PLC & Electrical Specialist

PLC & Electrical Specialist

Location: Greylingstad, Mpumalanga

Employment Type: Permanent

Reporting To: Maintenance Manager

About the Role

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced PLC & Electrical Specialist to join a high-performance industrial manufacturing environment.

This role is critical to ensuring the reliability, efficiency, and continuous improvement of plant automation and electrical systems. The successful candidate will be responsible for PLC programming, SCADA systems, electrical infrastructure, instrumentation, preventative maintenance, and production support within a demanding production facility.

We are looking for a hands-on problem solver who thrives under pressure, enjoys troubleshooting complex automation challenges, and takes pride in keeping plant operations running safely and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

PLC & Automation Systems

Maintain, troubleshoot, and program PLC systems used throughout the plant, primarily Allen-Bradley platforms.

Manage and maintain SCADA systems controlling production processes.

Ensure plant control logic is accurate, stable, and optimised for operational efficiency.

Modify and improve PLC logic to enhance system reliability and performance.

Maintain integration between PLCs, sensors, instrumentation, and automated equipment.

Manage PLC backups, version control, and technical documentation.

Electrical Infrastructure

Perform electrical installations, maintenance, and repairs across the facility.

Install and maintain electrical wiring, distribution boards, lighting, and control systems.

Diagnose and repair electrical faults to minimise downtime.

Maintain motors, drives, panels, and associated electrical equipment.

Ensure compliance with all relevant electrical regulations and standards.

Sensors & Instrumentation

Maintain sensors, transmitters, and instrumentation connected to plant control systems.

Diagnose faults affecting control logic and process performance.

Ensure reliable communication between sensors and PLC systems.

Support the installation and commissioning of new instrumentation.

Preventative Maintenance

Develop and maintain preventative maintenance schedules for automation and electrical systems.

Conduct inspections of electrical panels, PLC cabinets, sensors, and control equipment.

Identify potential failures before they impact production.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase plant reliability.

Equipment Integration & Expansion

Support installation and commissioning of new production equipment.

Integrate new machinery into existing PLC and SCADA systems.

Provide automation and electrical expertise for plant expansion and improvement projects.

Production Support

Work closely with production teams to resolve automation-related issues affecting throughput.

Assist operators and maintenance teams with troubleshooting and fault finding.

Identify and implement automation improvements to enhance plant performance.

Training & Technical Support

Provide guidance and technical support to maintenance personnel and production teams.

Assist engineering and maintenance departments with complex automation challenges.

Share best practices relating to PLC, SCADA, and electrical systems.

Weekend Technical Support

Participate in a rotating weekend support schedule (every second weekend).

Provide technical oversight and support for electrical and automation issues.

Respond to breakdowns involving PLC, SCADA, instrumentation, or electrical systems.

Safety & Compliance

Ensure all electrical and automation activities comply with applicable legislation and company standards.

Follow lockout/tagout and electrical isolation procedures.

Participate in safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments.

Minimum Requirements

Non-Negotiable

Trade Tested Electrician.

Minimum 5 years' experience in an industrial electrical environment.

Proven hands-on PLC programming and troubleshooting experience.

Strong fault-finding and diagnostic skills.

Ability to work independently and make sound decisions under pressure.

Valid driver's licence.

Preferred Experience

Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation PLC systems.

SCADA systems.

Instrumentation and process control equipment.

Industrial manufacturing environments such as food processing, rendering, FMCG, chemical, mining, or heavy industry.

Experience integrating new equipment into existing automation systems.

Key Competencies

Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.

Excellent fault-finding skills.

Attention to detail.

Ability to perform under pressure in a production environment.

Strong communication and teamwork skills.

High level of accountability and ownership.

Commitment to safety and compliance.

Continuous improvement mindset.

This Role Is Not Suitable For

Candidates with only residential or commercial electrical experience.

Electricians with no PLC programming experience.

Programmers with limited practical electrical installation and maintenance experience.

What Success Looks Like

Reduced plant downtime through effective troubleshooting and preventative maintenance.

Reliable and optimised PLC and SCADA systems.

Improved production efficiency through automation enhancements.

Safe and compliant electrical operations.

Strong collaboration with production, engineering, and maintenance teams.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to play a critical role in a high-pressure production environment where your technical expertise directly impacts operational performance. You'll work on complex automation systems, contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, and be part of a team committed to reliability, safety, and operational excellence.

If you are a hands-on PLC and Electrical Specialist who enjoys solving problems, improving systems, and keeping production running at its best, we would like to hear from you.

Please send your application to Lance Petersen - ***email_hidden***