Processing Engineer

Sgr Sa; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, seeks a Processing Engineer to optimize hydrometallurgical refining circuits and maximize precious metal recovery. The role focuses on Miller chlorination and Wohlwill electrolysis, while maintaining safety, environmental, and quality standards.

Reporting to the Refinery Manager, you will lead technical troubleshooting, drive change management, train operators, develop SOPs, and support internal and external audits to ensure consistent,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or Materials Science is required.
• Minimum 5 years of hydrometallurgy or precious metals refining experience is mandatory.
• Expertise in Miller chlorination and Wohlwill electrolysis is essential.
• Strong mass balance calculations and metallurgical accounting knowledge.
• Proficiency in reading P&IDs and process flow diagrams.
• English proficiency for technical reporting is required.

Responsibilities

• Process optimization monitoring adjustments to temperature, pressure and chemical concentrations.
• Yield management through metal mass balances and reconciliation.
• Safety compliance with ISO 14001 and local discharge limits.
• Technical troubleshooting and root cause investigations for process upsets.
• Change management for process parameter, chemical, or equipment modifications.
• Operator training on hazards, controls and emergency procedures.
• SOP development and maintenance for refining stages.
• Audit support with technical data and process documentation.
• Chemical efficiency improvements reducing consumption per kilogram refined.

Skills

Mass balance calculations

HSE compliance

Root cause analysis

Technical reporting (English)

P&IDs interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or Materials Science

Job description

About Saudi Gold Refinery

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is a Saudi mining and precious-metals company specialized in the refining of gold and precious metals, bullion production, and value-added precious-metal services. Operating within the Kingdom's mining value chain, SGR is aligned to the Vision 2030 mining pillar and to the regulatory framework set by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) and applicable Saudi and international standards. We produce responsibly sourced, traceable, and certified bullion, operate to LBMA Good Delivery and ISO-aligned quality standards, and invest in the people, processes, and controls behind every bar we produce.

Role Overview

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is seeking a Processing Engineer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to optimize hydrometallurgical refining circuits and ensure maximum precious metal recovery. This role manages process parameters for the Miller and Wohlwill processes to produce LBMA-grade bullion while maintaining strict safety and environmental standards. The engineer leads technical troubleshooting and implements Management of Change protocols for process modifications.

The Processing Engineer will report directly to the Refinery Manager and will play a key role in maintaining yield efficiency and operational stability. This position ensures that all refining activities comply with SASO standards and internal quality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

The Processing Engineer is responsible for the following key areas of technical and operational leadership.

Process Optimization

The role monitors real-time process data to adjust temperature, pressure, and chemical concentrations for optimal recovery rates.

Yield Management

This position calculates and tracks metal mass balances to ensure reconciliation accuracy within acceptable audit tolerances.

Safety Compliance

The engineer ensures all process operations comply with ISO 14001 environmental standards and local effluent discharge limits.

Technical Troubleshooting

The role leads root cause analysis investigations for process upsets, equipment failures, or quality non-conformances.

Change Management

This position manages the Management of Change (MOC) process for any modification to process parameters, chemicals, or equipment.

Operator Training

The engineer delivers technical training to operators on chemical hazards, process controls, and emergency response procedures.

SOP Development

The role develops and updates Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all refining stages to ensure consistent operational execution.

Audit Support

This position provides technical data and process documentation to support internal and external quality audits.

Chemical Efficiency

The engineer analyzes reagent consumption trends and implements measures to reduce costs per kilogram of refined metal.

The role collaborates with Maintenance to define technical specifications for spare parts and repair scopes for refining equipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or Materials Science is required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in hydrometallurgy or precious metals refining is mandatory.
• Proven expertise in gold and silver refining processes including Miller chlorination and Wohlwill electrolysis is essential.
• Strong understanding of mass balance calculations and metallurgical accounting is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of HSE regulations and chemical safety management is necessary.
• Experience with root cause analysis methodologies such as Fishbone or FMEA is required.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs and process flow diagrams is mandatory.
• Proficiency in English for technical reporting and communication is required.

Preferred / Nice-to-have

• Master's degree in Extractive Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering is preferred.
• Experience with LBMA Good Delivery List requirements is advantageous.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 management systems is preferred.
• Previous work in a Saudi industrial facility is advantageous.

Success Metrics

• Gold recovery rates remain above 99.5% for all refining batches.
• Chemical consumption per kilogram of refined gold decreases by 5%.
• All process upsets have completed root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Technical response for one internal or external quality audit is successful.
• All refining SOPs are updated and validated to reflect current practices.
• 100% of shift operators are trained and certified on updated procedures.
• Zero environmental non-compliances or safety incidents related to process operations.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Saudi Gold Refinery welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Hiring decisions are made based on role requirements, skills, experience, and alignment with Saudization and Vision 2030 priorities.