Remote Principal Process Engineer

Placements24; Southampton; Remote; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Medical coverage

Retirement fund

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a global leader in mineral processing technology to recruit a Principal Process Engineer for a fully remote role. You will lead the design, optimization, and troubleshooting of complex mineral processing plants worldwide, leveraging expertise in comminution, flotation, leaching, and separation technologies.

You will mentor junior engineers, guide cross‑functional teams across time zones, and deliver technical reports, feasibility studies, and project proposals

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemical or Metallurgical Engineering or closely related field.
• 15+ years progressive experience in mineral process engineering, with emphasis on design and optimization.
• Expertise in mineral processing unit operations (crushing, grinding, flotation, CIL, solvent extraction).
• Proficiency in process simulation and modeling software.
• Strong understanding of mineralogy, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics relevant to mineral processing.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects and manage remote technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptual design and detailed engineering of mineral processing plants and circuits.
• Optimize existing plants to improve performance, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability.
• Conduct process simulations and modeling using industry-standard software.
• Troubleshoot operational issues and develop effective solutions.
• Develop PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment specifications.

Skills

Leadership

Remote team leadership

Analytical problem-solving

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Chemical/Metallurgical Engineering

Tools

Metso Outotec HSC

JKSimFloat

Aspen Plus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in mineral processing technology, is seeking an experienced and innovative Principal Process Engineer to join our dynamic, fully remote team. This senior role is critical in driving the design, optimization, and troubleshooting of complex mineral processing plants worldwide. You will leverage your extensive expertise in areas such as comminution, flotation, leaching, and separation technologies to develop cutting‑edge solutions that enhance efficiency, increase recovery rates, and reduce operational costs. The Principal Process Engineer will provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams across different time zones. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact on global mining operations from a remote setting, contributing to sustainable and efficient resource extraction.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptual design and detailed engineering of mineral processing plants and circuits.
• Optimize existing process plants to improve performance, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability.
• Conduct process simulations and modeling using industry-standard software (e.g., Metso Outotec HSC, JKSimFloat, Aspen Plus).
• Troubleshoot complex operational issues and develop effective solutions.
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and equipment specifications.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to a global team of process engineers.
• Collaborate with research and development teams to evaluate and integrate new technologies.
• Prepare and present comprehensive technical reports, feasibility studies, and project proposals.
• Ensure process designs comply with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Manage process engineering aspects of capital projects from inception to commissioning.

Requirements

• A Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in mineral process engineering, with a significant focus on design and optimization.
• Demonstrated expertise in a wide range of mineral processing unit operations (e.g., crushing, grinding, flotation, CIL, solvent extraction).
• Advanced proficiency in process simulation and modeling software.
• Strong understanding of mineralogy, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics relevant to mineral processing.
• Proven ability to lead complex engineering projects and manage diverse technical teams remotely.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience in technical report writing and presentations.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a global, remote team environment.
• Professional Engineer (PE) or equivalent registration is highly desirable.

Benefits

This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, a substantial annual bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package including excellent medical coverage and a robust retirement fund. Our client provides extensive opportunities for professional development, including access to advanced training programs, conferences, and continuous learning resources. We foster a collaborative and innovative remote work culture, supported by state‑of‑the‑art digital collaboration tools. This role offers the unique advantage of contributing to major global projects without the need for relocation, promoting a flexible and balanced lifestyle.