Instrumentation Technician with SCADA

Network Contracting Solutions; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 450 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technical solutions provider in South Africa is looking for an Instrumentation Technician to manage and troubleshoot online monitoring systems in high-speed FMCG environments. The ideal candidate should have a trade test in instrumentation, 3–5 years of relevant experience, and proficiency in SCADA systems. This position requires South African citizenship and offers opportunities to work with advanced monitoring technologies alongside engineering teams.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on experience as an Instrumentation Technician in FMCG.
• Proficient in SCADA systems and online condition monitoring.
• Valid SA ID required for South African citizens.

Responsibilities

• Install, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot instrumentation.
• Monitor real-time equipment data and identify issues.
• Ensure compliance with safety and health regulations.

Skills

Analytical skills

SCADA proficiency

PLC fundamentals

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Trade Test: Instrumentation Mechanician or Trade-Tested Millwright

N4–N6 or National Diploma in Instrumentation/Electrical Engineering

Tools

SCADA Systems (Wonderware, WinCC, Ignition)

Condition Monitoring Technologies

Job description

JOB SPECIFICATION: Instrumentation Technician (FMCG)

Location: South Africa; Johannesburg East

Employment Type: Permanent

Only South African citizens will be considered or Perm Residency.

Position Overview

We are seeking a skilled Instrumentation Technician with strong FMCG experience to manage, maintain, and troubleshoot online equipment monitoring systems. The ideal candidate will be proficient in SCADA systems, data tagging, sensor integration, and real‑time condition monitoring technologies used across high‑speed manufacturing plants.

The technician will be responsible for ensuring accurate data capture from sensors, maintaining plant instrumentation, optimising equipment performance, and supporting engineering and maintenance teams with reliable system insights.

Minimum Requirements

• Qualification & Certifications
• Trade Test: Instrumentation Mechanician (preferred) or Trade‑Tested Millwright with strong instrumentation experience from FMCG.
• N4–N6 or National Diploma in Instrumentation / Electrical Engineering (advantageous).
• Valid SA ID – South African citizens only.

Experience

• 3–5+ years’ hands‑on experience as an Instrumentation Technician within FMCG, Food, Beverage, Packaging, or similar high‑speed production environments.
• Proven experience with online condition monitoring (ConMon) systems, including vibration, temperature, pressure, flow, and other sensor‑based monitoring technologies.
• Strong background working with SCADA systems (e.g., Wonderware, WinCC, Ignition, Schneider, etc.).
• Experience in data tagging, PLC signal mapping, and equipment data integration into SCADA or condition monitoring dashboards.
• Exposure to predictive maintenance, reliability engineering, and equipment performance monitoring.

Key Responsibilities

Instrumentation & Control

• Install, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot plant instrumentation including sensors, transmitters, PLC input/output modules, and field devices.
• Perform routine inspections of instrumentation systems to ensure accuracy, safety, and compliance with FMCG standards.

Online Condition Monitoring

• Monitor real‑time equipment data using online condition monitoring platforms, vibration sensors, thermography sensors, and other ConMon technologies.
• Identify abnormal conditions, escalating issues to maintenance and engineering teams.
• Ensure continuous uptime and functionality of monitoring systems.

SCADA, Data Tagging & Equipment Integration

• Create, edit, and maintain data tags across SCADA and monitoring systems to ensure accurate real‑time reporting.
• Integrate new equipment into existing SCADA and ConMon platforms, including signal wiring, mapping, and configuration.
• Support engineering teams in developing dashboards, trends, alarms, and reporting tools.
• Maintain updated documentation of tag lists, signal routing, P&IDs, logic diagrams, and system architecture.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Diagnose faults on instrumentation and electrical systems, ensuring minimal downtime in a high‑speed FMCG environment.
• Assist in root cause analysis and participate in breakdown investigations.
• Support preventative and predictive maintenance programs.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, food safety standards, and OEM requirements.
• Maintain clean, safe working practices in accordance with FMCG safety protocols.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and diagnostic abilities.
• Solid understanding of PLC fundamentals, signal conversion, and IO systems.
• Able to interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, instrumentation diagrams, and schematics.
• Proficiency with SCADA configuration, trending, alarming, and system optimisation.
• Understanding of predictive maintenance concepts (vibration, condition monitoring, OEE).
• Good communication skills and ability to work within cross‑functional engineering teams.
• High attention to detail and strong documentation discipline.

Additional Advantages

• Experience with IIoT, Industry 4.0, or digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience with historian databases (PI, SQL, etc.).
• Knowledge of networked plant systems (Ethernet/IP, Profibus, Profinet).