Reinach van Nieuwenhuizen
Blacks Beach,Australia
Summary
Dedicated and results-driven Control and Instrumentation Engineer with over 15 years of experience managing the full lifecycle of automation projects, from design and development to commissioning and maintenance. Recently immigrated to Australia, leveraging extensive technical expertise to support major mining projects in Queensland. Demonstrated leadership in optimizing plant operations for high availability while delivering innovative solutions to complex challenges. Possesses deep technical knowledge in PLC/SCADA programming, C&I design, and network architecture, consistently adding lasting economic value to organizations.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Control Systems Engineer
Alliance Automation (System Integrator)
Mackay, Australia
01.2019 - Current
- Prepare, schedule, coordinate, and monitor assigned engineering projects to ensure adherence to standards and specifications.
- Perform comprehensive quality control across budget, schedule, plans, and personnel performance, reporting regularly on project status.
- Provide on-call standby support, assisting multiple key clients with troubleshooting and resolving day-to-day operational issues.
- Develop project quotes, plan timelines, and lead the training and supervision of Graduate Engineers.
- Key Projects Include:
- R&D - Train Speed Indicator Upgrade: Led an R&D project to upgrade a legacy train speed indicator.
- Collinsville Stacker 600T (Collinsville, QLD): Programmed Safety PLC & SCADA systems and oversaw a graduate engineer through programming and commissioning.
- Kestrel Coal PLC Upgrade (Emerald, QLD): Converted Schneider Unity code to Rockwell Studio5000, generated ITC/ITP documents, and commissioned the system.
- Sojitz Gregory (Emerald, QLD): Created secure network designs and programmed Moxa firewalls, Red Lion media converters, and Siemens Power Monitoring software.
- Collinsville Viper System (Collinsville, QLD): Programmed PLC & SCADA systems and oversaw a graduate engineer through programming and commissioning.
A & I Engineer
Mondi (Client-Side)
Richards Bay, South Africa
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Developed the Automation & Instrumentation project scope for major brownfield projects, including drawing up tender documents for external contractors.
- Performed quality control and design checks on work delivered by system integrators and engineering partners.
- Served as the primary client representative to interpret operational needs and manage project execution in the field.
- Motivated for Capital Asset Replacements to optimise plant performance and investigated incidents to prevent reoccurrence.
- Key Projects Include:
- Mondi Recovery Boiler Rebuild
- Mondi Chemical Plant Upgrade
Electrical Engineer
Mpact (Client-Side)
Piet Retief, South Africa
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Acted as Head of Department for Electrical & Instrumentation, with full operational and maintenance management responsibility for Electricians, Instrument Technicians, and IT personnel.
- Led the implementation of strategic Capex initiatives, transforming the maintenance model from reactive to planned preventative maintenance.
- Achieved and sustained plant availability exceeding 95% through strategic maintenance planning and systems optimisation.
- Drove research and development to maintain and optimise all electrical and instrumentation systems.
C & I Engineer
Logichem Control (System Integrator)
Sandton, South Africa
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Led all Control & Instrumentation aspects of projects, from creating design criteria to ensuring adherence to client requirements.
- Developed C&I designs, drafted functional design specifications, and established PLC/SCADA software standards.
- Coordinated project tasks and provided technical assistance to all C&I personnel.
- Key Industry Exposure:
- Gold and platinum mining, ventilation systems, and large-scale water treatment works.
Automation Technician
SA Power (System Integrator)
Alrode, South Africa
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Developed electrical, control, and instrumentation designs.
- Programmed PLC, HMI, and SCADA software, and configured VSDs and motion controllers.
- Commissioned and optimised various machines and systems.
- Key Industry Exposure:
- Packaging and processing machines and ad-hoc client support.
PLC Programmer
Logichem Control (System Integrator)
Sandton, South Africa
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Developed PLC and SCADA software for various industrial projects.
- Designed control and instrumentation systems, specified instruments, and performed calibrations.
- Key Industry Exposure:
- Played a key role in the commissioning and optimisation of projects across Africa and South America.
Education
Bachelor of Technology - Electrical Engineering
University of South Africa
01.2015
National Diploma - Electrical Engineering
Tshwane University of Technology
01.2010
High School Diploma - undefined
Marais Viljoen High School
01.2005
Skills
- PLCs: Allen-Bradley (ControlLogix, SLC500, CompactLogix), Siemens (S7-300/400/1500), Schneider (Quantum, Premium, M580), GE (90-30,RX3i, RXi)
- SCADA / HMI: GE iFIX, Schneider (Citect, Intouch), Allen-Bradley FTME, FTOptix, Siemens WinCC
- Drives: Lenze, Control Techniques, Schneider, Siemens, WEG, ABB
- Communication Protocols: Ethernet/IP, Profibus/Profinet, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Modbus (Serial/TCP), OPC
- Software & Programming: C, C#, SQL, Net, MS Office Suite, AutoCAD, WireShark
- DCS: Valmet DNA
Accomplishments
- Project Leadership & Management: You successfully managed all project control systems, ensuring completion to company standards, on time, and within budget. Your role included supervising and training junior programmers, as well as organizing and delegating project tasks based on their abilities.
- Technology & Software Development: You designed and developed custom C# programs that enabled communication between PLCs and NIRS (Near-infrared spectroscopy) equipment for the purpose of controlling and managing sensors, HMIs, and alarms.
- Industry Recognition: You were featured as a speaker at a General Electric SPIntelligent conference, where you presented on successfully completed projects in Africa.
Affiliations
- Engineers Australia | Member ID: 8615763
- Former: SAIMC (M06459), ECSA (201580480)
Certification
- Microsoft (EDX) - Programming with C#
- Schneider Electric Plant Struxure Certifications (Unity Pro, Vijeo Citect, Networks)
- GE Intelligent Platforms (Controllers Quickstart, Intro to PROFICY, OM I: ISA-95)
- Schneider Electric PLC, Plant Struxure & Wonderware SCADA Training
- First Aid Level 1 & 2
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Afrikaans
Native or Bilingual
Interests
- Graphic Design
- Artificial Intelligence
- Programming
- Gaming
Core Competencies
- Project Management & Coordination
- PLC & SCADA System Development
- Control & Instrumentation Design
- Commissioning & Optimisation
- Preventative Maintenance Strategy
- Team Leadership & Training
- Network Architecture & Troubleshooting
- Systems Integration & Upgrades
Timeline
Lead Control Systems Engineer
Alliance Automation (System Integrator)
01.2019 - Current
A & I Engineer
Mondi (Client-Side)
01.2019 - 01.2021
Electrical Engineer
Mpact (Client-Side)
01.2017 - 01.2019
C & I Engineer
Logichem Control (System Integrator)
01.2012 - 01.2016
Automation Technician
SA Power (System Integrator)
01.2010 - 01.2012
PLC Programmer
Logichem Control (System Integrator)
01.2008 - 01.2010
National Diploma - Electrical Engineering
Tshwane University of Technology
High School Diploma - undefined
Marais Viljoen High School
Bachelor of Technology - Electrical Engineering
University of South Africa