Principal Process Engineer - Chemical Processing

Placements24; Willows (CA); Presencial; USD 72.000 - 120.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Life insurance

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Process Engineer for the Welkom, Free State facility to lead design, optimization, and scale-up of chemical processes. The role requires strong expertise in reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and process safety.

You will mentor engineers, drive capital projects, and collaborate across R&D, engineering, and operations. The ideal candidate holds an MSc or PhD in Chemical Engineering with 8+ years of experience in chemical/petrochemical industries and proficiency

Formación

• MSc or PhD in Chemical Engineering as required educational background.
• 8+ years of experience in process engineering within chemical or related industries.
• Proven ability to lead complex process development and scale-up projects.
• Strong knowledge of unit operations, reaction engineering, and thermodynamics.
• Experience with process simulation software and P&ID development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and leadership skills.

Responsabilidades

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of chemical processes.
• Perform process simulations and modeling with industry-standard software.
• Develop PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment specifications.
• Conduct PHAs including HAZOP studies for safety and compliance.
• Oversee pilot plant operations and scale-up activities.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate with R&D, engineering, and operations.
• Evaluate new technologies and drive capital project proposals.

Conocimientos

Leadership & mentoring

Process simulation

PHAs & HAZOP

Team collaboration

Analytical problem solving

Clear communication

Educación

MSc or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Herramientas

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

PFD/P&ID development

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client, a significant force in the chemical processing industry, is looking for a highly accomplished Principal Process Engineer to lead critical projects at their Welkom, Free State facility. This senior position is responsible for the conceptualization, design, optimization, and scale-up of chemical processes, ensuring efficiency, safety, and environmental compliance. The Principal Process Engineer will provide expert technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and drive innovation in process technology. The role demands a deep understanding of chemical engineering principles, including reaction kinetics, separation processes, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics. You will be a key contributor to strategic decisions regarding process improvements, capital investments, and operational excellence. This is an excellent opportunity to influence major industrial processes in a growing sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of new chemical processes and the optimization of existing ones.
• Perform process simulations and modeling using industry-standard software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS).
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and equipment specifications.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHAs), including HAZOP studies, to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee pilot plant operations and support the scale-up of processes to commercial production.
• Provide technical support to operations and maintenance teams, troubleshooting process issues and implementing improvements.
• Evaluate new technologies and make recommendations for process enhancements and capital projects.
• Mentor and guide junior process engineers, fostering their technical development and project execution capabilities.
• Collaborate with R&D, engineering, and operations departments to achieve project goals.

Requirements

• MSc or PhD in Chemical Engineering.
• At least 8 years of experience in process engineering within the chemical, petrochemical, or related industries.
• Extensive experience with process simulation software and proficiency in P&ID development.
• Strong knowledge of unit operations, reaction engineering, and thermodynamics.
• Proven track record of leading complex process development and scale-up projects.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional registration (e.g., Pr. Eng) with ECSA is preferred.
• Commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.

Benefits

Our client provides a highly competitive salary package with performance incentives and comprehensive benefits, including medical aid, retirement fund, and life insurance. Opportunities for advanced training, professional development, and career progression within a leading industrial group are available. This role is situated in Welkom, Free State, offering exposure to significant industrial operations. We foster a culture of innovation and provide a supportive work environment.