Control Systems Engineer - Power Plant Automation

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid and retirement annuity

Paid time off and holidays

Specialized training and growth

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, is seeking a Control Systems Engineer to design, implement, and optimize automation for power generation plants. This hybrid role blends office design work with hands-on duties in the plant environment, focusing on reliability, safety, and cybersecurity of industrial control systems.

You will lead PLC/DCS programming, SCADA/HMI development, test plans, and cross‑functional collaboration with instrumentation and electrical teams, with occasional site

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in control systems engineering, with a focus on industrial automation.
• Proven experience with PLC programming (Siemens, Allen-Bradley) and DCS platforms.
• Proficiency in SCADA system configuration and HMI development.
• Experience in power generation or heavy industry is advantageous.
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (Modbus, Profibus).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities; good communication and teamwork.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices for industrial control systems.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to other company sites.

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and program PLCs and DCS for power plant operations.
• Develop and maintain SCADA systems for real-time monitoring and control.
• Implement and troubleshoot automation hardware and software for reliability.
• Collaborate with instrumentation and electrical teams to integrate systems.
• Develop and execute test plans for software and hardware upgrades.
• Perform root-cause analysis of control system failures and corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and cybersecurity protocols.
• Create and maintain technical documentation including P&IDs and diagrams.
• Coordinate with plant operations to optimize system performance.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies in industrial automation.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA

HMI development

Cybersecurity best practices

Analytical skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

Siemens

Allen-Bradley

DCS platforms

SCADA systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the energy generation sector, is seeking a skilled Control Systems Engineer to join their operations team. This role, located in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, focuses on the design, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of sophisticated control systems for power generation plants. You will be responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of plant machinery through advanced automation. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in industrial automation, PLC programming, SCADA systems, and experience within the energy industry. This position offers a blend of office-based engineering design and hands‑on work within the power plant environment, utilizing a hybrid work model. You will contribute to maintaining and enhancing the performance of critical energy infrastructure in the Mossel Bay region.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and program Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Distributed Control Systems (DCS) for power plant operations.
• Develop and maintain SCADA systems for real-time monitoring, data acquisition, and control.
• Implement and troubleshoot automation hardware and software, ensuring system reliability.
• Work with instrumentation and electrical teams to integrate control systems with plant equipment.
• Develop and execute test plans for control system software and hardware upgrades.
• Perform root cause analysis of control system failures and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and cybersecurity protocols for industrial control systems.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including P&IDs, logic diagrams, and user manuals.
• Collaborate with plant operations and maintenance teams to optimize system performance.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies in industrial automation and control.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in control systems engineering, with a focus on industrial automation.
• Proven experience with PLC programming (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley) and DCS platforms.
• Proficiency in SCADA system configuration and HMI development.
• Experience in the power generation or heavy industry sector is highly advantageous.
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, Profibus).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices for industrial control systems.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to other company sites.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with potential for performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement annuity.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for specialized training and professional growth.
• Relocation assistance for successful candidates relocating to Mossel Bay, Western Cape.
• Key role in ensuring the operational efficiency of vital energy infrastructure.