Remote Industrial Engineer - Digital Transformation Lead

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonuses

Remote-friendly culture

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is hiring a highly motivated Industrial Engineer to lead digital transformation initiatives in a remote-first setting across South Africa. You will drive Industry 4.0 initiatives, IoT integrations, AI solutions, and advanced analytics to boost efficiency and data-driven decision making.

You will develop roadmaps, guide implementation across projects, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in a relevant field (Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science).
• 7+ years in industrial engineering with strong digital transformation experience.
• Experience implementing IoT, AI, ML, or big data solutions in industrial settings.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing, supply chain, and operations management.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies (IoT, AI, ML, Big Data) for industrial use.
• Develop strategic roadmaps for digital transformation with timelines and outcomes.
• Lead design and implementation of digital solutions (smart sensors, connected systems, data analytics).
• Collaborate with IT, Operations, and Engineering to integrate digital tools into workflows.
• Define KPIs for digital initiatives and monitor impact on efficiency, quality and cost.
• Develop and deliver training to upskill teams on new digital tools and processes.
• Analyze large datasets to derive actionable insights and drive improvements.
• Stay updated on Industry 4.0 best practices and vendor relationships.

Skills

Digital transformation

Industry 4.0

Data analytics

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in advanced manufacturing solutions, is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Industrial Engineer to lead digital transformation initiatives. This is a 100% remote position, offering unparalleled flexibility to candidates across South Africa. The role will involve spearheading the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies, including IoT, AI, and advanced analytics, into our manufacturing processes to drive unprecedented levels of efficiency, agility, and data-driven decision-making. You will be responsible for identifying opportunities for digital enhancement, developing roadmaps, and guiding implementation across various projects. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking engineer with expertise in digital technologies, a strong understanding of industrial processes, and a proven ability to drive change in a remote-first environment. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of manufacturing from anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies (IoT, AI, ML, Big Data) for application in industrial processes and manufacturing operations.
• Develop strategic roadmaps for digital transformation, outlining key initiatives, timelines, and expected outcomes.
• Lead the design and implementation of digital solutions, including smart sensors, connected systems, and data analytics platforms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (IT, Operations, Engineering) to integrate digital solutions into existing workflows.
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for digital initiatives and monitor their impact on operational efficiency, quality, and cost.
• Develop and deliver training programs to upskill teams on new digital tools and processes.
• Analyze large datasets to extract actionable insights and drive continuous improvement.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices in digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0.
• Manage relationships with technology vendors and partners.
• Champion a digital-first mindset and foster innovation within the engineering team.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in industrial engineering, with a significant focus on digital transformation, Industry 4.0, or advanced analytics.
• Proven experience in implementing IoT, AI, machine learning, or big data solutions in an industrial setting.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain, and operations management.
• Expertise in data analysis, visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), and statistical modeling.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and relevant industrial IoT protocols.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects remotely.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, essential for a remote role.
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and comfortable working autonomously.
• A passion for innovation and a forward-thinking approach to industrial engineering challenges.

Benefits

This role offers a highly competitive salary, a flexible remote work arrangement, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and opportunities for significant professional development in cutting-edge technologies. Our client provides a dynamic and innovative work culture, exposure to global best practices, and the chance to be at the forefront of industrial digitalization. Performance bonuses and other attractive benefits are also part of the package.