Protection and Control Systems Engineer

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Medical aid and retirement fund

Training and professional certs

Annual leave and holidays

Company vehicle or travel allowance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Protection and Control Systems Engineer for an on-site role in Polokwane, Limpopo. You will design, implement, and optimize protection schemes for substations, plants, and transmission lines to ensure grid reliability.

You will analyze protection criteria, select relays, configure control logic, and coordinate with project teams to deliver secure power infrastructure. Strong analytical skills and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Power Systems.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in design, application and commissioning of power system protection and control systems.
• Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) registration is highly desirable.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel within the Polokwane, Limpopo region.

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and commission protection and control systems for substations, power plants, and transmission lines.
• Develop protection settings for relays (overcurrent, differential, distance, voltage).
• Perform fault analysis and coordination studies for proper protection operation.
• Specify and select protection relays, circuit breakers, panels, and equipment.
• Develop logic diagrams and control schematics for automated grid operations.
• Troubleshoot protection and control systems and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct FAT/SAT for protection and control equipment.
• Collaborate with design teams, field operations, and project managers for project delivery.
• Ensure designs comply with standards and company specifications.
• Maintain documentation including settings files and logic diagrams.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree, Electrical Engineering (Power Systems)

Tools

Relay setting software

Protection simulation tools

SCADA integration

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a vital player in the energy infrastructure sector, is seeking an experienced Protection and Control Systems Engineer to join their team based in **Polokwane, Limpopo**. This role is essential for ensuring the reliable and secure operation of the region's electrical grid by designing, implementing, and maintaining sophisticated protection and control schemes. You will be responsible for analyzing system performance, selecting appropriate protection relays and control logic, and ensuring compliance with all relevant standards. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of power system protection principles, relay settings, and control system hardware. This is an on-site position, offering the opportunity to work on critical infrastructure projects and contribute directly to the stability and safety of the power supply. We are looking for a technically adept individual with strong analytical skills and a commitment to excellence. You will collaborate with a team of experienced engineers and technicians, contributing to the ongoing development and modernization of the power grid. Our client offers a challenging yet rewarding career path with opportunities for professional growth and development within the energy sector. A dedication to safety and operational integrity is paramount.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and commission protection and control systems for substations, power plants, and transmission lines.
• Develop protection settings for various types of relays (e.g., overcurrent, differential, distance, voltage).
• Perform fault analysis and coordination studies to ensure proper protection system operation.
• Specify and select protection relays, circuit breakers, control panels, and associated equipment.
• Develop logic diagrams and control schematics for automated grid operations.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose issues with protection and control systems, and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT) for protection and control equipment.
• Collaborate with design teams, field operations, and project managers to ensure successful project delivery.
• Ensure designs and implementations comply with relevant industry standards and company specifications.
• Maintain accurate documentation of protection and control systems, including settings files and logic diagrams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Power Systems.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in the design, application, and commissioning of power system protection and control systems.
• In-depth knowledge of protection principles for transmission and distribution systems.
• Experience with major protection relay manufacturers (e.g., SEL, GE, ABB, Siemens).
• Proficiency in using protection relay setting software and simulation tools.
• Understanding of SCADA systems and their integration with protection and control functions.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, single-line diagrams, and P&IDs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel within the **Polokwane, Limpopo** region.
• Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) registration is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Opportunities for advanced training and professional certifications.
• Generous annual leave and paid public holidays.
• Exposure to critical national power infrastructure projects.
• A collaborative and technically driven work environment.
• Company vehicle or travel allowance.
• Potential for career advancement and leadership roles.
• Stable and secure employment in the essential energy sector.
• Relocation assistance may be available for exceptional candidates.