Senior Control Systems Integrator

Zutari: Co-creating an engineered impact.

Zutari is a well-established management-owned engineering firm with almost 90 years experience. As human-centred engineering consultants and advisors we are trusted by our clients business partners communities and other stakeholders across Africa.

We co-create engineering solutions that have a positive impact and improve peoples lives. Zutari values inclusion and recognises the importance of a diverse talented workforce believing that people need other people to succeed.

What kind of talent do we pursue

We employ people with the right attitude and a positive mindset who are motivated by doing the right thing getting things done and share a sense of urgency. People who have an impact in our teams and broader community. People who think differently and connect with those around them to co-create new opportunities and leave a meaningful legacy.

We are seeking a highly experienced and decisive Senior Control Systems Engineer to lead the design development and execution of major industrial automation projects. The ideal candidate will have 1015 years of industry experience and demonstrate advanced expertise in control system engineering across PLC SCADA HMI and MES platforms.

This role is critical in establishing engineering standards developing custom integration solutions managing large-scale automation projects and ensuring the successful commissioning and handover of complex manufacturing process and distribution systems.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a vibrant team working with exciting clients across a wide range of markets. Applicants should be prepared to have a diverse role leading engagements with clients delivering engineering services sharing knowledge and innovating delivery of our services.

Role Responsibilities

Control Systems Strategy Standards & Governance

• Develop implement and continuously improve technical standards frameworks and governance for PLC SCADA MES and OT architectures
• Ensure solutions are scalable secure and aligned to industry standards (ISA IEC ISA-88 etc.)
• Drive consistency quality assurance and best practices across all control system implementations
• Contribute to enterprise-wide architecture strategies and digital transformation initiatives

End-to-End System Design & Engineering

• Lead the full software and control system lifecycle from concept and architecture design to detailed engineering and code development
• Develop:
  • Control philosophies system architectures and functional specifications
  • PLC/DCS logic SCADA/HMI applications and MES integrations
  • Design for continuous and batch process environments including ISA88-aligned solutions
  • Ensure integration of multi-vendor systems across electrical mechanical and IT/OT domains

Systems Integration Programming & Configuration

• Configure and integrate PLC SCADA HMI DCS and MES platforms across complex industrial environments
• Implement communication between systems using industrial protocols
• Develop data integration layers historian connectivity and enterprise system interfaces
• Ensure robust interoperability across legacy and greenfield systems

Commissioning Testing & Handover

• Lead and manage end-to-end commissioning of plant or process systems including:
  • Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)
  • System validation redlining and defect resolution
• Oversee start-up operator training and final client handover
• Provide advanced troubleshooting and stabilization support in live environment

Project Delivery Commercial Oversight & Client Engagement

• Manage control system project delivery across the lifecycle:
  • Scope schedule cost and risk management

• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams contractors vendors and stakeholders
• Serve as the primary technical interface with clients ensuring alignment to business and operational objectives

• Support bid development technical proposals and solution definition

Engineering Design Hardware & Network Architecture

• Specify and design:
  • Industrial control panels instrumentation and field devices
  • Industrial communication networks and OT infrastructure (LAN/WAN fibre segmentation cybersecurity)
• Develop engineering deliverables:
  • P&IDs I/O lists control narratives architecture diagrams and technical documentation
• Ensure compliance with engineering codes standards and regulatory requirements

Performance Optimisation & Continuous Improvement

• Analyse plant performance using historian data and analytics tools to identify improvement opportunities
• Perform root cause analysis loop tuning and system optimisation
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency reliability and uptime
• Support modernization upgrades and Industry 4.0 initiatives

Leadership Mentorship & Capability Building

• Provide technical leadership and direction to project teams
• Mentor and coach junior engineers and system integrators
• Plan and oversee site activities installations and resource allocation
• Foster a culture of collaboration knowledge sharing and engineering excellence

• A Bachelors degree or BTech in Mechatronic Engineering Electrical Engineering or a closely related technical field - Essential
• Registered as a Professional Engineer/Technologist with the Engineering Council of South Africa - Essential
• 8-10 years of hands-on experience as an Automation Engineer or System Integrator within industrial environments.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale automation and control system projects.

Skills and characteristics

• PLC Programming: Expert proficiency in major PLC brands specifically Siemens (TIA/S7) Allen Bradley (RsLogix/Studio 5000) Schneider (Control Expert) Beckhoff and CodeSys.
• SCADA and MES Systems: Extensive experience with Ignition Wonderware InTouch/System Platform Siemens WinCC MES integration and customization Batch control system L1/L2/L3 architecture implementation.
• Software & Database Skills: Strong computer programming skills for systems integration utilizing languages such as C# Python SQL (Postgres & MS SQL) and web technologies (REST APIs JSON).
• Industrial Networking: Advance knowledge of modern industrial protocols and topologies including ProfiNet EtherCAT Modbus Ethernet/IP and MQTT.

Competencies

• Problem-Solving & Analytical Thinking: Ability to diagnose complex system issues and design robust solutions
• Project & Delivery Management: Managing timelines scope risks across multiple concurrent projects
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Translating technical concepts for clients contractors and non-technical stakeholders
• Leadership & Mentoring: Guiding junior engineers and influencing cross-functional teams
• Attention to Detail & Quality Focus: Ensuring accuracy in system design coding and documentation

We believe that a diverse workforce is key to our business success. We seek the best people for our jobs based on their skills qualifications and experience. We embrace the principle of equal opportunity in employment and we work towards eliminating all forms of unlawful discrimination in our employment support of diversity and the equal opportunity principle preference will be given to individuals from designated groups within South Africa.