Lead Industrial Automation Engineer (Remote)

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Professional growth & certifications

Company equipment provided

Generous leave

Job summary

WhatJobs Direct is seeking a Lead Industrial Automation Engineer to spearhead remote automation initiatives for clients near Centurion, Gauteng. You will design, implement, and manage advanced automated systems, lead a remote team, and mentor junior engineers from a home office.

The role demands deep PLC/SCADA and robotics knowledge, strong leadership, and excellent communication to coordinate across clients and internal stakeholders in a distributed setup.

Qualifications

• 7+ years progressive experience in industrial automation engineering
• 2+ years in lead or supervisory role
• Proven expertise in PLC programming and HMI/SCADA development

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and implementation of automation systems (PLCs, SCADA, robotics, HMI)
• Oversee integration of new automation technologies into processes
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and budgets for remote automation projects
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to remote engineers and technicians
• Conduct detailed system analysis and troubleshooting for complex automation challenges
• Ensure systems meet performance, safety, and quality standards
• Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to define automation requirements
• Develop and maintain documentation (P&IDs, schematics, software code)
• Stay current with emerging automation technologies and best practices
• Conduct remote commissioning and testing with on-site teams when needed
• Evaluate and recommend automation hardware and software solutions

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering

Tools

Siemens PLC

Rockwell PLC

HMI/SCADA

Profinet

Ethernet/IP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, WhatJobs Direct, is actively seeking a highly experienced Lead Industrial Automation Engineer to join their fully remote workforce. This critical position will spearhead the design, implementation, and management of automated industrial systems for clients with operations near Centurion, Gauteng. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of automation technologies, robotics, and control systems, coupled with strong leadership skills to guide projects and mentor junior engineers remotely. This role is perfect for an innovative thinker who can drive efficiency and technological advancement in manufacturing and production environments from the comfort of their home office. As a fully remote position, it requires exceptional self-discipline, communication, and project management abilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of industrial automation systems, including PLCs, SCADA, robotics, and HMI interfaces.
• Oversee the integration of new automation technologies into existing manufacturing processes.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and budgets for automation projects in a remote setting.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of engineers and technicians, facilitating effective remote collaboration.
• Conduct detailed system analysis and troubleshooting for complex automation challenges.
• Ensure automation systems meet performance, safety, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with clients and internal stakeholders to define automation requirements and project scopes.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation, including P&IDs, electrical schematics, software code, and user manuals.
• Stay current with emerging automation technologies and industry best practices.
• Conduct remote commissioning and testing of automation systems, providing remote support to on-site teams when necessary.
• Evaluate and recommend automation hardware and software solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in industrial automation engineering, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Proven expertise in PLC programming (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell), HMI/SCADA development, and robotic systems integration.
• Strong knowledge of industrial networks (e.g., Profinet, Ethernet/IP) and control system architectures.
• Experience in developing and managing automation projects from concept to completion, ideally in a remote or distributed team environment.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage and motivate a remote team.
• Proficiency in system diagnostics, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis for automated systems.
• Strong understanding of safety standards and regulations related to industrial automation.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a remote work environment.
• Experience with virtual collaboration tools and remote access technologies.

Benefits

• An outstanding annual salary of ZAR.
• Fully remote work environment, offering maximum flexibility and work-life balance.
• Opportunities for professional growth, advanced training, and certifications in automation technologies.
• Contribution to medical aid and retirement fund.
• Company-provided high-performance computing equipment and software licenses.
• Generous annual leave and paid time off.
• Performance-based bonuses and incentives.
• A dynamic and forward-thinking company culture that embraces remote work innovation.
• Access to challenging and impactful automation projects.