Automation Engineer at Scibotron (Pty) Ltd.

Job description

Experience

5+ years

Summary

An exciting opportunity exists for a project engineer in the process control and automation field.

The ideal candidate must have knowledge of process manufacturing, field instrumentation and control system installation. The candidate must also exhibit implementation expertise in all of the following project phases: requirements documentation, detailed design generation, implementation, system integration, testing and on-site commissioning.

The candidate must be able to plan and coordinate technical design and engineering implementation of projects.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities are those typical of a Project Engineer and include:

• Design, configuration, integration and implementation of process control solutions for various industries.
• Developing P&IDs and loop descriptions for various plants, processes, and/or equipment.
• Developing User Requirement Specifications.
• Developing software and hardware design specifications.
• Designing, writing, implementing, testing and documenting of PLC and HMI software.
• Designing system architectures.
• Developing control system validation/testing protocols
• Specifying and purchasing process instrumentation.
• Specifying and purchasing PLCs, drives, and other electrical components and equipment.
• Developing electrical panel schematics.
• Developing scope of supply documents.
• Assisting with estimates of man-hours required to complete projects.
• Managing automation projects as assigned.
• Monitoring progress of projects.
• Installing, testing, and commissioning control systems on-site.
• Training operators and engineers on control systems.

Soft Skills

• Strong morals and work ethic which is transparent and respects people
• Must be self-driven and teachable.
• Ability to work with plant engineers, external vendors, operators and management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast paced multi-tasking environment.
• Continuously seeking to develop personal skills. Self driven and ambitious.
• Be willing to travel and work away from home.
• Be willing to work long hours when required by the project.

Qualifications

• A B.Ing, B.Sc or B.Tech in Electrical, Electronic or Software Engineering or equivalent combination of education and technical experience.
• Pr.Eng, Pr.Tech (or working towards one) would be advantageous.

Skills and Knowledge

• A minimum of five (5) years experience in either a consulting engineering firm or in a project engineering environment.
• Thorough knowledge of process instrumentation and control systems.
• Experience working with a variety of control systems including DDC, DCS and PLCs.
• Experience designing and programming control systems with emphasis on PLCs, SCADA or HMI systems.
• Experience with a combination of Siemens (PCS7, Step7, WinCC), Allen Bradley (Controllogix, RSView), Schneider (Citect, Wonderware, Modicon) or DCS system is mandatory.
• Experience in commissioning and startup of control systems is required.
• Ability to troubleshoot control systems from the field element up through operator interfaces and databases.
• Experience with control system networking technologies and PC networking technology.
• Experience working with SQL Server, Oracle, or other relational databases.
• Experience with Visual Basic and C scripting.
• Familiarity with a 3rd generation programming IDE would be advantageous.
• Programming experience or training in a variety of languages is mandatory.
• Experience with Windows and Linux is mandatory.
• Experience with databases is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Office packages is mandatory.
• Experience in mining, energy or food-and-beverage industry is required.

The preferred candidate will be a systems thinker who is able to apply himself / herself in application of knowledge from first principles. The candidate should also exhibit potential to challenge conventional methodologies and determine the best technical implementation method.