Electrical Controls Engineer

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Training and certification

Career advancement opportunities

Stable work environment

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria seeks an Electrical Controls Engineer to join a well‑established manufacturing operation. The role centers on designing, implementing, and maintaining advanced electrical control systems for industrial automation and production processes to boost efficiency, reliability, and safety on site.

The ideal candidate is hands-on, with 5+ years in automation and strong PLC/HMI experience, ready to collaborate with mechanical teams and operations for robust, high‑performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years in industrial automation and control systems engineering.
• Proficiency in PLC programming languages (Ladder Logic, Structured Text) for major brands (Siemens, Allen-Bradley).
• Experience with HMI/SCADA software and VFD configuration.
• Strong understanding of industrial protocols and electrical safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop electrical control systems, including PLC programming and HMI development.
• Create and maintain detailed electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Install, commission, and troubleshoot control systems on the factory floor.
• Collaborate with mechanical design teams and operations personnel for seamless integration.
• Implement safety standards and perform maintenance/upgrades to extend equipment lifespan.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics

Tools

PLC programming (Ladder Logic, Structured Text)

HMI/SCADA

VFD configuration

Industrial protocols (Profibus, Ethernet/IP)

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a dedicated Electrical Controls Engineer to join their established team in Pretoria. This role focuses on the design, implementation, and maintenance of sophisticated control systems for industrial automation and manufacturing processes. You will play a critical part in enhancing operational efficiency, reliability, and safety through expertly designed electrical control solutions. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with a strong aptitude for automation technologies and a commitment to delivering robust, high-performance systems within a collaborative, office-based environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop electrical control systems, including PLC programming, HMI development, and VFD configuration, for automated machinery and processes.
• Create and maintain detailed electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and documentation for all control systems, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Install, commission, and troubleshoot control systems on the factory floor, minimizing downtime and resolving technical issues promptly.
• Collaborate with mechanical design teams and operations personnel to ensure seamless integration of control systems with overall plant equipment.
• Implement safety standards and best practices in all control system designs and installations, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
• Perform regular maintenance and upgrades on existing control systems to improve performance and extend equipment lifespan within the Pretoria facility.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial automation and control systems engineering .
• Proficiency in PLC programming languages (e.g., Ladder Logic, Structured Text) for major brands (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley).
• Experience with HMI/SCADA software and Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) configuration.
• Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Profibus, Ethernet/IP) and electrical safety standards .
• Excellent diagnostic and problem-solving skills, with a practical, hands-on approach to engineering.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for training and certification in leading automation technologies.
• A stable and supportive work environment within a well-regarded manufacturing operation in Gauteng .
• Potential for career advancement within the engineering department.