Senior Instrumentation and Control Engineer

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Professional development

State-of-the-art automation tech

Annual leave

Career growth

Job summary

Placements24 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks a Senior Instrumentation and Control Engineer to design, implement, and maintain advanced control systems for energy and petrochemical facilities. You will lead projects, troubleshoot complex issues, and mentor junior team members while ensuring SIS integrity and safety compliance.

The role emphasizes DCS/PLC expertise, safety instrumented systems, and strong leadership to drive operational excellence in a high-tech industrial environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years in instrumentation and control in an industrial setting.
• Experience with DCS/PLC from major vendors.
• Strong SIS knowledge and functional safety principles.
• Knowledge of networking, protocols, and cybersecurity.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and commission advanced instrumentation and control systems (DCS, PLC, SCADA).
• Develop and maintain control strategies and system configurations.
• Ensure integrity and reliability of SIS per IEC 61511 or equivalent.
• Perform root cause analysis for system failures and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with operations and maintenance to optimize performance.
• Manage projects including scope, budgeting, and scheduling.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians.
• Stay updated with latest automation technologies.

Skills

DCS/PLC systems

SIS safety

Root cause analysis

Project leadership

Industrial networking

Education

Electrical Engineering

Mechatronics

Tools

Honeywell

Emerson

Siemens

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a major player in the energy and petrochemical sector, committed to operational excellence and technological innovation. We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Instrumentation and Control Engineer to join our team in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. This role is critical for designing, implementing, and maintaining sophisticated instrumentation and control systems that ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of our industrial facilities. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in process automation, control logic development, DCS/PLC systems, and safety instrumented systems (SIS). You will be responsible for leading complex engineering projects, troubleshooting control system issues and mentoring junior engineers. This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to work on advanced systems within a leading company that values expertise and professional growth in the Pietermaritzburg area.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and commission advanced instrumentation and control systems, including DCS, PLC, and SCADA.
• Develop and maintain control strategies, logic diagrams, and system configurations.
• Ensure the integrity and reliability of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) in compliance with relevant standards (e.g., IEC 61511).
• Perform root cause analysis for instrumentation and control system failures and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with operations and maintenance teams to optimize system performance and troubleshoot issues.
• Manage instrumentation and control engineering projects, including scope definition, budgeting, and scheduling.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians.
• Stay updated with the latest technologies in industrial automation and control.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in instrumentation and control engineering within an industrial setting, preferably in the energy or petrochemical industry.
• Proficiency with Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) from major vendors (e.g., Honeywell, Emerson, Siemens).
• Strong understanding of safety instrumented systems (SIS) and functional safety principles.
• Experience with control system networking, industrial communication protocols, and cybersecurity.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and diagnostic skills.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.
• Knowledge of standards and regulations relevant to the KwaZulu-Natal industrial sector.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and attractive benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certification.
• Exposure to state-of-the-art industrial automation technologies.
• A dynamic and supportive work environment in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
• Generous annual leave and company-provided bonuses.
• Career growth prospects within a major energy corporation.