Instrument/Analyser Technician

Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd.; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

Astron Energy is seeking an Instrument/Analyser Technician to provide hands-on maintenance, calibration and fault-finding for field instruments and online analysers at our refinery in South Africa. You will ensure measurement integrity, analyser reliability and instrument availability by performing troubleshooting, calibration, sample-system work and coordination with control systems.

Daily collaboration with Operations, Control Systems/OT, Laboratory, Maintenance and Reliability teams will be

Qualifications

• Minimum N3 Certificate with an apprenticeship and Trade Test Certificate.
• 5 years Petro-chemical experience preferred.
• Drivers’ license is required.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, maintain and calibrate field instruments and analyzers.
• Maintain analyser sample systems and ensure representative samples.
• Record calibration results in CMMS SAP and site records.
• Collaborate with Operations, OT, Laboratory, Maintenance and Reliability teams.
• Support integration of analyser signals into DCS/SCADA and historians.
• Provide after-hours on-call support for instrument failures.
• Lead safety tests and ensure compliance with SCEs and risk assessments.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Calibration

Maintenance

Field instrumentation

Analysers

Auto/Process control systems

Education

N3 Certificate

Trade Test Certificate

Tools

SAP CMMS

P&IDs

Job description

The Instrument/Analyser Technician provides combined technical support for field instrumentation and online process analysers across the refinery. Reporting to the Instrument/Analyser Coordinator, this role ensures measurement integrity, analyser reliability and instrument availability by performing hands on maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, sample system work and by coordinating integration with control systems and operations.

Key Responsibilities

Daily Operations & Technical Support

Carry out troubleshooting, maintenance, calibration and repairs on field instruments (pressure, temperature, level, flow transmitters, control valves, positioners, local I/O) and process analysers (GC, FTIR, NIR, O2/H2S, moisture, conductivity, etc.).

Maintain and service analyser sample systems (heated lines, filters, condensate traps, pumps, regulators) to ensure representative and timely samples.

Perform loop checks, functional tests and analyser span/calibration checks; maintain valid calibration certificates and records.

Provide on‑call after‑hours support for urgent instrument or analyser failures.

Record all work, calibration results, device diagnostics and corrective actions in the CMMS (SAP) and site documentation systems.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

Work closely with Operations, Control Systems/OT, Laboratory, Maintenance, Reliability and Process teams to resolve measurement issues and ensure data is fit for control and quality decisions.

Liaise with vendors and contractors for analyser repairs, calibrations, spare parts, FAT/SAT and warranty activities.

Support integration of analyser and instrument signals into DCS/SCADA, historians and reporting systems; coordinate with Control Systems for communication and signal integrity issues.

Support tank gauging and level measurement integration in coordination with the Tank Team where applicable.

Maintenance Strategies & Asset Management

Implement preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for both analysers and field instruments to maximise availability and measurement reliability.

Maintain calibration schedules, certificates, as‑built documentation and instrument configuration to site standards.

Monitor spares usage, identify critical spares needs and support procurement in line with the site sparing philosophy.

Performance Monitoring & Analysis

Analyze trends, alarm histories, calibration drift and device diagnostics to identify instrument or analyser degradation and recommend corrective actions.

Participate in condition monitoring programs (smart diagnostics, analyser QC checks) and prioritise follow‑up work.

Lead or support root cause investigations for recurring failures in collaboration with field teams and reliability engineers.

Project Support & Implementation

Support specification, installation, commissioning, FAT/SAT and validation of new analyser packages and instrument packages for small capital and maintenance projects.

Update and maintain loop diagrams, I/O lists, tag assignments and control system graphics to reflect field changes.

Assist with analyser and instrument upgrades, replacements and relocations as part of the Asset Management Life Cycle; ensure MOC and documentation requirements are met.

Safety & Compliance

Plan and support execution of safety‑critical device tests, ESD/SDV checks and instrument/analyser functional tests as directed.

Ensure work complies with Safety Critical Elements (SCEs), process safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Participate in safety walkdowns, PHAs, MOCs and risk assessments; implement corrective actions to mitigate measurement risks.

Advisory, Training & Continuous Improvement

Provide technical guidance and training to operators, instrumentation technicians and apprentices on analyser operation, sample handling, instrument calibration and basic troubleshooting.

Contribute to incident investigations, reliability studies and continuous improvement initiatives focused on measurement quality and availability.

Identify opportunities to standardise practices, improve QA/QC procedures and enhance digital capture of device health data.

General Expectations

Manage multiple priorities, respond to urgent failures and expedite risks or delays to the Supervisor promptly.

Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with MOC and site documentation standards.

Promote a strong safety culture through active participation in safety observations and initiatives.

Typical time allocation: 90% field / 10% office (adjustable by site needs).

Minimum Qualifications and Experience required

Professional Qualification and Certifications: Minimum N3 Certificate, apprenticeship with Trade Test Certificate Drivers’ License.

Minimum Work Experience: 5 years Petro-chemical experience an Advantage Work Experience.

Key Job Responsibilities for Instrumentation & Analyzer Technician may include but are not limited to the following:

Conducts basic field instrumentation & analyser repairs in area of responsibility. Carries out first line instrument & complex analyzer faultfinding, troubleshooting and maintenance activities, troubleshooting and maintenance activities. Conducts PMs (Preventive Maintenance) - works with Systems Technician in analyzing instrument equipment worst actors in area of responsibility. Writes up repair notes on completion of work for entry into Computerized Maintenance Management System. Assists assigned teams with trouble-shooting during 5-Why investigations and provides input to the group. Assists in developing Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS) method statements and procedures for basic repair work. Provides assistance to systems technicians, during routine ESD (Emergency Shut Down) tests. Performs Safety Risk assessments independently, prior to commencing any work activity and participates in daily Safety discussions. Conducts Loss Prevention Observations (LPO's) and actively participates in loading tools on Isometrix system. Participates in the Management of Change (MOC) and Pre-Start-up Safety Review (PSSR) processes involving instruments and analyzer equipment, where required. Stroke checks control valves and adjusts settings as required. Blow down level chambers and calibrate level transmitters Set up vibration probes Utilize Highway Addressable Remote Transmitter (HART) protocol communicators for basic setup of transmitters Do impulse line reseal of Differential Pressure (DP) flowmeters and levels Flange management Carries out complex analyzer fault finding, troubleshooting and maintenance activities. Assists with repair recommendations and maintenance of analyzer records for input into CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System). Performs periodic after hours standby duties, duration 1 week, as determined by number of Technicians available on the standby roster. Ability to read and interpret various instrument drawings including isometric drawings and P&IDs (Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams). Competent to conduct detailed faultfinding on laboratory and field analyzer equipment Basic working knowledge of Refinery production and processing technology. Knowledge and skills: Setting parameters and calibrating various instruments and analysers Strip and assemble control valves. Ability to read and interpret P&IDs Sound troubleshooting skills on various instrumentation and analyser technologies

Application deadline: 29 August 2026

Astron Energy

Astron Energy is a leading supplier of petroleum products in South Africa, with a vast network of Caltex-branded service stations that make us one of the country’s top two petroleum brands. We are strongly committed to being a responsible corporate citizen, promoting education, health and economic development in an effort to build stronger communities and drive sustainable economic growth. We own and operate the country’s third-largest crude oil refinery in Cape Town, which has a capacity of 100,000 barrels a day, and a lubricants manufacturing plant in Durban.