Industrial Engineer - Operations Research Specialist

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

competitive salary

comprehensive health benefits

retirement planning options

professional development support

fully remote work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa is seeking an innovative Industrial Engineer with a specialization in Operations Research to join our fully remote team. This role focuses on advanced mathematical modeling to improve decision-making across resources, scheduling, and forecasting, with emphasis on practical, actionable insights.

You will develop optimization models, run simulations, and translate complex data into clear recommendations for stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in OR, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics or related field.
• Minimum 5 years applying operations research techniques to real-world problems.
• Strong proficiency in modeling and optimization software (CPLEX, Gurobi, AMPL).
• Experience with simulation tools (Arena/AnyLogic) and Python or R.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain mathematical models for optimization, simulation, and forecasting.
• Apply OR techniques (linear programming, integer programming, queuing theory, simulation) to business problems.
• Analyze large datasets to identify patterns and optimization opportunities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate requirements into modeling tasks.
• Design and conduct simulation experiments to evaluate strategies.
• Develop scripts or software tools to support modeling and automation.
• Present findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay updated on OR and industrial engineering advancements.
• Contribute to data-driven decision-making frameworks.

Skills

Optimization modeling

Data analytics

Python

Education

Master's or PhD in OR/IE/Math

Tools

CPLEX

Gurobi

AMPL

Arena

AnyLogic

Python

R

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative Industrial Engineer with a specialization in Operations Research to join their fully remote team. This role will focus on applying advanced mathematical modeling and analytical techniques to solve complex business challenges. You will be instrumental in developing sophisticated algorithms and optimization models to improve decision-making across various functions, including resource allocation, scheduling, and forecasting. The ideal candidate is a highly analytical individual with a passion for quantitative methods and a proven ability to translate abstract models into practical, actionable insights. Working remotely, you will collaborate with diverse teams to drive efficiency and strategic advantage for our operations in the **Northern Cape** region and beyond. This position is perfect for a self‑motivated engineer looking to leverage their expertise in a flexible, impactful role.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain mathematical models for optimization, simulation, and forecasting.
• Apply operations research techniques (e.g., linear programming, integer programming, queuing theory, simulation) to solve complex business problems.
• Analyze large datasets to identify patterns, trends, and opportunities for optimization.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their challenges and translate them into modeling requirements.
• Design and conduct simulation experiments to evaluate the performance of different operational strategies.
• Develop software tools or scripts to support modeling efforts and automate analytical processes.
• Present complex analytical findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in operations research and industrial engineering.
• Contribute to the development of data-driven decision-making frameworks.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience applying operations research techniques to real‑world problems.
• Strong proficiency in mathematical modeling and optimization software (e.g., CPLEX, Gurobi, AMPL).
• Expertise in simulation software (e.g., Arena, AnyLogic) and statistical programming languages (e.g., Python with libraries like SciPy, NumPy, Pandas, R).
• Solid understanding of algorithms, data structures, and statistical analysis.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage projects effectively in a remote environment.

Benefits

• competitive salary
• comprehensive health benefits
• retirement planning options
• professional development support
• the significant advantage of a fully remote work arrangement

We provide a flexible work environment that allows for optimal productivity and work-life integration.