Junior Electrical/Mechatronic Engineer (PLC & Automation)

Junior Electrical/Mechatronic Engineer (PLC & Automation)

Recruiter: TalentFuse (Pty) Ltd

Job Ref: JHB000047/KM

Date posted: Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

SUMMARY: Job Summary We are seeking a motivated and technically minded Junior Electrical Engineer/Mechatronic Engineer with a strong aptitude for PLC programming, industrial automation, and electrical control systems to join our engineering team in a fast-paced FMCG manufacturing environment.

The successful candidate will support the maintenance, troubleshooting, optimisation, and development of electrical and automation systems across the production facility. This role provides excellent exposure to PLC programming, industrial networking, machine control systems, and continuous improvement projects aimed at enhancing plant reliability, efficiency, and safety.

POSITION INFO: Key Responsibilities Electrical Maintenance & Support Assist in maintaining and troubleshooting electrical systems on production lines and plant equipment. Support fault-finding activities on electrical control circuits and automated machinery. Respond to electrical and automation breakdowns to minimise production downtime. Conduct routine inspections of motors, drives, sensors, instrumentation, and electrical panels. Assist with preventative and predictive maintenance programmes. Ensure all work is performed in accordance with electrical safety standards and company procedures. PLC Programming & Automation Assist with PLC programming, troubleshooting, modification, and commissioning activities. Support the development and optimisation of machine control logic. Assist with HMI and SCADA configuration and troubleshooting. Participate in automation improvement projects aimed at increasing production efficiency and reliability. Document PLC program changes and maintain accurate backups and version control. Support the integration of new equipment into existing control systems. Industrial Networking & Remote Access Assist with industrial network setup and troubleshooting. Support remote monitoring and diagnostics systems. Assist with configuration and maintenance of industrial communication devices and gateways. Support machine connectivity and data collection initiatives. Projects & Continuous Improvement Participate in equipment upgrade and capital improvement projects. Assist with machine commissioning and factory acceptance testing. Support root cause analysis investigations and corrective action implementation. Identify opportunities to improve plant performance, reliability, and energy efficiency. Minimum Requirements Education BEng in Electrical\/Electronic\/Mechatronic Engineering Experience 1-3 years of relevant industrial experience. Practical exposure within a manufacturing environment will be advantageous. FMCG manufacturing experience will be beneficial but is not essential. Technical Knowledge Basic understanding of electrical systems and industrial control equipment. Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams. Understanding of motors, VSDs, sensors, instrumentation, and control systems. Familiarity with PLCs, HMIs, and industrial automation concepts. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Advantageous Skills & Experience Candidates with experience or exposure to the following will have a distinct advantage: Programming and troubleshooting of WAGO and Allen-Bradley PLC systems Knowledge of PLC programming languages: Structured Text (ST) Ladder Logic (LD) Setup, configuration, and troubleshooting of eWON remote access and connectivity solutions Basic IDE (Integrated Development Environment) programming experience Exposure to HMI and SCADA development environments Understanding of industrial communication protocols such as: Modbus TCP\/IP Ethernet\/IP Experience working with automated production equipment Knowledge of industrial networking concepts Key Competencies Technical Competencies Electrical fault-finding and troubleshooting PLC programming aptitude Automation and process control understanding Industrial networking awareness Technical documentation skills Analytical problem-solving Behavioural Competencies Strong willingness to learn and develop Excellent attention to detail Ability to work under pressure during breakdown situations Good communication and interpersonal skills Strong teamwork and collaboration abilities Positive attitude and initiative Commitment to safety and quality standards Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Reduction in machine downtime Breakdown response and resolution times Completion of preventative maintenance activities Quality and accuracy of technical documentation Successful implementation of automation improvements Compliance with safety procedures and standards Contribution to continuous improvement initiatives Reliability and availability of production equipment