Group Principal Engineer: C&I & AI Strategy Lead

Sabenza IT & Recruitment; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 2,000,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Sabenza IT & Recruitment seeks a Group Principal Engineer: Control & Instrumentation to lead OT and AI strategy across mining operations. You will define roadmaps, converge automation architectures, and improve cybersecurity while guiding the group’s senior technical direction.

You will provide expert consultancy on PLC/DCS/SCADA, Digital Twins, and AI-powered processes, mentoring engineers and driving governance and high-impact projects across sites.

Qualifications

• BEng/BSc in Electronic, Mechatronic or Electrical Engineering (control) with AI/ML studies a strong advantage.
• Minimum 10 years in C&I within mining or heavy industry, with proven leadership of large-scale digital or automation projects.
• At least 5 years in a senior engineering management role.
• Deep experience applying AI to industrial processes and integrating AI/ML into process control.
• Hands-on capability with Python, PLC coding and C++ for advanced control applications.
• Broad knowledge of HSE requirements relevant to mining and processing operations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder skills.
• Detail-oriented, self-driven and results-focused.

Responsibilities

• Define the technical direction for C&I and AI across operations.
• Lead the governed convergence of traditional automation, IT and AI architectures.
• Drive secure improvements in operational processes and cybersecurity.
• Act as the group’s senior technical authority on advanced control, digital platforms and AI in operations.
• Review AI and OT capital projects for governance; deliver quarterly and annual reports.
• Mentor senior engineers and foster learning in C&I, data science and cybersecurity.

Skills

Python

PLC programming

C++

AI in industry

Predictive analytics

Digital Twins

Stakeholder management

Decision making

Education

BEng/BSc in Electronic/Mechatronic/Electrical Eng (control)

Master’s or AI/ML studies

Tools

Python

PLC coding

C++

Job description

Sabenza IT & Recruitment seeks a Group Principal Engineer: Control & Instrumentation to lead OT and AI strategy across mining operations. You will define roadmaps, converge automation architectures, and improve cybersecurity while guiding the group’s senior technical direction.

You will provide expert consultancy on PLC/DCS/SCADA, Digital Twins, and AI-powered processes, mentoring engineers and driving governance and high-impact projects across sites.