Project Lead Engineer - Automation (Power and Water Sector)

Recruiter:

Fempower

Job Ref:

257879

Date posted:

Friday, June 27, 2025

Location:

Johannesburg, South Africa

SUMMARY:
-

POSITION INFO:

We are seeking an experienced Project Lead Engineer with strong Control & Instrumentation (C&I) expertise to drive automation projects in the energy sector. This role requires a blend of technical leadership, IT integration skills, and hands-on C&I experience to ensure seamless project execution in power generation and water treatment environments.

Why Apply?

Lead high-impact projects in a global energy leader.
Hybrid work flexibility (office/site/remote).
Career growth in automation and digitalisation.

Required Skills & Experience:

Bachelor’s in Electrical/Electronic/Mechatronic Engineering (or related field)
8+ years in Automation Engineering, with proven C&I experience in power generation/water industries
Hands-on expertise in:
- Industrial control systems (DCS/PLC/SCADA) – ABB 800xA/Symphony Plus (preferred) or Siemens/Emerson equivalents
- Industrial IT/OT networks (configuration, firewalls, VLANs)
- Cybersecurity standards (IEC 62443, NIST SP 800-82)
Professional registration (ECSA/Pr.Eng) is a plus

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership: Act as the design authority for C&I systems, ensuring compliance with safety, cybersecurity, and industry standards
System Integration: Oversee DCS/PLC/SCADA systems (e.g., ABB 800xA, Siemens PCS 7, Emerson Ovation) and industrial IT networks
Project Execution: Lead multi-disciplinary teams (up to 10 engineers), review design deliverables, and support commissioning
Cybersecurity & IT: Implement secure-by-design principles for OT/IT convergence, including network hardening and risk assessments
Mentorship: Coach junior engineers on C&I best practices and troubleshooting

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