Instrumentation Technician

Pillangó Placements; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

Pillangó Placements is seeking an Instrument Technician for a safety‑driven mining and drilling operation. You will support the reliability and performance of rig instrumentation and control systems on-site.

You will install, commission, calibrate and maintain instrumentation; troubleshoot PLCs, sensors and hydraulic controls; and keep precise calibration records. Travel between sites is required, and a Red Seal qualification plus mining medical fitness are essential.

Qualifications

• Matric with Mathematics and Physical Science; N3 Electrical/Instrumentation.
• Qualified Instrument Mechanician with a valid Section 13/26D Red Seal trade test.
• 3–5 years post-trade experience in mining, drilling, construction or heavy industry.
• Practical experience with PLC control systems, instrumentation calibration, hydraulics and fault-finding.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics and hydraulic circuits.
• Valid Code B / EB driver's licence, mining medical fitness and willingness to travel between sites.

Responsibilities

• Install, commission, calibrate and maintain instrumentation on raise bore and drilling rigs.
• Troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, sensors, transmitters and electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic controls.
• Diagnose breakdowns, investigate recurring faults and minimise equipment downtime.
• Test safety-critical instruments, trips and interlocks.
• Maintain accurate calibration records, maintenance reports and CMMS job cards.
• Work closely with site operations and engineering teams while maintaining safety standards.

Skills

PLC control systems

Instrumentation calibration

Fault finding

P&ID interpretation

Electrical schematics interpretation

Hydraulics knowledge

Education

Matric with Mathematics & Physical Science

N3 Electrical/Instrumentation

Qualified Instrument Mechanician with Red Seal (Section 13/26D)

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Not every Instrumentation Technician gets to work on heavy-duty drilling rigs. If you enjoy solving complex technical problems where accuracy, safety and reliability really matter, this could be your kind of challenge.

Join an established, technology-driven mining and drilling operation specialising in advanced drilling equipment and mine development solutions. This is a hands-on role supporting the reliability and performance of sophisticated rig instrumentation and control systems.

What you'll be doing

• Install, commission, calibrate and maintain instrumentation on raise bore and drilling rigs.
• Troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, sensors, transmitters and electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic controls.
• Diagnose breakdowns, investigate recurring faults and minimise equipment downtime.
• Test safety-critical instruments, trips and interlocks.
• Maintain accurate calibration records, maintenance reports and CMMS job cards.
• Work closely with site operations and engineering teams while maintaining strict safety standards.

What you'll need

• Matric with Mathematics and Physical Science, plus N3 Electrical / Instrumentation.
• Qualified Instrument Mechanician with a valid Section 13 / 26D Red Seal trade test.
• 3 5 years' post-trade experience in mining, drilling, construction or heavy industry.
• Practical experience with PLC control systems, instrumentation calibration, hydraulics and fault-finding.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics and hydraulic circuits.
• Valid Code B / EB driver's licence, mining medical fitness and willingness to travel between sites.

Advantageous

Experience with raise boring or drilling rigs, PLC programming, a Wireman's Licence, N6 / National Diploma or CMMS systems.

Why this role?

Exposure to specialised drilling technology, varied site environments, independent technical problem-solving and potential progression into senior technical, supervisory or control systems roles.

Working Conditions

Site-based work, regular travel and shifts, including standby and breakdown call-outs where required.

Salary

If you're confident that you fit the role, let's chat! The salary is open for discussion. It will be market related based on qualifications, skills, and experience.