Projects Lead: Functional Safety Engineer

Company Description Process Control & Integration Pty Ltd is an engineering-focused organization specializing in process control, systems integration, and industrial automation solutions. The company works closely with clients across various industries to design, implement, and maintain safe, efficient, and reliable control systems. Team members collaborate on complex projects that require strong technical skills and a commitment to safety and quality. The organization values professional growth, practical problem-solving, and delivering robust solutions tailored to customer needs.

Role Description The Projects Lead: Functional Safety Engineer is a full-time, on-site role based in Johannesburg. This role is responsible for leading functional safety projects, including planning, coordination, and execution of safety lifecycle activities for industrial and process control systems. Day-to-day tasks include performing safety analyses and risk assessments, developing and reviewing safety requirements, overseeing safety design and implementation, and ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations. The role involves close collaboration with project managers, engineering teams, and client stakeholders, preparing technical documentation, and providing guidance on best practices in functional safety. The Projects Lead will also support safety audits, participate in project reviews, and mentor team members on safety-related methodologies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Strong Safety Engineering skills, including experience with functional safety standards and risk assessment methodologies.
• Knowledge of Occupational Health principles and practices applicable to industrial and process environments.
• Understanding of Security considerations related to control systems and safety-critical operations.
• Experience delivering Training on safety procedures, standards, and tools to technical and operational teams.
• Awareness of Construction Safety requirements in project execution and site-based activities.
• Degree or diploma in Engineering (e.g., Electrical, Control, Chemical, or related discipline) or equivalent technical qualification.
• Experience in process control, automation, or industrial systems projects, preferably in a lead or senior engineering role.
• Familiarity with relevant safety standards (such as IEC 61508, IEC 61511, or similar) and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders, manage project timelines, and work effectively on-site in a multidisciplinary team.

📍 Location: Northriding, Johannesburg  

🏢 Company: Process Control & Integration (PCI)

Job Purpose:

The Project Lead – Functional Safety Engineer is responsible for leading and delivering Functional Safety, Industrial Automation, and Process Control projects from concept through commissioning. The role ensures that safety-related systems are designed, implemented, validated, and maintained in compliance with IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 standards while supporting clients with safe, reliable and compliant automation solutions.

The successful candidate will provide technical leadership, manage engineering projects, oversee the execution and management of Service Level Agreements (SLAs), mentor engineering teams, and ensure the successful delivery of projects by integrating Functional Safety, OT Cybersecurity and industry best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

Functional Safety

·       Provide technical guidance and expertise for all phases of automation projects to sub-ordinates for detailed design, configuration, implementation, testing, start-up, and commissioning.

·       Provide technical guidance to your engineering design teams for equipment, instrumentation and SIS configuration modifications based on the outcome of Functional Safety analysis

·       Develop functional safety related deliverables: Functional Safety Plans, Safety Requirements Specifications, SIL Verification calculations, Cause and Effects, Validation Test Procedures and facilitating Functional Safety Assessments and Audits

·       Designing and implementing safety-related control systems, including safety instrumented systems (SIS) and programmable logic controllers (PLC), ensuring compliance with functional safety standards (e.g., IEC 61508, IEC 61511).

·       Collaborating with your project teams to review and approve safety-related documentation, including system architectures, safety manuals, and verification/validation plans

·       Staying up to date with industry trends, advancements, and changes in functional safety standards and regulations and incorporating them into organisational practices.

·       Training and educating team members on functional safety concepts, methodologies, and best practices

Project Management

·       Project Planning: Develop a detailed project plan

·       Schedule and cost control

·       Coordination: Coordinate with various teams, including design, manufacturing, construction, and maintenance teams, to ensure project goals are met

·       Quality Control: Ensure the project adheres to quality standards and regulations

·       Documentation: Maintain accurate project documentation including progress reports, technical specifications, and change orders

·       Communication: Maintain effective communication with stakeholders, including clients, contractors, and vendors and direct line manager

·       Problem-solving: Identify and resolve technical issues and problems that arise during the project

·       Management and execution of SLAs

·       Responding to and delegation of callouts

·       Technical support

Commercial

·       Responding to RFQs

·       Procurement of hardware and software

·       Invoicing projects once milestones are achieved.

Engineering

·       Generating detailed technical design documentation

·       Generating engineering drawings, e.g. CAD, EPlan, Excel etc.

·       Project execution – all areas system integrator activities

·       Supervision of assembly and wiring

·       Programming

·       Validation

·       Verification

·       Installation

·       Commissioning

General

·       Adherence to internal PC&I QMS

·       Adherence to ISO9001 systems

·       Adherence to OSHA and BCEA

·       Continuous improvement

·       Adherence to all PC&I HR policies

Management

·       Management of subordinates – delegation of work and management thereof, leave approvals, overtime approvals, expenses and misconduct.

·       Client liaison

·       After sales service

Minimum Requirements

·       BSc Engineering Degree (Electrical, Electronic, Instrumentation, Mechatronics or equivalent)

·       5–10 years' experience in Industrial Automation and Process Control

·       Proven experience in Functional Safety

·       Proven experience in OT Cybersecurity within industrial environments

·       TÜV Functional Safety Engineer or Exida Functional Safety Engineer certification, or eligibility to obtain

·       Strong knowledge of PLC, SCADA, DCS and Industrial Control Systems

·       Experience in engineering design, project execution, commissioning, and executing and managing Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

·       Excellent problem-solving, communication and stakeholder management skills

·       Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel to client sites when required

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a highly motivated engineering prof