Control Technology Specialist

Valterra Platinum; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful work

Market-aligned rewards

Learning & progression

Diversity & inclusion

Safe operations commitment

Job summary

Valterra Platinum in Johannesburg is seeking a senior functional safety engineer to lead the development and delivery of the C&I safety program across mining operations.

You will design, implement, and maintain safety instrumented systems, mentor technical teams, and ensure compliance with IEC61508/61511 standards.

Qualifications

• Relevant graduate degree in Electrical/Electronic or Computer Engineering.
• 5-7 years experience in control and instrumentation environments.
• Desirable: Functional safety qualification (e.g. exida/TUV).
• Desirable: Pr Eng/Tech registration.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the functional safety framework within Valterra Platinum.
• Define C&I and automation strategy aligned to mining and processing focus areas.
• Audit field instruments and PLC level for control and automation technology.
• Lead R&D and portfolio management to support automation strategy.
• Provide technical leadership on automation SIB and Capex projects.
• Ensure compliance with hardware/software standards across PGM operations.

Skills

Functional safety

Control systems design

Leadership / line management

Project management

Safety Instrumented Systems

Risk management

IEC61508/61511 knowledge

Siemens PLC

Rockwell PLC

Education

BEng/Tech in Electrical/Electronic or Computer Engineering

Functional safety qualification (desirable)

Pr Eng/Tech registration (desirable)

Tools

Siemens PLC

Rockwell PLC

Control system training

Job description

Company Description

Valterra Platinum, formerly Anglo American Platinum, is a leading primary producer of platinum group metals (PGMs), with integrated mining, smelting, and refining operations in South Africa and Zimbabwe, marketing the metal we produce globally. Following our demerger from Anglo American plc, Valterra Platinum is now an independent, publicly listed company with a primary and secondary listing on the Johannesburg and London stock exchanges respectively.

As we embark on this exciting new chapter, Valterra Platinum is positioned to define and pursue its own strategy, anchored in operational excellence, sustainability, and value creation for the long-term. With full accountability for our performance and growth, we are focused on strengthening our capabilities across the entire PGM value chain, from mine to market. Our independence empowers us to deepen our commitment to stakeholders and lead with purpose – to Unearth Value to Better Our World. We remain steadfast in our ambition to be the world’s foremost producer of platinum group metals, while embedding safety and sustainability in everything we do. If you’re driven by purpose and the opportunity to make a lasting impact, we invite you to join us. This role is based at 144 Oxford road, Melrose.

Job Description

The role will be responsible for providing the required control and functional safety expert support to the operating and central units. Amongst others a direct expert technical support to the four functional areas within the process control department on the applicable technology segment. The specialist function will be over and above their duties to design, implement and maintain control solutions.

Performance and Delivery

• Develop the functional safety function within Valterra Platinum.
• Assist in defining the C&I and automation technical strategy in the applicable mining and processing focus areas and ensure its implementation.
• Align the C&I and automation strategy with the corporate and production drivers.
• Develop and maintain the C&I and automation strategy documents to support and develop applicable and new technology focus for use by both central and production control teams.
• Define best practise in specific C&I and automation technological focus areas.
• Establish network of excellence in the applicable industry to support technical focus areas.
• Audit & benchmark field instrument, network, I/O up to PLC level for the control and automation technology segments.
• Review operational efficiency versus control and automation system objectives.
• Define required support structures to ensure sustainability of applicable control and automation technology areas.
• Benchmark technology deployed and results achieved against the industry standards and best practises.
• Manage and Direct Research & Development project in the automation technology focus areas.
• Manage applicable Research and Development portfolio as instructed to support the automation technology strategy.
• Identify suitable control and automation technology centres of excellence to support technology strategy.
• Align R&D output with the automation technology strategy.
• Provide reports and perform controls audits for improvement.
• Ensure application of correct Standards for hardware and software system to support all C&I and automation fields across the PGM business areas
• Participate in the technical feedback on site.
• Perform the technical lead function on all automation SIB and Capex projects.
• Support design, execution and commissioning of all C&I and automation projects

Qualifications

Relevant graduate degree, BEng/Tech in Electrical/Electronic or Computer Engineering

Desirable: Functional safety qualification (e.g. exida / TUV)

Desirable: Pr Eng/Tech registration

Experience

• 5-7 years working experience in relevant control and instrumentation environment

Technical Knowledge (experience) Required For Role

• Functional safety systems
• Extensive experience in the design, implementation and maintenance of control solutions
• Experience in Line Management of technical teams
• Advance Project Management skills
• Design and upkeep of safety instrumented systems
• Proficient knowledge on relevant standards and codes of practice, including IEC61508/61511
• Advanced skills in risk management controls
• Siemens and Rockwell PLC and control system training and experience

What We Offer

At Valterra Platinum, you will join a team committed to excellence and impact

We Offer

• Meaningful work in a high-performance, values-led environment.
• Market-aligned reward and recognition.
• Opportunities for learning, development and progression.
• A culture that respects diversity and encourages innovation.
• A clear commitment to safe Operations.

Inclusion and Diversity

Valterra Platinum is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfill their potential.

Valterra Platinum has a zero tolerance to dignity harms, these include all acts of gender based violence, bullying, harassment and victimisation. Ensuring the safety of our employees extends beyond physical safety and includes the eradication of harmful behaviours from our workplace. This responsibility extends to everyone at Valterra Platinum both during work hours and outside of work. We are unconditional in creating a respectful, inclusive, and safe working environment to ensure that no colleague will be violated or harassed under our watch.

Closing Date

02 October 2026