Senior Electrical & Automation Design Engineer

SUMMARY:
Job Title:  Senior Electrical & Automation Design Engineer
Location: Southern Suburbs  - Western Cape 
Industry: Water Treatment | Industrial Automation | Engineering
Type:  Full-Time      / Environment:  Fast-paced, project-driven, engineering-focused

About the Role
Our client, a leader in sustainable water and wastewater treatment solutions, is seeking a Senior Electrical & Automation Design Engineer to join their engineering team.  This role is ideally suited to a technically strong, hands-on engineer who enjoys taking ownership of projects from initial concept and design through to installation, commissioning, and final handover. Working across a variety of industrial water treatment projects, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing robust electrical and automation solutions while supporting the delivery of technically complex systems throughout the full project lifecycle.  Working closely with Mechanical, Process, Project Management and Operations teams, the role requires strong electrical design capability, PLC and SCADA programming expertise, and a proactive approach to solving technical challenges both in the workshop and on client sites.

POSITION INFO:
What you’ll be doing

• Design electrical control systems and develop detailed electrical schematics using EPLAN (preferred) or similar electrical CAD software.
• Develop and maintain PLC software using Siemens TIA Portal and/or Rockwell Studio 5000 platforms.
• Design, develop and configure SCADA and HMI applications for industrial process control systems.
• Produce electrical panel layouts, wiring diagrams, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and supporting manufacturing documentation.
• Select appropriate electrical and automation components while supporting procurement activities.
• Perform Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), workshop testing, and system validation prior to delivery.
• Provide installation support, commissioning, start-up assistance, and technical troubleshooting on customer sites.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical and automation faults during commissioning and operational support.
• Develop, improve and maintain company electrical engineering standards, documentation, and best practices.
• Collaborate closely with Mechanical, Process and Project Engineers to ensure seamless integration of multidisciplinary designs.
• Ensure compliance with applicable electrical standards, safety regulations, and engineering quality requirements.
• Prepare technical documentation, operating manuals, test reports, and commissioning documentation.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through standardization and optimisation of electrical and automation designs.
• Travel to project sites as required to support installation, commissioning, testing, and client handover activities.

• BEng, BTech or National Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years' experience within industrial automation or control systems engineering (8+ years preferred).
• Strong experience in industrial electrical design and schematic development.
• Proficiency in EPLAN or similar electrical design software.
• Experience programming PLCs using Siemens TIA Portal and/or Rockwell Studio 5000.
• Practical experience developing SCADA and HMI systems.
• Strong understanding of industrial instrumentation including:
• 4–20 mA instrumentation
• RTDs
• Modbus
• Profinet
• Ethernet/IP
• Industrial communications networks
• Experience with MCCs, Variable Speed Drives (VSDs), motor control systems, and industrial control panels.
• Ability to perform electrical fault finding, commissioning, and system optimisation.
• Strong understanding of electrical standards, control philosophies, and industrial automation best practices.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and take ownership of engineering deliverables.
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel for commissioning and site support when required.
• South African citizen or legally eligible to work in South Africa.

• OEM Machine Building
• Industrial Automation
• Water & Wastewater Treatment
• Food & Beverage Manufacturing
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• General Manufacturing
• Mining
• Process Plants

• Competitive salary package based on experience and qualifications.
• Opportunity to lead technically challenging automation and electrical engineering projects from concept through commissioning.
• Exposure to complex industrial control systems across municipal and industrial water treatment applications.
• Work within a collaborative multidisciplinary engineering team committed to innovation and technical excellence.
• Ongoing opportunities for professional growth, technical development, and involvement in cutting-edge automation technologies.

• This is a technically demanding role requiring a high level of ownership and engineering accountability.
• The successful candidate will be involved throughout the complete project lifecycle - from concept design and detailed engineering through manufacturing support, commissioning, and client handover.
• Regular interaction with workshop teams, project managers, clients, suppliers, and site personnel forms an important part of the role.
• Occasional travel will be required for factory testing, installation support, commissioning, and troubleshooting activities.
• Success in this role requires strong technical capability, excellent attention to detail, effective communication skills, and a genuine passion for solving complex engineering challenges.