Lead Engineer – Automation

About the job

Lead Engineer – Automation Company: Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited Location: Bolgatanga, Ghana Employment Type: Full-Time Company Profile Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited is committed to developing and operating a modern, safe, efficient, and responsible mining operation in Ghana. The company places strong emphasis on operational excellence, safety, environmental responsibility, technical capability, and the development of its people. We are seeking an experienced and technically strong Lead Engineer – Automation to provide leadership across automation, instrumentation, electrical control, and process-control systems. The successful candidate will drive the reliability, optimisation, maintenance, commissioning, and continuous improvement of automation systems across the mining operation. This role requires a hands-on engineering leader who can manage complex technical challenges, lead multidisciplinary teams, work effectively with OEMs and contractors, and maintain the highest standards of safety, reliability, and operational performance. Job Summary The Lead Engineer – Automation will lead the development, optimisation, maintenance, and reliability of automation and process-control systems across the mining and mineral-processing operations. The role will oversee advanced process-control strategies, instrumentation, PLC and SCADA systems, electrical drives, control systems, industrial communication networks, and related automation infrastructure. The successful candidate will also lead technical teams, support major projects and commissioning activities, strengthen maintenance strategies, and improve equipment availability and plant performance. Key Responsibilities Safety, Environmental & Operational Standards Become fully familiar with and strictly comply with Namdini’s health, safety, environmental, and operational standards. Promote a strong safety culture and lead by example in all engineering and maintenance activities. Support the development and implementation of procedures that meet the company’s safety, environmental, engineering, and operational standards. Ensure automation and electrical activities comply with applicable statutory, regulatory, and site requirements. Promote safe systems of work, including appropriate isolation, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), electrical safety, and hazardous-area practices. Identify operational risks and implement appropriate controls to protect people, equipment, and the environment. Automation & Process Control Lead the implementation, optimisation, and continuous improvement of advanced process-control strategies. Configure and optimise PID control loops to improve process stability, efficiency, and production performance. Optimise automation systems across crushing, milling, CIL, thickening, elution, tailings handling, and reagent-dosing circuits. Lead the troubleshooting and optimisation of PLC, SCADA, DCS, and other process-control systems. Monitor automation performance and identify opportunities to improve plant reliability, efficiency, and process stability. Support the integration of automation systems with electrical and process equipment across the operation. Instrumentation & Electrical Control Systems Oversee the calibration, zero-point adjustment, precision adjustment, and performance verification of automated, control, diagnostic, and measurement instruments. Ensure instrumentation remains accurate, reliable, and fit for operational requirements. Lead the maintenance and troubleshooting of process instrumentation and control systems. Ensure effective integration between field instrumentation, PLCs, SCADA systems, and other control platforms. Support the maintenance and troubleshooting of MCCs, VFDs, soft starters, motor-control systems, and power-monitoring systems. Troubleshoot communication and control issues between electrical drives, instrumentation, and plant control systems. Apply appropriate motor-starting methods, synchronization techniques, fault diagnostics, and VFD parameter tuning. Maintenance & Reliability Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for automation and instrumentation systems. Lead root cause analysis (RCA) investigations into automation, instrumentation, and control-system failures. Develop corrective actions that address recurring failures and improve long-term equipment reliability. Drive initiatives to improve Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and reduce Mean Time To Repair (MTTR). Monitor automation equipment performance and use maintenance data to identify improvement opportunities. Maintain adequate critical automation and instrumentation spare-parts inventories. Maintain accurate calibration records, instrument histories, maintenance records, and technical documentation. Use CMMS platforms such as SAP, Pronto, or equivalent systems to support maintenance planning, reporting, and asset management. Projects, Commissioning & Technical Support Analyse engineering drawings, technical specifications, and project documentation to determine instrumentation, automation, and control requirements. Coordinate with OEMs, contractors, and vendors during equipment installations, upgrades, and modifications. Review technical solutions and ensure installations meet approved engineering and operational standards. Coordinate and participate in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT). Lead or support the commissioning and start-up of new process equipment, automation systems, and control infrastructure. Verify system functionality, performance, integration, and safety before handover to operations. Conduct quality assurance reviews of electrical, instrumentation, and control components and projects. Prepare technical reports and provide recommendations to management based on project and operational findings. Training & Capability Development Develop structured training programmes for electrical, instrumentation, and automation disciplines. Train technical personnel, skilled workers, maintenance teams, and other relevant employees in specialised technical skills. Provide training on safety operating procedures, emergency response, maintenance standards, electrical safety regulations, and automation systems. Assess technical competency and identify development needs within the engineering and maintenance teams. Promote continuous learning and strengthen the technical capability of the workforce. Leadership & Team Management Lead and motivate multidisciplinary engineering and maintenance teams to achieve operational and reliability objectives. Set clear performance expectations and monitor team performance against agreed KPIs. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers, supervisors, technicians, and other technical personnel. Coordinate effectively with operations, maintenance, projects, engineering, safety, and other departments. Manage contractors and service providers to ensure safe, timely, and high-quality delivery. Promote teamwork, accountability, professionalism, diversity, and inclusion across the workplace. Qualifications & Experience Minimum Qualifications Recognised Degree, Advanced Diploma, or Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from a recognised institution. MINCOM Competency Certificate, with a minimum of Registered Inspection Engineer status. Membership of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) will be an added advantage. Experience Minimum of 8 years’ relevant experience in gold mineral processing or a related mining environment. At least 5 years’ experience in a senior electrical/automation supervisory or engineering role. Demonstrated experience managing large-scale fixed assets within a mining or mineral-processing operation. Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering and maintenance teams. Technical Knowledge & Competencies The successful candidate should demonstrate strong knowledge of: PLC programming and industrial automation systems. SCADA and process-control systems. Advanced process-control strategies and PID tuning. Industrial instrumentation, calibration, and control systems. Industrial communication networks and troubleshooting. MCCs, VFDs, soft starters, motor-control systems, and power-monitoring systems. Motor starting methods, synchronization, fault diagnostics, and VFD parameter configuration. Mining electrical safety requirements, including Ghana’s L.I. 2184. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), arc-flash prevention, and hazardous-area classification. Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and reliability engineering principles. CMMS platforms such as SAP, Pronto, or equivalent systems. Mining industry safety and environmental regulations. Technical drawings, engineering specifications, and CAD applications. Microsoft Office and technical reporting tools. Key Skills Strong engineering leadership and supervisory capability. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to use KPIs to monitor equipment availability, maintenance effectiveness, and workforce productivity. Strong maintenance planning and execution skills. Ability to lead initiatives that reduce unplanned downtime. Strong contractor and vendor-management skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Strong decision-making ability in high-pressure operational environments. High level of technical attention to detail. Strong report-writing and documentation skills. Personal Attributes We are looking for a leader who: Takes ownership and demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility. Leads with integrity, professionalism, and accountability. Works proactively and responds quickly to operational challenges. Remains calm and decisive under pressure. Demonstrates persistence, flexibility, and resilience. Builds positive relationships across multidisciplinary and multicultural teams. Values diversity, inclusion, and respectful collaboration. Maintains a strong commitment to safety and operational excellence. Demonstrates a continuous-improvement mindset. Communicates clearly and motivates others to achieve shared objectives. Working Conditions The successful candidate must be prepared to: Work extended hours when operational requirements demand. Work effectively under pressure and meet stringent deadlines. Operate in a high-volume and technically demanding mining environment. Work in challenging and changing weather conditions. Perform both routine and non-routine duties. Work effectively within a multicultural environment. Meet the physical and medical requirements of the role and mining environment. Adapt to changing operational priorities and business requirements. How to Apply Apply online by clicking on the application button. Applicants should ensure that their application clearly states “Lead Engineer – Automation” as the position applied for. Application Deadline: 16 October 2026