Process Expert (M/F)

SUEZ; Belgique; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

SUEZ is seeking an experienced Process Expert to support municipal water supply and wastewater treatment projects in Belgium. Applicants should have a degree in Engineering and extensive knowledge in sludge treatment processes.

The position demands at least 10 years of experience in the field, with responsibilities such as project management, expert input on design, and technical guidance. This role involves mobility for short assignments internationally.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of professional experience in municipal water supply/wastewater sector.
• Solid experience in wastewater and sludge treatment.
• Experience with at least 3 different treatment processes.

Responsibilities

• Act as Project Manager on projects.
• Provide expert input on plant design and optimisation.
• Review feasibility studies and technical specifications.

Skills

Strong command of municipal wastewater treatment

Process modelling and design software proficiency

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Education

Degree in Civil, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree in wastewater treatment or related field

Tools

AquaDesigner or equivalent software

Job description

Overview

Permanent

Localisation: Suez Consulting (one of the following agency - Nanterre, Brussels, Warsaw, Bucharest, Zagreb)

Your Mission

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced Process Expert to support the development, design, review and implementation of municipal water supply / wastewater treatment projects in international environments.

The role requires strong expertise in water supply / wastewater and sludge treatment processes, with proven experience in process design, plant sizing and technical review across the full project cycle, from feasibility studies and concept design through detailed engineering, construction support, commissioning and performance assessment.

A key focus of the position will be the sludge treatment line, including anaerobic digestion / methanisation, and its interaction with the water treatment line, in particular with regard to return loads, nutrient recirculation, process stability, energy recovery and overall plant performance.

Key responsibilities

• Act as Project Manager on the project under your main expertise area
• Provide expert input on the design and optimisation of municipal water supply and wastewater treatment plants, covering the water line, sludge line and related sewerage interfaces.
• Perform and review process calculations and design criteria for water supply, wastewater and sludge treatment facilities, including the sizing of tanks, basins, reactors, clarifiers, pumping systems and process equipment.
• Contribute to and review feasibility studies, concept notes, preliminary and detailed designs, technical specifications, tender documents and process design reports.
• Assess and compare treatment technologies, and recommend fit-for-purpose solutions based on influent characteristics, discharge requirements, CAPEX/OPEX, operability, energy use, land constraints and local context.
• Support project teams during construction, equipment installation, commissioning, start-up and performance testing.
• Lead or contribute to the design and review of sludge treatment systems, including thickening, digestion / methanisation, dewatering and final disposal and/or recovery routes.
• Evaluate the impact of sludge treatment configurations on the water line, including return liquors, sidestream loads, nitrogen and phosphorus recirculation, hydraulic impacts and consequences for biological treatment performance.
• Provide technical guidance to multidisciplinary teams and coordinate effectively with civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and environmental specialists.
• Review contractor submissions, shop drawings, technical submittals and method statements related to wastewater and sludge process systems.
• Keep abreast of new technologies, international standards, design practices and regulatory developments in municipal wastewater and sludge treatment.
• Undertake short-term missions, site visits and technical support assignments in developing and transition countries.

Your Profile

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.
• A Master’s degree in wastewater treatment, sanitary engineering, environmental engineering or a related field would be a strong advantage.

Professional Experience

• At least 10 years of professional experience in the municipal water supply / wastewater sector, with a strong focus on treatment processes.
• Solid experience in both wastewater treatment and sludge treatment, including sludge stabilisation and valorisation.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in process calculations and plant sizing for municipal wastewater treatment facilities, including sludge treatment units.
• Proven experience in the design and dimensioning of at least 10 municipal wastewater treatment plants, including major process units such as tanks, basins and sludge treatment facilities.
• Experience with at least 3 different biological or physico-chemical treatment processes.
• Demonstrated experience in treatment plant design for nitrogen and phosphorus removal.
• Strong experience in the sludge line, including anaerobic digestion / methanisation, dewatering and sludge management strategies.
• Good understanding of the operational and design impacts of digestion on the overall plant, especially on the water line through return flows and nutrient recirculation.
• Experience in at least 2 projects involving construction and installation of wastewater process equipment.
• Drinking water treatment experience would be an advantage, particularly in the design and review of treatment plants for surface water or groundwater, including clarification, filtration, disinfection, chemical dosing and compliance with international drinking water quality standards.
• Experience on international projects, especially in developing countries or emerging markets, would be a strong asset.

Technical Skills

• Strong command of municipal wastewater and sludge treatment process design principles.
• Sound understanding of Drinking water treatment process.
• Sound understanding of the interaction between the water line and sludge line, including sludge production, sidestream impacts and plant-wide process integration.
• Proficiency in process modelling and design software, such as AquaDesigner or equivalent tools used for wastewater treatment plant sizing and process evaluation.
• Good knowledge of international design standards, technical guidelines and, ideally, donor-funded project requirements.
• Ability to produce high-quality technical documentation and to critically review third-party designs.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to propose robust, practical and cost-effective solutions adapted to local constraints.

Personal profile

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Able to work independently and effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to explain technical matters to clients, partners, contractors and non-specialists.
• Proactive, practical and solution-oriented approach.
• Strong professional interest in innovation and continuous learning in the wastewater sector.

Mobility

• Willingness to travel on short assignments in Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Asia & Pacific and Africa.

Languages

• Excellent command of English is required.
• Knowledge of French or other relevant languages would be an advantage.