Electrical Systems Engineer - Industrial Controls

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Training opportunities

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, is seeking an Electrical Systems Engineer to join a hybrid design and hands-on role. You will design, implement, and support electrical control systems for advanced industrial equipment, collaborating with mechanical and software teams to ensure seamless integration.

The ideal candidate has a degree in Electrical Engineering, at least 4 years of experience with PLCs, HMIs, and safety standards, and thrives in a dynamic, innovation-driven environment

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 4 years' experience in designing and implementing industrial electrical control systems.
• Proficient in PLC programming software (Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000) and HMI development.
• Strong knowledge of industrial communication protocols (Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus).
• Experience with electrical design software (AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN).
• Understanding of functional safety principles and standards (ISO 13849, IEC 61508).
• Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Willingness to work on-site in Stellenbosch with hybrid schedule.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop electrical control panels and systems for industrial machinery, including schematics, wiring diagrams, and component selection.
• Program and configure PLCs, HMIs, and VFDs.
• Implement and maintain industrial automation solutions, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and safety.
• Conduct root cause analysis for electrical system failures and implement corrective actions.
• Perform electrical system testing, validation, and commissioning activities.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers and software developers to ensure seamless integration of electrical and control systems.
• Ensure all designs comply with relevant electrical codes, standards (IEC 60204, NFPA 79), and safety regulations.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including design specifications, user manuals, and troubleshooting guides.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing, service, and sales teams.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in industrial automation and control technologies.
• Participate in design reviews and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Industrial automation

Electrical design tools

Functional safety

Industrial protocols

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Hybrid work readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

Rockwell Studio 5000

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a well-established manufacturer of specialized industrial equipment, is looking for a skilled Electrical Systems Engineer to join their team in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, ZA . This is a hybrid role that blends office-based design and analysis with hands‑on work on the factory floor. You will be responsible for the design, development, implementation, and support of electrical control systems for our innovative product lines. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of industrial automation, PLCs, HMI, and safety systems, coupled with excellent problem solving skills. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge technology in a collaborative environment, with the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop electrical control panels and systems for industrial machinery, including schematics, wiring diagrams, and component selection.
• Program and configure Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs).
• Implement and maintain industrial automation solutions, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and safety.
• Conduct root cause analysis for electrical system failures and implement corrective actions.
• Perform electrical system testing, validation, and commissioning activities.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers and software developers to ensure seamless integration of electrical and control systems.
• Ensure all designs comply with relevant electrical codes, standards (e.g., IEC 60204, NFPA 79), and safety regulations.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including design specifications, user manuals, and troubleshooting guides.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing, service, and sales teams.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in industrial automation and control technologies.
• Participate in design reviews and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field (e.g., Mechatronics).
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in designing and implementing industrial electrical control systems.
• Proficiency in PLC programming software (e.g., Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000) and HMI development tools.
• Strong knowledge of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus).
• Experience with electrical design software (e.g., AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN) is essential.
• Understanding of functional safety principles and standards (e.g., ISO 13849, IEC 61508).
• Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a hybrid setting.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Familiarity with robotics and motion control systems is a plus.
• Willingness to work on‑site in Stellenbosch as required by the hybrid schedule.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Retirement fund with company contribution.
• Opportunities for professional development and advanced training.
• A dynamic and innovative work environment.
• Generous paid annual leave.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art technology and equipment.