Senior Industrial Automation Engineer: PLC/SCADA

Level Up - Your Talent Partner; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Level Up - Your Talent Partner in Johannesburg seeks an Industrial Automation Engineer to lead the design, development and delivery of complex automation projects from system design and programming through FAT, SAT, commissioning and handover.

You will drive process optimisation, governance and presales support while mentoring engineers and ensuring conformance to ISO processes and safety standards.

Qualifications

• B.Eng or BTech in Electrical, Electronic or Mechatronic Engineering.
• Minimum 7 years' experience in industrial automation.
• Proven experience with Siemens or equivalent PLC, SCADA and DCS platforms.
• Demonstrated experience leading or mentoring engineering teams.
• Exposure to industrial automation projects across multiple sectors (FMCG, mining, water).
• Experience in PLC programming (Siemens TIA Portal, Step 7, PCS 7, Rockwell, Schneider).
• Experience in SCADA/HMI development (WinCC, Ignition, AVEVA).
• Knowledge of network protocols (Profinet, Profibus, Modbus).
• Functional safety knowledge and SIL-rated design.
• ISO project processes and documentation.
• 1 year VSDs/soft starters experience.
• CAD for system design and wiring schematics.
• Factory Acceptance Testing and handover experience.
• MS Office proficiency.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Develop complete automation system architectures with PLCs, SCADA and field instrumentation.
• Analyse requirements and design automation solutions for process needs.
• Engineer control logic, HMI/SCADA interfaces and networks (Siemens TIA Portal, PCS 7, WinCC).
• Oversee integration of field devices, drives and instrumentation.
• Lead FAT, SAT, commissioning and final handover activities.
• Ensure proper configuration and alignment with project designs.
• Coordinate with site personnel to ensure safe and efficient installations.
• Conduct signal verification, loop testing and acceptance testing.
• Verify I/O operation, interlocks and safety systems; document discrepancies.
• Lead process improvement and energy-efficiency initiatives.
• Manage MOC for software changes; ensure traceability.
• Conduct risk assessments per ISO and safety requirements.
• Oversee projects per PM framework; monitor metrics.
• Mentor and develop engineers through structured programs.
• Support presales with scoping and estimation.
• Rotational standby after hours and on weekends.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA development

Project leadership

Mentoring

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Process improvement

CAD drawing

Education

B.Eng or BTech in Electrical, Electronic or Mechatronic Engineering

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

PCS 7

WinCC

Ignition

AVEVA

Rockwell

Schneider

Job description

Level Up - Your Talent Partner in Johannesburg seeks an Industrial Automation Engineer to lead the design, development and delivery of complex automation projects from system design and programming through FAT, SAT, commissioning and handover.

You will drive process optimisation, governance and presales support while mentoring engineers and ensuring conformance to ISO processes and safety standards.