Lead Automation Engineer - Remote, AI-Driven Manufacturing

Placements24

Gauteng

Hybrid

ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Professional development

Remote work

Home office stipend

Team retreats

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Automation Engineer to join our remote-first team. You will design, develop and deploy advanced automation solutions for manufacturing facilities globally, leveraging PLCs, robotics, HMI/SCADA, and AI-driven process control.

You will mentor engineers, lead critical projects from conception to deployment, ensure robust documentation, and stay at the forefront of Industry 4.0. This role offers significant autonomy, remote collaboration across continents, and

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science or related field.
Master's degree preferred.
Minimum 8 years in industrial automation engineering, with at least 3 years in a lead role.
Extensive experience with PLC platforms, robot programming, and HMI/SCADA development.
Strong knowledge of control systems, industrial networks, and cybersecurity.

Responsibilities

Lead design, development, programming, and implementation of complex automation systems (PLCs, robotics, HMI, SCADA).
Architect innovative automation solutions to meet manufacturing challenges for clients.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to automation engineers.
Troubleshoot complex issues remotely and minimize downtime.
Conduct feasibility studies and recommend new automation projects.
Collaborate with client teams to ensure successful integration.
Develop and maintain comprehensive design docs and operating manuals.
Stay updated on Industry 4.0 trends and best practices.
Oversee testing and validation before deployment.