Senior Automation Engineer Position: Permanent. Company located in Johannesburg West Rand near Roodepoort. Working at company premises, factory sites, and external customers. Must be willing to relocate near client’s company if needed; petrol paid by yourself. Qualifications National Diploma or Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, or related field. Trade qualification (advantageous). Formal training or facilitation certification (advantageous). 5+ years’ working experience in PLC support, controls engineering, or automation maintenance. Proven experience delivering technical training or mentoring technicians. Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting skills (e.g., Siemens, Omron, Rockwell, Mitsubishi, Texas Instruments, CTI). Experience in HMI and SCADA configuration and support. Industrial networking experience (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, EtherCAT, Modbus). Experience with servo drives, VFDs, and motion control systems. Electrical fault finding and interpretation of schematics. Robotics and machine vision experience (advantageous). Exposure to manufacturing, automotive, FMCG, logistics, or process industries preferred. Optional / Advantageous: Functional safety and safety PLCs; Industry 4.0 / MES integration; Simulation and digital twin environments; Curriculum design and e-learning content development; Multi-language training delivery. Responsibilities Provide advanced technical support, troubleshooting, and optimization of PLC-based automation systems. Diagnose and resolve PLC, HMI, SCADA, robotics, and motion control faults. Provide onsite and remote technical support to customers and internal teams. Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for recurring issues. Support breakdown response and urgent technical interventions. Modify, debug, and optimize PLC programs to improve performance and reliability. Assist with commissioning new equipment, including I/O checks and system validation. Support PLC upgrades, migrations, and standardization initiatives. Maintain software backups, version control, and configuration management. Develop and deliver structured PLC and automation training programs. Conduct classroom, onsite, and hands‑on practical training sessions. Create training materials, manuals, presentations, and lab exercises. Assess trainee competency and provide coaching and mentorship. Support customer upskilling initiatives and knowledge transfer during project handover. Assist customers in developing preventative maintenance strategies. Perform system audits, health checks, and firmware updates. Support spare parts identification and obsolescence management. Maintain accurate documentation including PLC programs, electrical drawings, and support records. Develop troubleshooting guides, training notes, and technical knowledge base content. Provide detailed service and training reports. Engage with customers professionally and build long‑term technical relationships. Support project teams during commissioning, SAT, and production ramp‑up phases. Provide operator and maintenance training during system deployment. Training & Facilitation Skills Ability to simplify complex automation concepts for technicians and operators. Strong presentation and facilitation skills. Experience developing structured training programs and learning materials. Coaching, mentoring, and competency assessment capabilities. Soft Skills & Competencies Strong analytical and problem‑solving ability. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Customer‑focused and service‑oriented mindset. Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities. Strong organizational and documentation skills. Working Conditions Combination of office, workshop, training room, and onsite customer environments. Local and occasional regional travel required. After‑hours support or training may be required. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Automation system uptime and fault resolution time. Training effectiveness and trainee competency outcomes. Customer satisfaction and feedback scores. Quality and completeness of technical documentation. Successful commissioning and knowledge transfer during projects. Career Progression Senior Automation Engineer Controls Training Specialist Automation Team Lead / Technical Manager Solutions Architect or Automation Consultant Salary Monthly Salary offered: R40 000 – R60 000 CTC per Month, potentially more depending on skills, qualifications and years of relevant experience. Discretionary Annual Performance Bonus. Pension Scheme will be deducted from net salary; company does not pay half of the pension. #J-18808-Ljbffr