change Control | Continuous Improvement

Please note: Siemens PLC experience and a minimum of 5 years' industrial automation experience are essential requirements for this position.