09/22/2026 updated
100 % available
Control Technology Specialist | Functional Safety & C&I Discipline Authority
Midrand, South Africa
Only remote
BTech Electronic Engineering - Durban University of TechnologyRAGArtificial IntelligencePython (Programming Language)Zapier
Control Systems and Instrumentation
Expertise in DCS, PLC, and SCADA architectures including Siemens PCS 7, Rockwell, ABB, and Yokogawa. Proficiency in IEC 61131-3, I/O lists, Functional Design Specifications (FDS), P&ID interface, control valves, field instrumentation, analyzers and sensors.
Functional Safety and Risk Management
Deep knowledge of IEC 61508 and IEC 61511, SIL allocation and SIS lifecycle, proof-test procedures, alarm rationalization, HAZOP, LOPA, FMEA, PHA, Safety in Design (SiD), and Management of Change. Functional Safety Lead on a R2 billion mineral-processing project.
Owner's Team and Project Delivery
Technical assurance of C&I deliverables, FEL/FEED and capital applications, vendor and contractor interface, long-lead item specification, multi-disciplinary coordination, and Exco-ready technology selection across large-scale mining and mineral processing projects.
Industrial OT Networks and Lean Automation
Process-network segregation and OT cybersecurity hygiene, VMware control-system development environments, industrial networking (Rockwell IMINS), and Minimum Viable Solution thinking with in-house delivery versus over-design.
SCADA and HMI Platforms
Hands-on experience with SCADA and HMI systems across Siemens PCS 7, Rockwell Automation, ABB, and Yokogawa platforms in petrochemical and mineral processing environments.
Data Analytics and OT Tools
SQL Server, Python, PowerShell, Power BI, ETL from historians and alarm logs, and GitHub for industrial data monitoring, alarm-performance KPIs, and plant leadership reporting.
VMware Virtualization for Control Systems
Specification and implementation of VMware virtualization for control-system development, separating development from process networks to enable safe software testing without risking live operations.
Alarm Management and Rationalization
Live-database analysis with operations and process safety, SQL/Python ETL and Power BI alarm-performance KPIs, Siemens PCS 7 configuration changes through site change control, achieving nuisance alarm reductions of up to 28%.
Machine Safety and Robotics Commissioning
Commissioning of production computer-vision machine-safety systems in live operations including FMEA, and piloting robotics inspection (Boston Dynamics Spot plus vision) in hazardous plant environments.
Root Cause Analysis and Reliability Engineering
Acting PLC/Reliability Engineering Lead with site audits on large Rockwell installed bases, junior mentoring, and RCA that recovered R1.5m in OEM replacements and eliminated recurring trips.
Expertise in DCS, PLC, and SCADA architectures including Siemens PCS 7, Rockwell, ABB, and Yokogawa. Proficiency in IEC 61131-3, I/O lists, Functional Design Specifications (FDS), P&ID interface, control valves, field instrumentation, analyzers and sensors.
Functional Safety and Risk Management
Deep knowledge of IEC 61508 and IEC 61511, SIL allocation and SIS lifecycle, proof-test procedures, alarm rationalization, HAZOP, LOPA, FMEA, PHA, Safety in Design (SiD), and Management of Change. Functional Safety Lead on a R2 billion mineral-processing project.
Owner's Team and Project Delivery
Technical assurance of C&I deliverables, FEL/FEED and capital applications, vendor and contractor interface, long-lead item specification, multi-disciplinary coordination, and Exco-ready technology selection across large-scale mining and mineral processing projects.
Industrial OT Networks and Lean Automation
Process-network segregation and OT cybersecurity hygiene, VMware control-system development environments, industrial networking (Rockwell IMINS), and Minimum Viable Solution thinking with in-house delivery versus over-design.
SCADA and HMI Platforms
Hands-on experience with SCADA and HMI systems across Siemens PCS 7, Rockwell Automation, ABB, and Yokogawa platforms in petrochemical and mineral processing environments.
Data Analytics and OT Tools
SQL Server, Python, PowerShell, Power BI, ETL from historians and alarm logs, and GitHub for industrial data monitoring, alarm-performance KPIs, and plant leadership reporting.
VMware Virtualization for Control Systems
Specification and implementation of VMware virtualization for control-system development, separating development from process networks to enable safe software testing without risking live operations.
Alarm Management and Rationalization
Live-database analysis with operations and process safety, SQL/Python ETL and Power BI alarm-performance KPIs, Siemens PCS 7 configuration changes through site change control, achieving nuisance alarm reductions of up to 28%.
Machine Safety and Robotics Commissioning
Commissioning of production computer-vision machine-safety systems in live operations including FMEA, and piloting robotics inspection (Boston Dynamics Spot plus vision) in hazardous plant environments.
Root Cause Analysis and Reliability Engineering
Acting PLC/Reliability Engineering Lead with site audits on large Rockwell installed bases, junior mentoring, and RCA that recovered R1.5m in OEM replacements and eliminated recurring trips.
Experience
Professional experience10+ years
Freelancer since2025
Languages
EnglishNative speaker
Project history
C&I and process-safety authority on platinum mineral-processing assets. Led functional-safety work on the R2 billion Polished Copper Leach project including SIS design, SIL-relevant risk studies, proof-test procedures and lifecycle accountability under IEC 61508/IEC 61511. Reviewed and produced control and safety deliverables, closed nuisance alarm loop via Siemens PCS 7 configuration changes, commissioned production vision-based machine-safety systems, and mentored engineers on functional safety and digital tools.
Owner's team C&I input to a R200m+ capital portfolio from concept through FEL/FEED. Built technology selections and business cases for PCS 7 upgrades and automated systems for Exco approval. Managed control engineers and capital applications, challenged scope and delivery path, and coordinated multi-disciplinary stakeholders, OEMs and engineering contractors on long-lead control-system items.
Hands-on DCS/PLC/SCADA ownership on coal-routes and rail-loading assets. Led the R20m U202 control-system upgrade in-house during constrained shutdowns, saving more than R4m against outsourced delivery. Acting PLC/Reliability Engineering Lead with site audits, junior mentoring and RCA recovering R1.5m in OEM replacements. Specified and implemented VMware virtualization for control-system development. Built SQL and Power BI monitoring on multi-source plant data to cut downtime.