Control Systems Engineer - Energy Sector

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 650,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Generous leave policy

Advanced technical training

Exposure to advanced automation

Supportive work environment

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Control Systems Engineer to join our client in Klerksdorp, North West. The role focuses on designing, implementing, and maintaining advanced control systems for energy generation and distribution, ensuring safety and reliability.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in industrial control, strong PLC/HMI/DCS experience, and a solid grasp of Modbus/Profibus protocols. The position is hybrid with on-site collaboration and remote planning flexibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years designing and implementing industrial control systems in energy.
• Proficiency with PLC programming (Siemens, Siemens/Allen-Bradley) and HMI development.
• Experience with Distributed Control Systems (DCS) is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of Modbus/Profibus protocols and power system operations.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Willingness to travel to project sites.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement PLC, DCS, and SCADA systems for energy facilities.
• Configure and program industrial automation controllers and HMIs.
• Develop and maintain control logic, algorithms, and system documentation.
• Perform system integration, testing, and commissioning of control systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve control system issues remotely and on-site.
• Optimize control strategies to improve efficiency, reliability, and safety.
• Collaborate with electrical and mechanical engineers to define requirements.
• Stay current with emerging automation technologies and standards.
• Ensure cybersecurity and safety compliance in control systems.
• Provide technical support and training to operations personnel.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

Siemens PLC programming

Allen-Bradley PLC programming

HMI development

DCS systems

Modbus/Profibus protocols

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a talented Control Systems Engineer to join their team in Klerksdorp, North West. This role focuses on the design, implementation, and maintenance of sophisticated control systems for energy generation and distribution facilities. You will be instrumental in ensuring the optimal performance, safety, and reliability of our power infrastructure through advanced automation solutions. This is a hybrid position, requiring regular collaboration at the Klerksdorp site while allowing for some remote work flexibility for planning and analysis. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in electrical engineering, programming, and automation technologies specific to the energy industry. Be part of a team driving operational excellence and technological advancement.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement PLC, DCS, and SCADA systems for energy facilities.
• Configure and program industrial automation controllers and human-machine interfaces (HMIs).
• Develop and maintain control logic, algorithms, and system documentation.
• Perform system integration, testing, and commissioning of control systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve control system issues, both remotely and on-site.
• Optimize control strategies to improve system efficiency, reliability, and safety.
• Collaborate with electrical and mechanical engineers to define control system requirements.
• Stay current with emerging technologies in industrial automation and control systems.
• Ensure adherence to industry standards, safety regulations, and cybersecurity best practices.
• Provide technical support and training to operations and maintenance personnel.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in designing and implementing industrial control systems, preferably in the energy sector.
• Proficiency with PLC programming (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley) and HMI development.
• Experience with Distributed Control Systems (DCS) is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, Profibus).
• Knowledge of power system operations and automation is a plus.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks in a dynamic environment.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as needed.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive health insurance plan.
• Retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Generous leave policy.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advanced technical training.
• Exposure to state-of-the‑art automation technologies.
• Supportive work environment.
• Potential for career advancement within the organization.