Group Principal Engineer

NTT DATA, Inc.; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

NTT DATA, Inc. in Johannesburg is seeking a Group Principal Engineer for Control & Instrumentation to lead OT/AI convergence across mining operations, delivering secure, federated architectures.

The role emphasizes governance, low-code digital platforms, and AI-powered process control with DCS/SCADA, Digital Twins, and cybersecurity hardening.

You will guide roadmaps, mentor teams, and ensure compliance with international standards while delivering measurable improvements.

Qualifications

• Matric and a BEng/BSc in Electronic, Mechatronic, or Electrical Engineering (Control focus).
• Professional engineer registration.
• 10+ years in C&I within mining or heavy industry, with 5+ years in senior engineering management.
• Experience with AI-powered industrial processes and integration of AI/ML into process control.
• Knowledge of Python, PLC coding, and C++ for advanced control applications.

Responsibilities

• Define short, medium and long-term technical roadmaps for C&I and AI across operations.
• Provide consultancy on complex control system architectures and AI integration with Digital Twins.
• Drive digital transformation via low-code platforms.
• Oversee OT and AI governance and cybersecurity controls.
• Develop and maintain OT/AI policies, standards, and procedures.
• Ensure architectures comply with international OT and AI standards.
• Conduct security risk assessments on OT networks and AI systems.
• Respond to security incidents and assist in disaster recovery.
• Lead OT and IT steering committees and report on governance.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cybersecurity governance

Stakeholder management

AI/ML knowledge

Industrial automation

Education

Matric

BEng/BSc in Electronic, Mechatronic, or Electrical Engineering (Control focus)

Master's degree or AI/ML coursework

Professional engineer registration

Tools

Python

PLC coding

C++

DCS/SCADA

Job description

Summary of Role

We are seeking a Group Principal Engineer for Control & Instrumentation (C&I) to spearhead the adoption of operational technology (OT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the group. The role will ensure governed convergence of traditional industrial automation, information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence architectures to improve operational processes in a secure manner while minimising cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Define the short, medium and long-term technical roadmaps for C&I and AI across operations, moving from isolated site-based interventions to integrated, federated systems.

• AI & Automation: Provide technical specialist consultancy on the development and implementation of complex advanced control system architectures (PLC, DCS, SCADA) and ensure seamless integration with Digital Twins for real-time simulation and decision support.

• Digital Transformation: Drive the shift toward low-code integrated digital platforms to empower developers across the organisation to bring to bear innovative solutions from already deployed operational technology systems.

• OT and AI Governance: Provide effective oversight and assurance on the design, implementation and maintenance of cybersecurity security controls.

• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and standards for the OT environment and AI landscape

• Deployed architectures to comply with evolving international standards and best practices for OT and AI systems to minimise operational and business risk.

• Security risk assessments to be performed on Industrial Control Networks, OT infrastructure, AI systems, and applications to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses
• Respond to security incidents, assisting in the containment, eradication, and recovery phases. Knowledge of disaster recovery, computer forensic tools, technologies and methods

• OT and AI Projects: Conduct technical reviews on proposed AI and OT capital projects to ensure the business cases and associated technically solution are sound and rational, and meet the governance requirements.

• Deliver quarterly and annual reports on AI and OT governance.

• Convenor of OT and IT working group steering committees.

Qualifications

• Matric and a BEng/BSc in Electronic, Mechatronic, or Electrical Engineering (Control focus). A Master's degree or recent further studies in AI/Machine Learning will be highly advantageous.
• Professional engineer registration
• Minimum of 10 years in C&I within mining or heavy industry, with a proven track record of leading large-scale digital or automation projects, with at least 5 years in a senior engineering management role.
• Deep experience in AI-powered industrial processes, predictive analytics, and the integration of AI/ML into process control. Familiarity with Python, PLC coding, C++ for advanced control applications is essential.
• Proven project management experience.
• Broad knowledge of HSE compliance requirements applicable to mining and processing operations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and relationship management skills.
• Detail-oriented, self-driven, and results-focused.