Lead Process Engineer - Hydrometallurgy

Placements24; Riverton (UT); On-site; USD 73,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a leading metallurgical processing company in finding a Lead Process Engineer specialized in Hydrometallurgy for an on-site role in Upington, South Africa. The role focuses on optimising leaching, solvent extraction, electrowinning, and precipitation with strong leadership requirements.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgy, 8+ years in process engineering, and at least 5 years in hydrometallurgical operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgy with hydrometallurgy focus.
• Progressive process engineering experience, including hydrometallurgical operations.
• Proven design, operation and troubleshooting of hydrometallurgical circuits.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and optimisation of hydrometallurgical processes (leaching, SX, EW, precipitation).
• Troubleshoot complex operations and identify root causes with corrective actions.
• Perform process modelling, simulations, and mass/energy balances.
• Develop pilot plant trials and scale-up studies for new processes.
• Prepare PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment specifications.
• Provide guidance to operations teams and junior engineers.
• Ensure safety, health, and environmental compliance.
• Collaborate with R&D, geology, and engineering teams on project development.
• Stay updated on hydrometallurgy advancements and technologies.
• Contribute to feasibility studies and CAPEX proposals.

Skills

Hydrometallurgy expertise

Process modelling

Team leadership

Problem-solving

Chemical engineering knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgy

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgy

Tools

METSIM

Aspen Plus

CAD tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent metallurgical processing company, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Process Engineer specialising in Hydrometallurgy. This on-site role is based in **Upington, Northern Cape, ZA**, and is central to the optimisation and development of their hydrometallurgical circuits. The Lead Process Engineer will be responsible for the design, implementation, and troubleshooting of processes such as leaching, solvent extraction, electrowinning, and precipitation. You will work closely with the operations and R&D teams to drive innovation, improve efficiencies, and ensure product quality and environmental compliance. Our client is at the forefront of metallurgical technology, employing advanced practices to extract valuable metals. This position demands a strong technical background, excellent problem-solving abilities, and leadership experience. The ideal candidate will be passionate about process optimisation and contributing to the success of a leading metallurgical operation. This is a key role with significant impact on plant performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimisation of hydrometallurgical processes, including leaching, SX, EW, and precipitation.
• Troubleshoot complex operational issues within the hydrometallurgical plant, identifying root causes and implementing solutions.
• Conduct process modelling, simulation, and mass/energy balance calculations.
• Develop and execute pilot plant trials and scale-up studies for new processes or modifications.
• Prepare detailed process design packages, PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment specifications.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to operations teams and junior engineers.
• Ensure all process designs and operations comply with safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with R&D, geology, and engineering departments to integrate process requirements into project development.
• Stay current with the latest advancements and technologies in hydrometallurgy.
• Contribute to feasibility studies and capital expenditure proposals for new projects and upgrades.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgy, with a strong focus on hydrometallurgy.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in process engineering, with at least 5 years specifically in hydrometallurgical operations.
• Proven experience in designing, operating, and troubleshooting hydrometallurgical circuits.
• Proficiency with process simulation software (e.g., METSIM, Aspen Plus) and CAD tools.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, kinetics, and mass