Eugene Bruintjies
About Eugene Bruintjies
Eugene Bruintjies is a Lead Control & Automation Engineer with extensive experience in the renewable energy sector, currently working at Hatch in Johannesburg. He has held various engineering roles in South Africa and Namibia, contributing to significant projects such as the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.
Current Role at Hatch
Eugene Bruintjies serves as the Lead Control & Automation Engineer at Hatch, a position he has held since 2020. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing control and automation engineering projects, particularly in the renewable energy sector. His work involves coordinating complex project schedules and ensuring compliance with client specifications. He is based in the Johannesburg Metropolitan Area.
Previous Experience in Engineering
Eugene has a diverse background in engineering, having worked in various roles prior to his current position. He was an Instrument & Control Engineer at KC Cottrell Incorporated in South Korea from 2019 to 2020. Before that, he served as a Discipline Control and Instrument Engineer at Semane Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd from 2009 to 2014. His earlier roles include Process Control Technician at Tongaat Hulett Starch and Control and Instrument Supervisor at De Beers Marine Namibia.
Education and Qualifications
Eugene Bruintjies studied at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, where he earned an Electrical Engineering Diploma from 1991 to 1994. This educational background laid the foundation for his career in control and automation engineering, equipping him with essential skills in electrical and electronics engineering.
Expertise in Renewable Energy Projects
Eugene has significant expertise in managing the integration of renewable energy projects into the national grid. He played a key role in the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, specifically leading control and automation engineering for a 25 MW woodchip biomass plant. His specialization includes the construction and operation of biomass plants, focusing on utilizing biomass from plantations and mill waste for electricity generation.
Career Progression
Eugene's career spans over two decades, during which he has held various engineering positions. He began as a Process Control Technician at Tongaat Hulett Starch, followed by roles at De Beers Marine Namibia and Semane Consulting Engineers. He transitioned to Hatch in 2006, where he initially worked as a Technologist before advancing to his current role as Lead Control & Automation Engineer.