Instrumentation Technician

Copper Quail; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Copper Quail is seeking an Instrumentation Technician to provide hands-on instrumentation, controls and electrical diagnostic support across mining and drilling equipment. The role emphasizes equipment reliability, fault finding and preventative maintenance in a demanding mining environment.

The technician will diagnose PLC and control-system faults, maintain sensors and devices, and assist with commissioning and post-maintenance checks while collaborating with engineering and operations teams

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with field instrumentation, control circuits and sensors.
• Ability to read technical drawings, schematics and OEM service information.
• Experience supporting maintenance, breakdown response and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Fault finding, diagnostics, maintenance and repair on instrumentation and control systems in mining equipment.
• Inspect and calibrate field instruments such as pressure, temperature and level sensors.
• Support troubleshooting of PLC/HMI faults and verify field signals.
• Assist with commissioning, breakdown response and root-cause analysis.
• Maintain documentation and ensure safety compliance during operations.
• Work with cross-functional teams to ensure equipment reliability.

Skills

Instrumentation

Electrical control

Troubleshooting

Reading schematics

Education

Trade qualification in Instrumentation / Instrument Mechanician or Electrical

N4–N6 / National Diploma in Instrumentation or Electrical/Automation

Tools

Siemens PLC

Allen-Bradley PLC

CAN networks

Job description

Johannesburg, South Africa | Posted on 09/16/2026

Copper Quail’s objective is to become a trusted partner within our clients’ organizations in Africa, understanding not only the people at their heart, but also their culture and ethos. We are Recruitment Advisors, specializing in Executive Search, Contingency Recruitment, Headhunting, Outsourced Labour and training. Using our significant market knowledge across, experience and judgement to help our clients employ the best qualified individuals for each position in Africa.

We’re known for our successful track record, responsiveness and discretion. We have a high performance culture and employ only experienced recruiters. These knowledgeable professionals provide a high level of service, deliver effective solutions and foster successful relationships through regular conversations with clients and candidates.

Job Description

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Instrumentation Technician will provide hands-on instrumentation, controls and electrical diagnostic support across mining and drilling equipment, associated project systems and operational sites. The role is focused on equipment availability, reliable measurement and control, fault finding, commissioning and preventative maintenance in a demanding mining environment.

Working closely with engineering, maintenance, product-support and operational teams, the technician will troubleshoot field instrumentation and control-system faults, maintain sensors and control devices, support equipment commissioning and breakdown response, and ensure that instrumentation and control systems remain safe, accurate and fit for operation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform fault finding, diagnostics, maintenance and repair on instrumentation and control systems fitted to mining, drilling and associated heavy equipment.
• Inspect, test, calibrate and replace field instruments including pressure, temperature, level, speed, position and other equipment-monitoring devices as applicable.
• Support troubleshooting of electrical control circuits, sensors, relays, contactors, transmitters, switches, solenoids and associated field wiring.
• Assist with diagnosis of PLC, HMI and equipment-control faults, including I/O checks, alarm investigation and verification of field signals.
• Support breakdown response and work with mechanical, electrical and engineering teams to isolate root causes across integrated equipment systems.
• Carry out planned and preventative maintenance inspections on instrumentation, electrical-control and monitoring systems to reduce downtime and repeat failures.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning, mobilisation and recommissioning activities at workshop and project sites.
• Verify instrumentation and control functionality during equipment testing, commissioning and post-maintenance return-to-service checks.
• Assist with root‑cause investigations, recurring fault analysis and reliability improvement actions relating to instrumentation and control systems.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, instrumentation drawings, wiring diagrams, OEM manuals and technical documentation.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, calibration information, defect reports, job cards and equipment history.
• Escalate complex equipment, software, PLC or OEM‑related faults to engineering or product‑support teams and support technical investigations.
• Work safely under mine and site procedures, including isolation, lock‑out/tag‑out, permit and risk‑assessment requirements.
• Provide technical support to operations and maintenance teams during production‑critical equipment issues and planned shutdowns.

TECHNICAL EXPOSURE

• Industrial instrumentation, sensors, transmitters and control devices used on mobile or fixed mining / drilling equipment.
• Electrical control panels, 24 VDC / low‑voltage control circuits, relays, contactors, solenoids and field wiring.
• PLC / HMI‑based machine control and diagnostic systems; ability to interrogate faults and verify I/O is advantageous.
• Equipment monitoring and protection systems including pressure, temperature, speed, position and safety interlocks.
• Variable‑speed drives, motor‑control interfaces and basic electrical drive/control troubleshooting where applicable.
• Hydraulic and electro‑hydraulic systems, particularly the interaction between instrumentation, control outputs and hydraulic functions.
• Communication networks, remote diagnostics, telemetry or SCADA‑type monitoring systems will be advantageous where used on equipment or site systems.
• Use of multimeters, loop calibrators, test equipment and diagnostic tools appropriate to instrumentation and control maintenance.

EXPERIENCE & REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 3–5 years relevant instrumentation, automation, electrical‑control or equipment‑diagnostics experience in mining, drilling, heavy engineering, industrial or OEM environments.
• Hands‑on experience with field instrumentation, control circuits, sensors and equipment fault finding.
• Experience supporting maintenance, breakdown response and commissioning in workshop and site‑based environments.
• Ability to troubleshoot integrated systems where instrumentation, electrical, mechanical and hydraulic functions interact.
• Ability to read technical drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics and OEM service information.
• Strong practical problem‑solving ability and willingness to work hands‑on around operational equipment.
• Medically fit for operational mine / project site work and willing to travel, work shifts, overtime or rotations where required.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS – PREFERRED PROFILE

• Trade qualification in Instrumentation / Instrument Mechanician, Electrical or closely related discipline; or
• N4–N6, National Diploma or equivalent technical qualification in Instrumentation, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation or Control Systems.
• Additional PLC, automation, calibration, electrical, OEM or mining‑safety training will be advantageous.

ADVANTAGEOUS

• Experience on drilling rigs, raise‑bore equipment, underground mining machinery or other specialist mining equipment.
• Knowledge of SANY mining / drilling equipment, SANY electrical or control systems, or previous SANY diagnostic / maintenance exposure.
• Experience with other heavy‑equipment OEM diagnostic systems will also be highly relevant.
• PLC troubleshooting and basic programming exposure (e.g. Siemens, Allen‑Bradley or comparable industrial platforms).
• Experience with CAN‑based machine communications or similar equipment networks.
• Instrumentation calibration and documented test / verification processes.
• Experience supporting Factory Acceptance Testing, equipment commissioning or field‑service activities.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strong diagnostic thinking and structured fault‑finding approach.
• High attention to detail when working with signals, wiring, calibration and safety interlocks.
• Ability to work effectively with mechanical, electrical, engineering and operational teams.
• Calm and practical response to equipment breakdowns and production‑critical faults.
• Commitment to safe work, equipment reliability and quality technical documentation.
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to supervisors, engineers, OEM support and operations.