Senior Instrumentation and Control Engineer

Placements24; Soweto; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid and retirement fund

Professional training & development

Career progression opportunities

On-site facilities & supportive team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Instrumentation and Control Engineer to join our client in Soweto, Gauteng. The role involves designing, implementing, and maintaining advanced instrumentation and control systems for manufacturing facilities.

You will specify sensors and instruments, develop PLC/DCS logic, calibrate equipment, and troubleshoot complex system issues while ensuring safety and compliance with IEC/ISA standards. Travel and on-call duties may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in instrumentation and control in industrial/manufacturing environments.
• Proven PLC programming experience (Siemens, Allen-Bradley) and DCS exposure.
• Strong knowledge of industrial instrumentation (pressure, temp, flow, level).
• Ability to read P&ID, loop diagrams and electrical schematics.
• Experience with SCADA and HMI development.
• Familiarity with SIL safety standards is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design instrumentation and control systems for industrial processes (sensors, transmitters, analyzers).
• Develop, program, test, and troubleshoot PLCs and DCS systems.
• Implement advanced control strategies to optimize efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Calibrate instruments and verify performance against specs.
• Troubleshoot failures and identify root causes; implement solutions.
• Create P&ID, loop diagrams, and wiring schematics using CAD software.
• Ensure designs comply with IEC/ISA standards and safety regulations.
• Collaborate with project teams during design, commissioning and handover.
• Provide training and technical support to maintenance and operations teams.
• Perform system audits and diagnostics for reliability and performance.
• Develop maintenance procedures and best practices.

Skills

PLC programming

DCS systems

Instrumentation

P&ID interpretation

SCADA

HMI development

functional safety (SIL)

analytical thinking

communication

team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics

Tools

Siemens PLC

Allen-Bradley PLC

DCS platforms

SCADA software

HMI software

3D CAD / P&ID tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the industrial manufacturing sector, is seeking a Senior Instrumentation and Control Engineer to join their dynamic team in Soweto, Gauteng . This role is crucial for designing, implementing, and maintaining the sophisticated instrumentation and control systems that ensure the efficient and safe operation of their production facilities. You will be responsible for specifying, selecting, and calibrating instruments, developing control logic (PLC/DCS), troubleshooting complex system issues, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. The ideal candidate possesses a strong technical foundation in electrical engineering, automation, and process control, coupled with excellent problem-solving skills and a meticulous approach to work. You will collaborate closely with process engineers, maintenance teams, and external vendors to optimize system performance, improve reliability, and implement new control strategies. We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented professional who can contribute significantly to the operational excellence and safety of our client's plant in Soweto, Gauteng . Your expertise is vital in maintaining and advancing our client's automated manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, specify, and select instrumentation (e.g., sensors, transmitters, analyzers) and control systems (PLC, DCS, SCADA) for industrial processes.
• Develop, program, test, and troubleshoot control logic for PLCs and DCS systems.
• Implement and maintain advanced control strategies to optimize process efficiency, product quality, and safety.
• Calibrate instruments and verify system performance against specifications.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation and control system failures, identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions.
• Work with 3D CAD software to generate P&ID drawings, loop diagrams, and wiring schematics.
• Ensure all designs and installations comply with relevant industry standards (e.g., IEC, ISA) and safety regulations.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and technicians during project execution, from design through commissioning.
• Provide technical support and training to maintenance personnel and operations staff on instrumentation and control systems.
• Perform regular system audits and diagnostics to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
• Contribute to the development of maintenance procedures and best practices for instrumentation and control hardware/software.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in instrumentation and control engineering within an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience with PLC programming (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley) and DCS systems.
• Strong knowledge of industrial instrumentation, including pressure, temperature, flow, and level measurement devices.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting P&ID, loop diagrams, and electrical schematics.
• Experience with SCADA systems and HMI development.
• Familiarity with functional safety standards (e.g., SIL) is an advantage.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and diagnostic skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to travel occasionally and be available for on-call duties as required.
• Must be located in or willing to relocate to the Soweto, Gauteng area.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical aid and retirement fund.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advanced technical training.
• Exposure to cutting-edge automation technologies and industrial processes.
• Stable employment with a reputable industrial leader.
• Supportive team environment focused on innovation and operational excellence.
• Participation in challenging and impactful engineering projects.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Annual leave and company holidays.
• Access to specialized engineering tools and software.
• Career progression pathways within the organization.