Principal Industrial Engineer - Production Systems Design

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and retirement benefits

Performance-based incentives

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Industrial Engineer to lead design and implementation of advanced production systems in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. You will guide multi-disciplinary teams, apply simulation and optimization, and develop scalable manufacturing solutions.

The role requires a Doctorate or Master's in Industrial Engineering with 10+ years of experience, strong leadership, and proven track record in large-scale projects. Robotics/IoT exposure is a plus for this executive role.

Qualifications

• Doctorate or Master’s in Industrial Engineering or closely related field.
• ≥10 years in industrial engineering focusing on production system design and implementation.
• Lead/principal engineer on large-scale manufacturing projects.
• Expert in simulation software AnyLogic or Simio, plus optimization techniques.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and agile project management.
• Strong leadership, strategic vision and complex problem‑solving.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Experience with robotics and IoT is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of new and re-engineered production systems.
• Apply simulation, optimization, and SPC to system design.
• Develop process diagrams, layouts, and material handling strategies.
• Perform performance analysis and capacity planning for facilities.
• Mentor a team of engineers and technical staff.
• Collaborate with R&D, operations, and IT for system integration.
• Build business cases for major capital investments in production systems.
• Drive continuous improvement focused on throughput, reliability, and cost.
• Ensure designs comply with safety, environmental, and quality regulations for KwaZulu-Natal.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Agile PM

Lean Six Sigma

Team mentoring

Education

Doctorate or Master’s in Industrial Engineering

Tools

AnyLogic

Simio

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the FMCG manufacturing sector, is looking for a Principal Industrial Engineer to join their advanced operations in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This is a leadership role responsible for the strategic design, development, and implementation of cutting-edge production systems. You will play a crucial part in ensuring our client remains at the forefront of manufacturing innovation by enhancing efficiency, quality, and scalability. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in complex system design, statistical modeling, and leading multi-disciplinary project teams. This is an exciting opportunity to influence high-impact projects within a thriving industrial hub in Durban.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization and detailed design of new production systems and the re-engineering of existing ones.
• Apply advanced industrial engineering principles, including simulation, optimization, and statistical process control, to system design.
• Develop comprehensive process flow diagrams, layout designs, and material handling strategies.
• Conduct in-depth performance analysis and capacity planning for production facilities.
• Manage and mentor a team of engineers and technical staff involved in system implementation.
• Collaborate with R&D, operations, and IT to ensure seamless integration of new systems.
• Develop business cases and justification for significant capital investments in production systems.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on system throughput, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Ensure all system designs comply with safety, environmental, and quality regulations pertinent to the KwaZulu-Natal region.

Requirements

• Doctorate or Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in industrial engineering, with a strong emphasis on production system design and implementation.
• Proven experience as a lead or principal engineer on large-scale manufacturing projects.
• Expertise in simulation software (e.g., AnyLogic, Simio), statistical modeling, and optimization techniques.
• Deep understanding of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and agile project management principles.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and complex problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience with advanced manufacturing technologies (e.g., robotics, IoT) is highly desirable.
• Must possess a valid work permit for South Africa.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive executive salary, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and significant performance-based incentives.
• This role provides unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and leadership.
• You will be joining a prestigious company with a strong commitment to innovation and employee development, located in the dynamic coastal city of Durban.