Technician,Electronics,Panther

Ford Motor Company is seeking an Electronics Technician in Gqeberha, South Africa. The role involves owning processes, standardizing work, and maintaining a digital-first mindset. Key responsibilities include managing automation and OT systems, ensuring equipment uptime through data analysis, and adhering to controls governance and standards. Technicians are expected to develop their skills through practical deliverables and maintain an Individual Development Plan.
Job ID
62331
1.1 Non‑negotiable behaviors



Own the process, not the opinion: bring data, facts, root cause, options.
Bias to action: raise issues early, propose containment + permanent fix, follow through.
Standardize then improve: build/maintain standard work and then optimize it.
Digital-first mindset: eliminate repeat manual work; automate, template, or systemize.
Professional discipline: on-time delivery of commitments; clear escalation when blocked.

1.2 Self-development ownership (explicit expectation)

Each engineer/lead is accountable for maintaining role competence and must:
Maintain an annual Individual Development Plan (IDP) with manager sign-off.
Complete minimum agreed learning (minimum: 40 hours/year).
Demonstrate skills through applied deliverables (dashboards, macros, standards, project results), not certificates only.
Maintain a personal “automation backlog”: top recurring tasks to digitize/automate.

1.3 Minimum digital competence baseline (plant standard)

Each role is expected to be competent in:
Excel at working professional level: tables, pivot tables, XLOOKUP, SUMIFS, charts
Data shaping: Power Query (or equivalent)
Basic automation: macros/VBA or scripted automation (where permitted)
Structured problem solving: A3 / 8D, Pareto, 5-Why, fishbone
Presenting in 1-page formats (A3, scorecards) for decision-making

Key accountabilities
2.1 Automation and OT systems (core scope)

PLCs (plant standard platforms), remote I/O, safety PLCs (where installed)
HMIs, CBM, cybersecurity dashboard, historian interfaces, Andon/FIS systems (where applicable)
Industrial networks: Ethernet/IP, Profinet/Profibus, DeviceNet, AS-i, IO-Link (as applicable), switches and managed network components in OT scope
Variable speed drives (VSDs), servo drives, motion controllers (where applicable)
Industrial PCs, panel PCs, thin clients used for control systems
Instrumentation interfaces: sensors, transducers, flow/pressure/temperature measurement (interface integrity, scaling, diagnostics)
Machine communication and data interfaces: OPC, database/logging links, barcode/RFID/traceability devices (where present)
Manage all software and hardware installed on different types of continuous process equipment while ensuring minimal down times, proper documentation, and software version control.
Improve Assembly and Machining equipment uptime using data analysis and preventative maintenance planning.

2.2 Controls governance and standards (plantwide)

Controls change management and program version control
Backup and disaster recovery readiness for control systems
Alarm management / rationalization standards (where applicable)
Controls documentation: electrical drawings interfaces, I/O lists, network diagrams, program documentation, standard templates
OT cyber hygiene (in alignment with plant IT/OT governance): access control, password/credential management, remote access controls, patching coordination, asset register
Execute machine upgrades, new installations, obsolescence replacements, and capacity/quality projects
Commissioning, acceptance testing, and handover packs for controls-related works support
Technicians training for “universal soldier”/ able to work on all lines/, development & performance management (evidence: versatility matrices, IDP, 1:1, disciplinary records, process verification & confirmation sheets)
Leadership of the next level-up artisans programs & screening the pipeline of the training centre artisans.
Benchmark & Active networking with the sister plants on the Maintenance best practices, cost saving projects, research improvement opportunities in the field.
Drive the i4.0, ML, AI & innovation projects related to production equipment.

2.3 Projects and commissioning support (in partnership with FTPM/Engineering)

Execute machine upgrades, new installations, obsolescence replacements, and capacity/quality projects
Commissioning, acceptance testing, and handover packs for controls-related works support
Technicians training for “universal soldier”/ able to work on all lines/, development & performance management (evidence: versatility matrices, IDP, 1:1, disciplinary records, process verification & confirmation sheets)
Leadership of the next level-up artisans programs & screening the