Remote Industrial Engineer - Digital Transformation Lead

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level compensation package

Health, dental, vision, life insurance

Retirement savings plan with company-m

Remote work flexibility

Equity or profit-sharing opportunities

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a forward-thinking Remote Industrial Engineer to drive digital transformation across global operations, leveraging IoT, AI, and analytics to optimize production and enable data-driven decisions.

The role focuses on digital twins, cloud platforms, and cybersecurity within industrial environments, working remotely with cross-functional teams to deliver tangible efficiency gains.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in industrial engineering with focus on digital transformation, Industry 4.0, and automation.
• Proven experience implementing digital solutions (IoT, AI/ML, data analytics) in industrial settings.
• Experience leading global projects remotely with strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead worldwide digital transformation initiatives based on Industry 4.0 principles.
• Analyze processes to leverage IoT, AI/ML, and analytics for optimization.
• Develop digital solutions to improve production visibility and decision-making.
• Design and deploy digital twin technologies for simulation and predictive maintenance.
• Collaborate remotely with IT, engineering, operations, and management for seamless integration.
• Establish KPIs and dashboards to monitor efficiency and impact of digital initiatives.
• Prepare business cases for new digital technologies and automation investments.
• Provide technical leadership on smart factory best practices and vendor management.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Remote collaboration

Stakeholder management

Python programming

Education

Master's/PhD in Industrial Engineering, CS or Data Science

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

IoT platforms

AI/ML tools

Cloud platforms

Simulation software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in innovative industrial solutions, is seeking a forward-thinking Remote Industrial Engineer to spearhead their digital transformation initiatives. This fully remote role is designed for a visionary engineer who will drive the integration of digital technologies, data analytics, and automation into our client's operational processes worldwide. You will be instrumental in conceptualizing and implementing Industry 4.0 strategies, optimizing workflows through digital tools, and enhancing operational efficiency on a global scale. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in industrial engineering, a deep understanding of digital technologies, and proven experience in leading large-scale transformation projects from a remote capacity. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of industrial operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and implementation of digital transformation initiatives across global operations, focusing on Industry 4.0 principles.
• Analyze current industrial processes and identify opportunities for leveraging digital technologies such as IoT, AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics.
• Develop and deploy digital solutions to optimize production, improve data visibility, and enhance decision-making across all manufacturing sites.
• Design and oversee the implementation of digital twin technologies for process simulation, optimization, and predictive maintenance.
• Collaborate remotely with cross-functional teams, including IT, engineering, operations, and management, to ensure seamless integration of digital solutions.
• Establish digital performance metrics (KPIs) and dashboards to monitor operational efficiency, productivity, and the impact of digital initiatives.
• Conduct feasibility studies and business cases for new digital technologies and automation investments.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on best practices for digital manufacturing and smart factory concepts.
• Manage external vendors and technology partners involved in the digital transformation efforts.
• Champion a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement through digital enablement.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field with a strong industrial engineering foundation.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in industrial engineering, with a significant focus on digital transformation, Industry 4.0, and automation.
• Demonstrated expertise in implementing digital solutions such as IoT platforms, AI/ML applications, and advanced data analytics in industrial settings.
• Proven experience leading complex, global projects in a remote work environment.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Superior communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills, adapted for remote interaction.
• Proficiency with simulation software, data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), and relevant programming languages (e.g., Python).
• Understanding of cloud computing platforms and cybersecurity principles in industrial environments.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of self-discipline and initiative.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive-level compensation package including substantial base salary and performance bonus.
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage.
• Generous retirement savings plan with company matching.
• Significant opportunities for professional development, including training on cutting-edge digital technologies.
• Complete remote work flexibility and autonomy.
• Annual equity grants or profit-sharing opportunities.
• Access to state-of-the-art digital tools and resources.