Remote Principal Electrical Engineer - Industrial Automation

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Generous pension fund

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is hiring a Principal Electrical Engineer to lead the design and implementation of sophisticated electrical control systems for global industrial automation projects. This fully remote role emphasizes technical leadership, mentorship, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

The candidate will guide PLC/HMI/SCADA development, ensure safety and regulatory compliance, and drive innovation across projects with a distributed engineering team.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related field.
• 12+ years of experience in industrial automation and electrical engineering with focus on architecture and design.
• Deep expertise in PLC programming, HMI development, and SCADA systems.
• Strong knowledge of industrial networking protocols (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP).
• Experience with robotics integration and safety-rated control systems is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and mentor engineering staff.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and strong remote collaboration abilities.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) certification is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design and development of electrical control systems for industrial automation.
• Oversee specification, selection, and integration of PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, and robotics.
• Develop detailed electrical schematics, control panel designs, and network architectures.
• Perform diagnostics, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor engineers and technicians.
• Collaborate with mechanical design, software, and project management in a virtual environment.
• Ensure designs comply with IEC 61508, ISO 13849, and industry regulations.
• Drive adoption of new technologies and methodologies to improve solutions.
• Support commissioning and validation phases of projects remotely.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

SCADA systems

Industrial networking

Robotics integration

Leadership

Mentoring

Problem solving

Remote collaboration

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

Rockwell Studio 5000

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in advanced manufacturing solutions, is looking for a highly experienced and motivated Principal Electrical Engineer to join their globally distributed engineering team. This role operates on a fully remote basis, focusing on the design and implementation of complex industrial automation systems. You will be at the forefront of developing innovative electrical solutions that enhance efficiency, safety, and performance in manufacturing environments. As a Principal Engineer, you will provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and drive best practices across projects. This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior professional to make a significant impact on critical industrial processes while enjoying the flexibility and autonomy of a remote work arrangement. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative, innovative, and supportive remote work culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and development of sophisticated electrical control systems for industrial automation.
• Oversee the specification, selection, and integration of PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, and robotics.
• Develop detailed electrical schematics, control panel designs, and network architectures.
• Perform advanced system diagnostics, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Provide expert technical leadership and mentorship to a team of electrical engineers and technicians.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical design, software development, and project management teams in a virtual environment.
• Ensure designs comply with international safety standards (e.g., IEC 61508, ISO 13849) and industry-specific regulations.
• Drive the adoption of new technologies and methodologies to improve automation solutions.
• Conduct technical reviews and provide authoritative recommendations on complex electrical engineering challenges.
• Support the commissioning and validation phases of automation projects from a remote capacity.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.
• 12+ years of experience in industrial automation and electrical engineering, with a proven focus on system architecture and design.
• Deep expertise in PLC programming (e.g., Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000), HMI development, and SCADA systems.
• Strong knowledge of industrial networking protocols (e.g., EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP).
• Experience with robotics integration and safety-rated control systems is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and mentor engineering staff.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a strategic approach to complex engineering challenges.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for effective remote collaboration.
• Must be highly self-motivated and capable of working independently in a Yes remote setting.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) certification is highly preferred.

Benefits

• This position offers a highly competitive salary, significant performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including private health insurance, a generous pension fund, and paid time off.
• Our client supports continuous professional development through online training, industry certifications, and virtual conference attendance.
• You will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects with a global impact, utilizing advanced digital collaboration tools.
• We foster a culture that values work-life balance, autonomy, and employee well-being.
• This role is based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal but is fully remote, offering unparalleled flexibility.