Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Mining Expert at Hatch

Job description

Requisition ID: 5483

Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

With over six decades of business and technical experience in the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors, we understand that challenges are changing rapidly in every industry. We respond quickly with solutions that are smarter, more efficient, and innovative. We draw upon our 9,000 staff with experience in over 150 countries to challenge the status quo and create positive change for our clients, our employees, and the communities we serve.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Mining Expert

Scope of Position

Mining clients are embarking in their digital transformation journey. A fundamental element is the network and telecommunications backbone which is a major challenge in mining environment specially in underground. Hatch is expanding our Digital capacity in South Africa to bring digital solutions as close to the mine face. Some of the digital solutions may include autonomous equipment, collision detection, the connected worker, underground mining operations management, robotics applications, Industrial internet of things (IIoT), cyber-security among others.

The successful candidate will be an entrepreneurial thought leader and demonstrated hands-on experience on designing and implementation of network and telecommunication applications in complex and challenging industrial environments. Further, the candidate will have to work with clients on the implementation of these network and telecommunication applications. The candidate will have to develop, coach and mentor intermediate and junior resources on the design and implementation of ICT applications. The successful candidate will be able collaborate with our Subject Matter Experts, Chief Architects in other offices to improve quality and/or develop new Hatch standards and best practices.

The ICT expert role requires someone who understand the requirements (including regulations) of industrial environments specially underground mining in South Africa, wireless telecommunications, IT and OT communication protocols, cyber-security standards among others.

Functional Tasks

• Remain abreast of the technology trends.
• Work with the Chief Digital Architects to refine the Hatch Digital Mine architecture and other digital solutions
• Work closely with other ICT experts to leverage best practices and standards from other regions and industries (e.g. infrastructure and energy)
• Support business development activities
• Coach / Mentor others using a hands-on approach to further develop ICT expertise and capacity in Hatch
• Develop, refine and own Hatch Standards (e.g. methodologies and frameworks) for ICT applications
• Build a culture of collaboration with peers and partners
• Manage relationship with key network and telecommunication partners
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert for the Digital BU representing it at conferences, speaking engagements, and other external industry related events.
• Participate and contribute in the underground mining communications of the Global Mining Standards and Guidelines group (GMSG)
• Responsible for signing and approving ICT applications in South Africa

Key Performance Deliverables

In light of the identified responsibilities, the following are specific deliverables that the position is designed to achieve:

Specific measures of performance will be discussed with and agreed upon with the successful candidate but will include responsibility for the achievement of successful ICT implementations in Africa, Middle East and Europe (AEM) region.

Preferred Experience / Education

The following indicates specific industry, academic and functional experience/qualifications that are important to the successful achievement of the identified responsibilities and performance deliverables.

• A professional with engineering or computer science degree / diploma with minimum of 15 years of experience in designing and implementing ICT applications
• Project Management qualification is an asset
• Excellent understanding of wireless telecommunications types (e.g. Wi-Fi, LoRa, LPWAN, Bluetooth, LTE, Satellite, Private Networks)
• Hands on experience with underground network and telecommunications technologies (e.g. wireless / IEEE 802.11 / MESH networks, fiber optics, leaky feeders)
• Experience with different technologies from the providers such as Aruba Networks, Cambium Networks, CISCO, Concentris Systems, Firetide, Motorola, Newtrax, P2 Wireless Technologies, Quorvus systems, Rajant, Redline Communications, Synapse Wireless and/or Zebra Technologies
• Experience using tools such as Solarwinds
• Experience developing business continuity / disaster recovery plans
• Experience with audits and assessments of network and telecommunication infrastructure, and Wireless / RF surveys or coverage analysis
• Experience with control and automation networks that supports protocols such as OPC, Ethernet IP, Fieldbus, HART
• Experience with voice, radio, telemetry, access controls, dispatch, central blasting and control, and/or tracking (active or passive tags) applications
• Experience in working with distributed teams of professionals
• Experience building technical acumen on technology from different vendors and other parties relationships
• Experience providing technical leadership to other project teams
• Experience specifying edge / embedded hardware and electrical requirements
• Knowledge of cyber-security standards is an asset
• Knowledge of IIoT-related protocols – MQTT, AMQP, STOMP is an asset
• Knowledge of cloud / edge environments in Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google is an asset
• Industrial and/or manufacturing environment experience is an asset
• Strong business development orientation is preferred

We are committed to fostering a workforce in each of our locations that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate. Hatch is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers employment applicants without regard to age, race, colour, national origin, citizenship, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or any other protected status. If you have any special needs requirements, please let us know. We will do our utmost to accommodate, in accordance with applicable local legislation.