Electrical Engineer (Industrial/Plant)

An Electrical Engineer in an industrial plant is responsible for the electrical systems that keep production running: power distribution, motors and drives, control systems and electrical safety. They work on projects and upgrades as well as maintenance strategy in manufacturing or mining environments.

What the role involves

• MV/LV distribution, substations, switchgear and protection
• Motor control centres, variable speed drives and PLC-based controls
• Electrical design, installation oversight and commissioning
• Electrical maintenance strategy, fault-finding and reliability
• Compliance with the OHS Act, Electrical Installation Regulations and SANS 10142
• Energy-efficiency and power-quality improvements

What makes a strong candidate

We look for a BEng or BTech in Electrical Engineering, practical plant experience, MV/LV and drives knowledge, and PLC exposure. Pr.Eng registration (or working towards it) is an advantage, and a GCC (Electrical) is needed when the role carries the site’s electrical legal appointment.

Red flags we screen for

• Only office-based design with no plant or site exposure, for a plant role
• No experience with the voltage levels the site uses
• Vague about safety procedures such as lock-out

How PMG recruits Electrical Engineers

Electrical engineers are one of the scarcest technical skills in South Africa. We search our Talent Vault and approach passive candidates in comparable industries, then screen on voltage levels, controls experience, registration, salary and notice. Candidates are submitted only with written consent.

Frequently asked questions

Is Pr.Eng registration required?

Not for most plant roles, but it is often required for senior, design sign-off or consulting roles.

Why are electrical engineers so hard to find?

Demand from manufacturing, mining, energy and renewable projects competes for the same experienced people, and many engineers are recruited overseas. See the PMG 2026 Hiring Report.

See live vacancies · Engineering Recruitment

Read more about how PMG recruits for this role on our Electrical Engineer Recruitment South Africa page.

Salary ranges and role descriptions on this page are indicative and for general guidance only. They vary by employer, location and experience and are not a guarantee of any offer.