Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer

Assign Services (Pty) Ltd; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

A tissue manufacturing company in Kempton Park is seeking a highly capable Electrical and Instrumentation Engineer to lead their team. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing E&I systems and maintenance operations, ensuring compliance with local standards, and optimizing plant performance. A minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing is required, along with relevant qualifications. This role offers opportunities for professional development and teamwork.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience as a Control and Instrumentation Engineer in manufacturing or FMCG.
• Valid driver’s license and own transport required.
• Experience with MCC, LV, and MV reticulation standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the electrical and instrumentation team.
• Ensure smooth and efficient maintenance operations at the factory.
• Forecast and manage maintenance budgets and expenditures.

Skills

Problem-solving abilities

Team management

Analytical skills

Strong verbal communication

Education

BEng / BSc Eng degree in Electrical, Electronic, or Mechatronic Engineering

Tools

Siemens PLCs

Rockwell Automation / Allen Bradley

Mitsubishi PLCs

Job description

A Tissue manufacturing company in Spartan Kempton Park is seeking a highly capable Electrical and Instrumentation Engineer.

This role will report to the Engineering and Maintenance Manager. The incumbent will lead and manage the electrical and instrumentation team, and will be responsible for electrical and instrumentation systems, safety systems, maintenance, and repairs of electrical equipment within the manufacturing facilities, aligning with the company's overall objectives. The individual will contribute to asset care development plans and lead electrical and instrumentation scope of work on projects.

THE POSITION

Reporting to the Engineering & Maintenance Manager, the incumbent must:

• Be passionate about the electrical and instrumentation engineering field with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and be flexible to respond to changing business conditions.
• Have a proven track record of managing E&I teams, be goal-oriented, and focus on KPIs such as OEE, availability, MTBF, MTTR, safety, and cost. Be proactive in maintenance scheduling, shutdown planning, rapid response to breakdowns, and root cause analysis.
• Be capable of managing and coordinating projects, taking responsibility and ownership of the plant within their scope.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Ensuring smooth and efficient maintenance operations at the Jumbo Centre factory.
• Implementing good maintenance standards to minimize downtime and costs.
• Drawing up and maintaining maintenance schedules for all equipment.
• Inspecting plant sections regularly and developing action plans based on demands on the electrical department.
• Performing fault finding to optimize plant efficiency and conducting root cause analysis to reduce breakdown hours.
• Identifying process improvements through modifications or replacements of plant equipment.
• Programming, designing, and modifying PLC, DCS, and industrial computer network systems, and establishing protocols for these systems.
• Attending FATs for E&I and projects, testing newly installed machinery to ensure specifications are met.
• Forecasting and managing maintenance budgets and expenditures.
• Generating reports on generator diesel consumption, electricity usage, etc.
• Overseeing commissioning and operation of C&I systems and components.
• Reviewing electrical engineering documentation and drawings.
• Engaging with consulting engineers and managing them as needed.
• Preparing Capex applications for improvement projects.
• Maintaining a clean and organized work environment in line with 5S principles.
• Ensuring contractor compliance with company standards and procedures.
• Informing management of potential downtime situations and taking remedial actions.
• Negotiating with suppliers, ensuring specifications and standards are met.
• Occasionally working outside normal hours for support, including call-outs.
• Performing other tasks as assigned by the Engineering Manager.
• Working effectively in a team and sharing knowledge.
• Demonstrating good interpersonal skills and a practical approach to problem-solving.
• Committing to ongoing professional development.

QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of a BEng / BSc Eng degree in Electrical, Electronic, or Mechatronic Engineering.
• At least 5+ years’ experience as a Control and Instrumentation Engineer, preferably within manufacturing or FMCG sectors; pulp and paper experience is advantageous.
• A valid driver’s license and own transport.
• Experience with MCC, LV, and MV reticulation standards.
• Knowledge of local standards (SANS, OSHA) and familiarity with Siemens, Rockwell Automation / Allen Bradley, and Mitsubishi PLCs and hardware.
• Ability to troubleshoot and maintain DCS databases, software, and configurations of Siemens PLCs or similar systems.
• Knowledge of Fieldbus and industrial communication protocols such as Profibus DP/PA, Profinet, and Ethernet/IP is advantageous.
• Experience in procurement, installation, and construction of control and instrumentation systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

RELATIONSHIPS

• E&I Foreman
• Mechanical Foreman
• Production Team Leaders
• Production Manager

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Asset OEE above target
• Decreasing failure rates for major equipment
• Effective maintenance programs and proactive practices
• Root Cause Failure Analysis programs in place and effective