Control Technician

Hulamin; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 720,000 - 950,000; Full time

Job summary

Hulamin in Pietermaritzburg is seeking a skilled automation and control technician to optimise plant reliability and product quality. You will maintain, calibrate, fault-find and upgrade PLCs, drives and SCADA systems, while collaborating with maintenance and operations teams.

The role emphasizes safety, change control and documentation, with opportunities to lead capital projects and contribute to continuous improvement across Plate Plant.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, sustain, calibrate, fault-find and optimise PLCs, drives, SCADA systems, instrumentation, actuators and industrial communication networks.
• Monitor equipment and systems performance, analyse downtime and process trends, and initiate corrective and preventative actions.
• Design, develop, test and modify control systems, software, HMI applications and technical test procedures.
• Provide breakdown support and lead structured root cause analysis with Maintenance, Operations and Process teams.
• Develop maintenance plans, MAXIMO checklists, SOPs and fault-finding guides for automation and control systems.
• Plan and coordinate shutdown work, technical resources, spares, contractors, quality checks and safe start-up activities.
• Lead or participate in automation upgrades, capital projects, equipment commissioning and modification control.
• Specify and support the procurement of control equipment, evaluate technical quotations and liaise with suppliers and OEMs.
• Ensure statutory checks and calibrations are completed accurately, timeously and supported by appropriate records and certificates.
• Provide technical coaching, training and specialist support to artisans, trainees and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, programming, change-control and governance requirements.

Job description

PURPOSE OF ROLE

To optimise plant reliability, process capability and product quality through the maintenance, calibration, fault-finding, programming and continuous improvement of automation, control and instrumentation systems within Plate Plant.

PURPOSE OF ROLE

To optimise plant reliability, process capability and product quality through the maintenance, calibration, fault-finding, programming and continuous improvement of automation, control and instrumentation systems within Plate Plant.

Key Performance Areas And Responsibilities

• Maintain, sustain, calibrate, fault-find and optimise PLCs, drives, SCADA systems, instrumentation, actuators and industrial communication networks.
• Monitor equipment and systems performance, analyse downtime and process trends, and initiate corrective and preventative actions.
• Design, develop, test and modify control systems, software, HMI applications and technical test procedures.
• Provide breakdown support and lead structured root cause analysis with Maintenance, Operations and Process teams.
• Develop maintenance plans, MAXIMO checklists, SOPs and fault-finding guides for automation and control systems.
• Plan and coordinate shutdown work, technical resources, spares, contractors, quality checks and safe start-up activities.
• Lead or participate in automation upgrades, capital projects, equipment commissioning and modification control.
• Specify and support the procurement of control equipment, evaluate technical quotations and liaise with suppliers and OEMs.
• Ensure statutory checks and calibrations are completed accurately, timeously and supported by appropriate records and certificates.
• Provide technical coaching, training and specialist support to artisans, trainees and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, programming, change-control and governance requirements.