Core Purpose of the Role:
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Junior SCADA Engineer to join our growing team. This role is focused on supporting the commissioning, integration, and ongoing maintenance of SCADA systems for Utility PV projects.
The successful candidate will play a key role in on-site SCADA commissioning oversight, ensuring that EPC contractors implement systems in line with approved standards and methodologies. The role also includes assisting with the integration of plant data into central monitoring platforms, including signal mapping, data validation, and system verification under the guidance of a Senior SCADA Engineer.
In addition, the candidate will provide first-line support for SCADA-related issues during plant operations, including troubleshooting, supporting system changes, and ensuring data integrity following equipment replacements. This role offers valuable hands-on experience in Utility-scale renewable energy systems, with strong exposure to SCADA integration, communication systems, and commissioning environments.
Position of the job in the organisation:
The Junior SCADA Engineer will report directly to the Senior SCADA Engineer.
Principal responsibilities:
SCADA Commissioning (Utility PV Projects)
- Witness and verify SCADA commissioning activities on-site for Utility PV projects, ensuring EPC contractors adhere to approved methodologies, procedures, and company standards.
- Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) processes, ensuring compliance and identifying deviations.
- Assist in documenting commissioning findings, non-compliances, and corrective actions.
SCADA Integration & Data Ingestion
- Assist with the integration of Utility PV plant SCADA systems into the Central Monitoring System under the guidance of the Senior SCADA Engineer.
- Support signal mapping, configuration, and validation to ensure accurate and complete data ingestion.
- Verify data flow from plant-level systems to central platforms and assist in resolving integration issues.
SCADA System Configuration & Validation
- Assist with the configuration and validation of SCADA systems, including alarms, events, data logging, and HMI interfaces for Utility PV plants.
- Perform system checks to ensure configurations align with project specifications and operational requirements.
- Support testing and commissioning of SCADA functionality prior to handover.
Communication Design Review & Support
- Review and verify communication system designs for Utility PV projects submitted by EPC contractors, ensuring compliance with company standards before approval.
- Assist with communication design activities for C&I projects where required.
- Support troubleshooting of communication interfaces (e.g., Modbus TCP/RTU) during commissioning and operations.
Operations & Maintenance (O&M) SCADA Support
- Provide first-line technical support to O&M teams for SCADA-related issues through structured support tickets.
- Assist with system changes, including device replacements, ensuring correct SCADA configuration and signal remapping.
- Support fault diagnosis and resolution of SCADA and communication issues, escalating where required.
Data Validation and System Integrity
- Validate the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of SCADA data for Utility PV plants.
- Identify and assist in resolving data quality issues impacting monitoring and reporting.
- Support ongoing system health checks to ensure reliable SCADA performance.
Documentation and Collaboration
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation, including SCADA configurations, signal mapping, system architecture, and commissioning records.
- Ensure all changes and updates are properly recorded for lifecycle management.
- Collaborate with project teams, EPC contractors, engineers, and O&M personnel to support successful project delivery and operations.
- Participate in project meetings and provide updates on SCADA commissioning, integration, and support activities.
Experience & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Computer Science, or a related field.
- 1–3 years of experience in SCADA systems, industrial automation, or renewable energy projects (Utility PV exposure advantageous).
- Basic understanding of SCADA architectures, PLC/RTU systems, and industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus TCP/RTU, IEC 61850 advantageous).
- Exposure to SCADA commissioning environments and an understanding of testing and validation processes.
- Familiarity with data integration concepts, including signal mapping and data validation for monitoring platforms.
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills, with the ability to perform first-line fault finding and escalate where required.
- High attention to detail, particularly in data validation, documentation, and system configuration checks.
- Good communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with EPC contractors, O&M teams, and internal stakeholders on-site and remotely.
- Ability to work both independently on-site and collaboratively within a project and engineering team environment.
- Willingness to travel and spend extended periods on-site during Utility PV commissioning phases.
- Eagerness to learn, with a proactive mindset and ability to take ownership of assigned tasks under guidance from senior engineers.
Specific attributes:
- PLC/RTU Programming: Foundational knowledge or a strong desire to learn PLC/RTU programming for Utility PV SCADA systems, primarily in IEC 61131-3 environments.
- Basic understanding of industrial automation concepts and SCADA systems.
- Understanding of SCADA data integration concepts, including signal mapping, data ingestion, and validation into central monitoring systems.
- Foundational knowledge of communication protocols such as Modbus TCP/IP and Modbus RTU.
- Familiarity with networking principles (IP addressing, routing, etc.) relevant to SCADA and Utility PV systems.
- Ability and willingness to support on-site commissioning activities, including testing, verification, and troubleshooting.
- Strong attention to detail, particularly in data validation, system configuration checks, and technical documentation.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Desirable attributes:
- Understanding of basic electrical circuits and power systems.
- Experience with any SCADA platform (e.g., Ignition, Wonderware, Schneider PSO, MicroSCADA).
- Understanding of basic communication networking principles.
What Does Success Look Like?
By 3 Months
- I will have a solid understanding of company SCADA architecture, Utility PV system layouts, and central monitoring platform integration principles.
- I will be able to support on-site commissioning activities by following established SCADA procedures and identifying basic non-compliance issues.
- I will complete well-defined tasks (data mapping, configuration updates, documentation) accurately and within required timelines.
By 6 Months
- I will independently support SCADA integration activities, including signal mapping, data validation, and data ingestion into the Central Monitoring System.
- I will effectively assist with commissioning oversight, identifying issues and ensuring EPC contractors adhere to approved methodologies.
- I will resolve common SCADA and communication issues with minimal supervision and provide reliable support to O&M teams through ticket-based workflows.
By 12 Months
- I will take ownership of SCADA commissioning support and integration activities for assigned Utility PV projects under limited supervision.
- I will consistently ensure high-quality SCADA data integration, system configuration, and mapping accuracy across Utility PV plants.
- I will confidently support O&M teams with system changes, including device replacements and remapping, ensuring system integrity is maintained.
- I will contribute to improving commissioning practices, integration processes, and documentation standards based on project and operational experience.
Core Values:
We hire, reward, and recognise our team against these values. It is imperative that you believe in these values and demonstrate them consistently.
- We are passionate and proud of what we do.
- We communicate candidly, especially when it is difficult
- We take the initiative, share our mistakes, and grow together
- We are dependable and take accountability
- No one person is bigger than the solution - no egos.
We are currently only considering candidates based in South Africa with valid working rights. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider applications from outside the country at this time.
