Control & Instrumentation Engineer

SUMMARY:
The Control & Instrumentation Engineer reports to the Engineering Manager: E&I, and is responsible for ensuring the availability, integrity, safety, and lifecycle management of all control systems, while leading continuous improvement, plant projects, and process safety initiatives related to automation and instrumentation.

POSITION INFO:

Key performance area

1. PCS Ownership & Governance

• Act as the single point of accountability for Siemens PCS 7, PLCs, SCADA/HMI, safety systems, and plant control networks
• Define, maintain, and enforce control system standards, templates, and engineering philosophies aligned to industry best practice
• Ensure full lifecycle management of control systems, including design, commissioning, operation, maintenance, upgrades, and obsolescence planning

2. Operational Support & Plant Reliability

• Provide high-level technical support during major plant trips, abnormal situations, planned shutdowns, and plant startups
• Lead and support trip testing, interlock testing, and functional testing of control and safety systems during shutdowns and commissioning activities
• Ensure control systems are correctly configured, validated, and stable prior to plant restarts
• Lead analysis and permanent resolution of control system reliability issues
• Drive alarm management, control loop optimization, and reduction of nuisance alarms

3. Change Management & Safety Systems

• Govern all PCS-related changes through the Management of Change (MOC) process
• Ensure safety systems (SIS, interlocks, Safety Matrix) remain valid, tested, backed up, and compliant with IEC 61511
• Maintain strict version control, backup, and recovery procedures

4. Process Safety, HAZOP & RCA Leadership

• Lead or co-lead HAZOPs and automation-related risk assessments
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for control system incidents, trips, and near misses
• Translate safety and RCA findings into control logic, alarms, interlocks, and operating philosophies

5. Projects, Upgrades & Vendor Management

• Act as the technical authority for all plant projects involving PCS, PLCs, SCADA, and instrumentation
• Review and approve control system designs, specifications, FAT/SAT documentation, and commissioning plans
• Manage OEMs, system integrators, and contractors to ensure compliance with plant standards

6. Access Control, Cybersecurity & Compliance

• Be custodian of PCS access rights, cybersecurity principles, and system hardening
• Ensure segregation of networks, secure remote access, and alignment with Siemens cybersecurity guidelines
• Support internal and external audits related to control systems, safety, and compliance

7. Related SHERQ Responsibilities

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

• Track record in executing projects.
• Computer literacy in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point).
• Competency in Fieldbus networks: Profibus, Profinet and Ethernet.
• Specific industry-related system knowledge and DCS/PLC control system training.
• Maintain Control Systems access levels and Alarm management to international standards.
• Understanding of P&ID diagrams, electrical schematics and interpretation of custom cabinets.
• Control Loop Optimization and version control program knowledge.
• Process Safety Management (PSM) Systems and Legal Compliance System (Ariscu).
• Research and implement technologies to enhance process and machine control systems.
• Extensive knowledge of ISO 14001, 45001, 9001.
• Configuration of control software based on standards such as IEC 1131-3 and IEC 61511.
• Experience with medium to large-scale projects (200 to 5000 Inputs/Outputs) – (wish).
• Proficiency with Siemens PCS7, TIA Portal, or Step 7 and maintaining integrity of control system.

• Attention to details and ability to work under pressure.
• Be able to do detailed problem solving and decision making and analysis.
• Exceptional motivation and ability to deliver solutions within deadlines.

Experience

• 5 - 10 years’ experience in Electronics/Instrumentation/PLC systems.

Qualifications:

• Matric.
• Advanced Diploma/BTech/ BSc in Instrumentation/Electronics Engineering or similar.

Reporting structure:

This position reports to the Engineering Manager: E&I

Personal Circumstances:

• Must be able to obtain a satisfactory medical report from the companies’ medical centre.
• May be required to be on Standby.

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply, should the applicant be successful the incumbent will be reasonably accommodated depending on the inherent requirements of the job.

All applicants are thanked in advance for showing interest however correspondences will only be entered into with the shortlisted candidates.

Recruitment for this position will be conducted with the intention progressing our Employment Equity policy, targets, and objectives. The Company reserves the right not to fill this position