Process Control Engineer - Food & Beverage Manufacturing

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Training opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Process Control Engineer for a leading food and beverage manufacturer in East London, Eastern Cape. The role focuses on designing, implementing, and maintaining advanced control systems to optimise production and quality.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years in automation, instrumentation, and process optimization within a fast-paced manufacturing environment and a strong passion for operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with a focus on control systems.
• At least 5 years in process control engineering, preferably in food/beverage.
• Proficiency with major PLC/DCS platforms and instrumentation knowledge.
• Experience with SCADA, HMI development, and data acquisition.
• Familiar with food safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain process control strategies (DCS/PLC/SCADA).
• Optimize control loops for stability, efficiency, and product consistency.
• Collaborate with process engineers to define control requirements.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation, control hardware, and software issues.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP and ISO 22000 standards.
• Create and maintain control system documentation (P&IDs, diagrams).
• Train operations staff on control systems and automation.
• Support design and commissioning of new equipment and modifications.
• Stay updated on advances in process control technology.

Skills

DCS/PLC/SCADA

Instrumentation

SCADA systems

HMI development

Data acquisition

SPC

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Electrical Engineering with control systems focus

Tools

Siemens

Rockwell

Emerson

Job description

About the Role

A leading manufacturer in the food and beverage industry is seeking a skilled Process Control Engineer to join their team in East London, Eastern Cape . This role is crucial for designing, implementing, and maintaining advanced control systems to optimize production processes, ensuring product quality, efficiency, and safety. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in automation, instrumentation, and process optimization within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This is an excellent opportunity for a control systems expert to contribute to a major player in the food and beverage sector in East London . We are looking for an analytical and detail-oriented engineer with a passion for automation and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain advanced process control strategies and systems (e.g., DCS, PLC, SCADA).
• Develop and optimize control loops to improve process stability, efficiency, and product consistency.
• Collaborate with process engineers and operations teams to define control requirements and implement solutions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to instrumentation, control hardware, and software.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, ISO 22000) and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain control system documentation, including P&IDs, logic diagrams, and user manuals.
• Conduct training for operations and maintenance personnel on control systems and automation.
• Participate in the design and commissioning of new equipment and process modifications.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in process control technology and automation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on control systems.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process control engineering, preferably in the food and beverage industry.
• Proficiency with major PLC/DCS platforms (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell, Emerson).
• Strong understanding of instrumentation, sensors, and final control elements.
• Experience with SCADA systems, HMI development, and data acquisition.
• Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and its application.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Familiarity with food industry regulations and safety protocols is a strong advantage.
• Experience working within the East London industrial area is preferred.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, and opportunities for professional development through training and certifications. You will work in a modern facility with access to cutting-edge automation technologies in East London . This role provides a chance to make a significant impact on production efficiency and quality, with potential for career advancement within the company's growing operations.