Senior Instrumentation Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Performance bonuses

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Instrumentation Engineer for its Vereeniging site to design, implement, maintain and optimize instrumentation and control systems across production lines. You will lead PLC/DCS projects, select sensors and transmitters, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with process teams to improve reliability and efficiency in a major industrial hub.

The role requires a strong background in SIS/SIL, safety standards, and vendor management within a large-scale manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in instrumentation and control systems.
• Experience with PLC/DCS and sensors, plus strong control philosophy knowledge.
• Familiarity with Profibus/Modbus/Ethernet/IP and SIS/SIL desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design, specify, and implement instrumentation and control systems for new projects and plant upgrades.
• Ensure reliability, calibration, and performance of process instrumentation.
• Develop and maintain PLC/DCS logic and HMI/SCADA interfaces.
• Troubleshoot complex issues to minimize downtime and drive improvements.
• Lead projects, manage budgets, timelines, and vendor relationships.
• Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards and mentor juniors.
• Collaborate with process engineers to optimize system performance.

Skills

PLC programming

DCS systems

Instrumentation

Sensor technologies

Industrial networking

SIS/SIL knowledge

Vendor management

Project management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics

Tools

Siemens PLCs

Rockwell PLCs

HMI/SCADA

DCS tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in industrial manufacturing and process automation, is seeking an experienced Senior Instrumentation Engineer to join their state-of-the-art facility in Vereeniging, Gauteng . This role is pivotal in the design, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of sophisticated instrumentation and control systems across various production lines. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in industrial automation, sensor technologies, and PLC/DCS systems. This is a prime opportunity for a skilled engineer to contribute to operational excellence and technological advancement within a major industrial hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, specify, and implement instrumentation and control systems for new projects and plant upgrades.
• Ensure the reliability, accuracy, and calibration of all process instrumentation across the facility.
• Develop and maintain control system logic (PLC/DCS programming) and HMI/SCADA interfaces.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex instrumentation and control system issues, minimizing downtime.
• Conduct root cause analysis for instrumentation failures and implement preventative maintenance strategies.
• Manage instrumentation project budgets, timelines, and vendor relationships.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and quality control procedures.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior instrumentation technicians and engineers.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in instrumentation, automation technology, and control system software.
• Collaborate with process engineers and production teams to optimize system performance and efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in industrial instrumentation and control systems engineering.
• Proven experience with PLC programming (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell) and DCS systems.
• Proficiency in selecting and applying various types of industrial sensors, transmitters, and control valves.
• Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Profibus, Modbus, Ethernet/IP).
• Experience with safety instrumented systems (SIS) and SIL assessments is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and diagnostic skills.
• Strong project management and vendor management capabilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package reflecting expertise and responsibilities.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and specialized training.
• Exposure to advanced automation technologies and large-scale industrial projects.
• Annual bonuses and potential for performance-related rewards.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• A stable and supportive work environment in a key industrial area of Gauteng .
• Potential for career advancement within a well-established organization.