Control Systems Engineer - Industrial Automation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive medical aid

Provident fund

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Soweto, Gauteng, is seeking a Control Systems Engineer to design, implement, and maintain industrial control systems including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and DCS. You will troubleshoot automation issues, collaborate with process and maintenance teams, ensure safety standards, and document configurations and procedures.

The role requires a hands-on engineer with a degree in electrical/mechatronics or similar and at least four years of relevant experience in a demanding industrial

Qualifications

• A National Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, or related discipline.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in control systems engineering, PLC programming, and HMI/SCADA development.
• Proficiency in programming logic for major PLC platforms (e.g., Siemens S7, Allen-Bradley ControlLogix).
• Experience with SCADA software (Wonderware, Ignition) and HMI design tools.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and program PLC logic for industrial automation applications.
• Configure and maintain HMIs and SCADA systems for process monitoring and control.
• Implement and troubleshoot DCS where applicable.
• Develop and maintain system documentation, including logic diagrams, network layouts, and operating procedures.
• Perform system testing, commissioning, and validation of control systems.
• Diagnose and resolve complex control system faults and operational issues.
• Collaborate with maintenance teams to support downtime and improvements.
• Ensure adherence to safety standards, regulations, and company policies.
• Stay updated with advancements in control technologies and propose improvements.
• Provide technical support to operations and maintenance personnel.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA development

Troubleshooting

Schematic reading

Education

Electrical Engineering

Mechatronics

Industrial Automation

Tools

Siemens S7

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix

Wonderware

Ignition

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant player in the manufacturing and process industries, is seeking a skilled Control Systems Engineer to join their operations team in Soweto, Gauteng . This role is crucial for the design, implementation, configuration, and maintenance of industrial control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and DCS. You will be responsible for ensuring the reliable and efficient operation of automated processes, troubleshooting system issues, and implementing upgrades to enhance performance and safety. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of automation principles, programming logic, and industrial hardware. This position requires a hands‑on approach and the ability to work effectively within a demanding industrial environment. Collaboration with process engineers and maintenance teams is essential for success.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and program PLC logic for various industrial automation applications.
• Configure and maintain Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) and SCADA systems for process monitoring and control.
• Implement and troubleshoot Distributed Control Systems (DCS) where applicable.
• Develop and maintain system documentation, including logic diagrams, network layouts, and operating procedures.
• Perform system testing, commissioning, and validation of control systems.
• Diagnose and resolve complex control system faults and operational issues.
• Collaborate with maintenance teams to support planned and unplanned system downtime.
• Ensure all control system implementations adhere to safety standards, industry regulations, and company policies.
• Stay updated with advancements in control system technologies and recommend improvements.
• Provide technical support and guidance to operations and maintenance personnel.

Requirements

A National Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, or a related discipline. Minimum of 4 years of experience in control systems engineering, PLC programming, and HMI/SCADA development. Proficiency in programming logic for major PLC platforms (e.g., Siemens S7, Allen-Bradley ControlLogix). Experience with SCADA software (e.g., Wonderware, Ignition) and HMI design tools. Understanding of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Profinet, Modbus, Ethernet/IP). Knowledge of process instrumentation and variable speed drives (VSDs) is an advantage. Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem solving skills. Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and control system diagrams. Good communication and teamwork skills. Must be based in or willing to relocate to the Soweto area and available for site-based work.

Benefits

• competitive salary
• comprehensive medical aid
• a provident fund
• opportunities for professional development and training in the latest automation technologies.

This role provides the chance to work on challenging and diverse projects within a key industrial hub. We are committed to employee growth and development, fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment. This is an excellent opportunity for a driven control systems engineer to build a stable career in the industrial automation sector.