Senior Project Engineer - Manufacturing Automation

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with bonuses

Healthcare plan

Retirement fund

Paid vacation

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Project Engineer in Pretoria, Gauteng, to lead end-to-end automation projects. You will manage scopes, timelines, budgets, and cross-functional teams across mechanical, electrical, and software domains to deliver high-quality solutions.

The role requires a strong track record in manufacturing automation, robotics, PLCs, and HMI, with PMP or Agile experience. On-site work in Pretoria with substantial responsibility and growth potential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• 6+ years in project engineering or project management in manufacturing automation.
• Proven track record delivering complex automation projects.
• Strong knowledge of robotics, PLCs, HMI, and control systems.
• Excellent knowledge of project management methodologies (PMP, Agile).
• Proficiency with project management software (MS Project, Asana).
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of manufacturing automation projects, including planning, execution, monitoring, and closing.
• Develop project scopes, timelines, and budgets with clients and internal teams.
• Lead cross-functional engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, software, controls).
• Oversee design, development, and integration of automated systems (robotics, PLCs, HMI).
• Ensure projects meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and address challenges proactively.
• Serve as primary client contact, managing relationships and communications.
• Conduct site surveys and feasibility studies; develop proposals for new opportunities.
• Track progress, prepare status reports, and lead project reviews.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in the project engineering department.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk mitigation

Industrial automation knowledge

Robotics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MS Project

Asana

PLC programming

HMI design

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading provider of advanced manufacturing solutions, is seeking a results-oriented Senior Project Engineer to join their team in Pretoria, Gauteng . This role is pivotal in managing and delivering complex automation projects for a diverse clientele. You will be responsible for the end-to-end project lifecycle, from initial concept development and scope definition through to implementation, commissioning, and final handover. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in mechanical or electrical engineering, coupled with extensive experience in project management and automation systems. You will work closely with clients to understand their needs, lead engineering teams, and ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned engineer looking to take on significant responsibility and drive innovation in the manufacturing sector within Pretoria .

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of manufacturing automation projects, including planning, execution, monitoring, and closing.
• Develop project scopes, technical specifications, timelines, and budgets in collaboration with clients and internal teams.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, software, controls).
• Oversee the design, development, and integration of automated systems, including robotics, PLCs, and HMI.
• Ensure projects adhere to safety standards, quality requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Identify and mitigate project risks, proactively addressing challenges to ensure successful outcomes.
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, managing relationships and communication throughout the project.
• Conduct site surveys, feasibility studies, and develop proposals for new automation opportunities.
• Track project progress, prepare status reports, and conduct project review meetings.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the project engineering department.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in project engineering or project management, specifically within manufacturing automation.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and delivering complex automation projects.
• Strong understanding of industrial automation technologies, including robotics, PLC programming, HMI design, and control systems.
• Excellent knowledge of project management methodologies (e.g., PMP, Agile).
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Asana).
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyze technical requirements and translate them into project plans.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Pretoria, Gauteng.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, including annual bonuses and performance incentives. Employees benefit from a comprehensive healthcare plan, a generous retirement fund, and ample paid vacation. Opportunities for professional development, including specialized training and certification programs, are readily available. The work environment in Pretoria is dynamic and collaborative, fostering innovation and teamwork. Our client is committed to providing a challenging and rewarding career path for its employees, offering exposure to cutting-edge technologies and diverse projects in the manufacturing sector. Specific details about additional benefits will be provided upon successful application.