Process Control Engineer - Industrial Automation (Remote)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible remote work

Health benefits

Professional development opportunities

Collaboration tools

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Process Control Engineer for a fully remote role. You will design, implement, and optimize advanced control strategies for industrial processes, collaborating with a distributed engineering team.

The ideal candidate has a chemical or electrical engineering background, 5+ years in process control, and hands-on experience with DCS platforms (Honeywell Experion, Emerson DeltaV), PLCs, and SCADA/HMI development. Strong communication and problem solving are essential.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years in process control engineering and industrial automation.
• Experience with DCS and PLC/SCADA/HMI development.
• Strong knowledge of process dynamics and control theory.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement advanced process control strategies using DCS/PLC/SCADA.
• Develop and program control logic, sequences, and loops.
• Tune control loops for optimal performance.
• Troubleshoot automation hardware/software and instrumentation.
• Develop and maintain HMI screens for process monitoring.
• Collaborate with clients and internal teams to define requirements.
• Support site visits for installation and commissioning when feasible.

Skills

Process control engineering

Remote collaboration

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Honeywell Experion

Emerson DeltaV

Siemens PLC

Rockwell PLC

SCADA/HMI development

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading provider of industrial automation solutions, is seeking a skilled Process Control Engineer to join their distributed engineering team. This is a fully remote position, focused on designing, implementing, and optimizing advanced control strategies for various industrial processes. You will work with a diverse range of clients across different sectors, applying your expertise in automation hardware and software to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and product quality. The ideal candidate has a strong background in chemical or process engineering principles combined with extensive experience in PLC programming, DCS systems, and SCADA HMI development. You will be responsible for developing control logic, tuning control loops, and troubleshooting complex automation challenges, all while collaborating remotely with project teams and clients. This role requires excellent problem-solving skills, a meticulous approach to detail, and the ability to communicate technical concepts effectively across a virtual environment. If you are passionate about industrial automation and thrive in a remote work setting, this is an exciting opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement advanced process control strategies using DCS, PLC, and SCADA systems.
• Develop and program control logic, algorithms, and sequences for industrial processes.
• Perform loop tuning and optimization to achieve desired process performance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues with control systems, instrumentation, and automation hardware/software.
• Develop and maintain HMI screens and user interfaces for process monitoring and control.
• Collaborate with clients and internal engineering teams to define control system requirements.
• Conduct site visits (if necessary and feasible within remote work constraints) for installation support and commissioning.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including control system architecture diagrams, logic narratives, and user manuals.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in industrial automation technology and best practices.
• Ensure control system designs comply with industry standards and client specifications.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process control engineering and industrial automation.
• Proficiency with major DCS platforms (e.g., Honeywell Experion, Emerson DeltaV) and PLC systems (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell).
• Experience in developing and implementing SCADA/HMI applications.
• Strong understanding of process dynamics, instrumentation, and control theory.
• Excellent troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage projects effectively in a remote setting.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for remote collaboration.
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, VBA) is a plus.
• Knowledge of safety instrumented systems (SIS) is desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary and a flexible, fully remote work arrangement.
• You will benefit from a comprehensive health insurance plan, including medical and dental coverage.
• Generous paid time off and a retirement savings plan are provided.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development through online training and certifications are encouraged.
• Our client provides access to state-of-the-art collaboration tools to facilitate seamless remote teamwork.
• This role offers the unique chance to work from anywhere, contributing to significant automation projects globally, while being based conceptually near Bloemfontein, Free State, ZA.
• Our client values innovation and employee autonomy.