Industrial Engineer - Process Automation

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 750,000 - 1,050,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an innovative Industrial Engineer with expertise in Process Automation to join our East London team in the Eastern Cape. You will lead automation initiatives to boost production efficiency, quality, and safety across manufacturing operations.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years in industrial engineering with hands-on automation experience, including robotics, PLCs, HMI, and SCADA. Relocation to East London is expected for this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Industrial/Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
• 5–7 years experience in industrial engineering with emphasis on process automation.
• Experience with robotics, PLC programming (Siemens, Allen-Bradley), HMI, and SCADA.
• Familiarity with MES and ERP systems.
• Strong lean manufacturing understanding and project management.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Willingness to relocate to East London, Eastern Cape.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities for automation within manufacturing processes and build business cases.
• Design and specify automated equipment including robotics and conveyors.
• Collaborate with controls engineers to integrate systems and ensure seamless operation.
• Develop process flow diagrams and automation strategies for lines.
• Oversee installation, commissioning and validation of automated systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve automation equipment issues.
• Implement and enhance SPC for automated lines.
• Train operators and maintenance staff on automation systems.
• Analyze production data to measure ROI of automation projects.

Skills

Industrial engineering

Automation

Project management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Robotics

PLC programming

HMI design

SCADA systems

MES/ERP familiarity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading automotive supplier, is seeking an innovative Industrial Engineer with expertise in Process Automation to join their team in East London, Eastern Cape . This critical role will involve the analysis, design, and implementation of automated systems and solutions to enhance production efficiency, quality, and safety across their manufacturing operations. You will work with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for automation, select appropriate technologies, and oversee the integration of automated equipment and software. The ideal candidate possesses a strong technical background in industrial engineering, coupled with practical experience in automation technologies such as robotics, PLC systems, and advanced manufacturing software. This is an exciting opportunity to drive technological advancement and operational excellence within a dynamic automotive manufacturing environment in East London .

Key Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities for automation within manufacturing processes and develop business cases for automation projects.
• Design, specify, and select automated equipment, including robotics, conveyors, and specialized machinery.
• Collaborate with controls engineers and software developers to integrate automated systems and ensure seamless operation.
• Develop process flow diagrams and automation strategies for new or modified production lines.
• Oversee the installation, commissioning, and validation of automated systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to automated equipment and processes.
• Implement and refine statistical process control (SPC) for automated production lines.
• Train operators and maintenance personnel on the operation and upkeep of automated systems.
• Analyze production data to measure the performance and ROI of automation initiatives.
• Stay current with advancements in automation technology and industrial engineering best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in industrial engineering, with a significant focus on process automation and system integration.
• Proven experience with robotics, PLC programming (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley), HMI design, and SCADA systems.
• Familiarity with manufacturing execution systems (MES) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles and their application in automated environments.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience in the automotive manufacturing sector is highly desirable.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to East London, Eastern Cape .

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement plan.
• Opportunities for professional development and certifications in automation technologies.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• A dynamic, hands-on work environment in a leading automotive supplier.
• Access to state-of-the-art automation equipment and technologies.
• A collaborative culture focused on innovation and continuous improvement.