Junior Automation Engineer

FAAC Simply automatic.; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

Centurion Systems, part of the FAAC Technologies Group, is hiring a Junior Automation Engineer to help design AI and automation solutions across the organisation. You will work under senior engineers and gain hands-on exposure to software engineering, AI technology and business processes.

You will observe processes in multiple departments, identify automation opportunities, build and deploy automations, and maintain the internal AI platform, learning continuously in a collaborative,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in CS/SE/CE/IS or related field.
• 0-2 years' experience in software development, automation, data engineering or related discipline.
• Practical exposure to Python and at least one AI/LLM framework or API.
• Working knowledge of version control, relational databases and web APIs.
• Understanding of Agile/Scrum methodologies.
• Exposure to Linux, containerisation, cloud or on-prem infrastructure advantageous.
• Relevant AI/cloud/software certifications advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Observe, document and map existing processes across departments under senior engineer guidance.
• Identify opportunities where AI/automation can reduce manual effort, cycle time or errors.
• Build, test and deploy automation agents and workflows on the internal AI platform.
• Develop and maintain the internal AI platform, including components like model gateway and runtimes.
• Integrate AI platform with ERP, CRM, ticketing and knowledge sources via shared layers.
• Monitor usage, cost and performance; escalate incidents as needed.
• Prepare and run evaluation and regression tests for automations.

Skills

Problem-solving

Team player

Time management

Initiative

Professionalism

Cross-functional willingness

Learning mindset

Self-motivated

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Python

Java/TypeScript/C#

Job description

Centurion Systems is proud to be part of the global F AAC Technologies Group. At FAAC Technologies, working in Research & Development means designing what's next. You'll dive into a wide range of products. You'll be at the crossroads of technology and creativity, in an environment that values continuous learning, knowledge-sharing, and cross-functional collaboration. Every idea counts. Every challenge is a chance to grow in your discipline and beyond

The Opportunity

A Junior Automation Engineer supports the development of AI and automation solutions that improve how the company’s departments operate. Working under the guidance of experienced engineers, the role assists with identifying automation opportunities, building and deploying solutions, and maintaining the company’s internal AI platform.

The position offers hands-on exposure to software engineering, AI technology and business processes across the organisation.

Main Responsibilities

• Work alongside assigned business departments, including Sales, Human Resources, Finance, Technical Support, Production and Marketing, to observe, document and map existing processes under the guidance of a senior engineer.
• Assist in identifying, scoping and prioritising opportunities where AI and automation can reduce manual effort, cycle time or error rates within departmental processes.
• Build, test and deploy well-defined automation agents and workflows on the company’s internal AI platform, following the agreed agent manifest, data classification and approval standards.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of an internal AI platform, including the model gateway, agent runtimes, retrieval services, tool integrations and user access surfaces.
• Implement and maintain integrations between the AI platform and business systems such as ERP, CRM, ticketing and knowledge sources, using the shared integration and action layers rather than direct system access.
• Assist with the day-to-day operation of the platform by monitoring usage, cost and performance, resolving routine issues and escalating incidents in line with defined procedures.
• Prepare and maintain evaluation and regression test sets for deployed automations, and run them before changes are released.
• Apply the company’s data classification, access control, privacy and audit requirements to every automation built, ensuring restricted information remains within approved boundaries.
• Document business processes as they are found, solutions as they are built, and the reasoning behind design decisions, so that knowledge is retained and transferable.
• Provide first-line support and hands-on guidance to departmental users of deployed automations, gathering feedback and feeding it back into improvements.
• Participate in code reviews, design discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions, actively seeking and acting on feedback from senior engineers.
• Maintain awareness of developments in AI models, tooling and automation practice, and share relevant findings with the team.
• Communicate progress, risks and blockers clearly and proactively to the responsible manager and to departmental stakeholders.

Self-motivated

Takes ownership of assigned work, maintains high standards and progresses tasks independently between review points.

Learning mindset

Demonstrates a willingness to learn and stay informed about developments in AI, automation and software engineering.

Shows genuine interest in understanding how different departments and business processes operate.

Adjusts effectively to changing requirements, technologies and departmental environments.

Problem-solving

Applies logical and analytical thinking to understand problems, identify causes and propose practical solutions.

Produces accurate, high-quality work and follows required quality, testing and security standards.

Team player

Collaborates effectively with engineering colleagues and stakeholders across the business.

Time management

Prioritises tasks, manages deadlines and seeks support when needed to maintain progress.

Communicates clearly with technical and non-technical colleagues and asks questions to ensure understanding.

Initiative

Identifies opportunities to improve processes, systems and ways of working.

Professionalism

Demonstrates accountability, reliability and discretion when handling sensitive information.

Maintains a constructive, solution-focused approach and responds positively to challenges.

Cross-functional willingness

Is comfortable working across company departments and learning processes outside of engineering.

Competent in Python and at least one additional typed programming language, such as Java, TypeScript or C#, with the ability to write clear and maintainable code.

Understands large language models, prompting, retrieval-augmented generation and agent workflows, and can apply these concepts to practical problems.

Systems integration

Able to work with APIs, databases and integration layers to connect platforms and business systems.

Process analysis

Able to observe and document business processes and identify suitable automation opportunities.

Platform operations

Working knowledge of version control, containers, CI pipelines and monitoring tools.

Platform toolchain

Exposure to tools such as LiteLLM, Qdrant, pgvector, Langfuse, Docker, vLLM or demonstrable equivalents.

Data handling and security

Understands and applies data classification, access control and privacy requirements.

Testing and evaluation

Able to develop and run tests that confirm automation solutions continue to behave as expected.

Documentation

Produces clear and accurate documentation of processes, designs and operating procedures.

Troubleshooting

Uses a structured approach to diagnosing issues and escalates matters appropriately when needed.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Electronic Engineering or a related field.
• Zero to two years' experience in software development, automation, data engineering or a related discipline. Relevant academic, internship or project experience will be considered.
• Practical exposure to Python and at least one AI or large language model framework or API.
• Working knowledge of version control, relational databases and web APIs.
• Understanding of software development methodologies, including Agile and Scrum.
• Exposure to Linux, containerisation, cloud or on-premises infrastructure will be advantageous.
• Relevant AI, cloud or software development certifications will be advantageous