Senior Chemical Engineer - Extractive Metallurgy

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Professional development

Lab facilities

Bonuses potential

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer with expertise in extractive metallurgy to join their Welkom team in a hybrid work model. You will optimize metallurgical processes, drive innovation in metal extraction, and ensure safety and environmental compliance across projects.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of experience in extractive metallurgy, with hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical focus, and strong design, simulation and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgy.
• 8+ years in extractive metallurgy focusing on design and optimization.
• Experience with hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical processes.
• Strong thermodynamics, kinetics and mass transfer knowledge.
• Pilot plant operations and scale-up challenges.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot complex extractive metallurgical processes.
• Conduct process design, simulation, and analysis using relevant software tools.
• Lead pilot plant studies and scale-up activities for new metallurgical processes.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with geologists, metallurgists, and operations personnel to integrate improvements.
• Prepare technical reports, feasibility studies, and recommendations for capital projects.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to operational teams.
• Stay informed about new technologies and research in extractive metallurgy.
• Manage process engineering aspects from conceptualization through implementation.
• Monitor plant performance, identify KPIs, and drive improvement strategies.

Skills

Extractive metallurgy

Process design

Hydrometallurgy

Pyrometallurgy

Process simulation

Education

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgy

Tools

HSC Chemistry

Aspen Plus

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Senior Chemical Engineer with expertise in extractive metallurgy to join their team in Welkom. This role adopts a hybrid work model, combining essential on-site presence with remote flexibility. You will be pivotal in optimizing metallurgical processes, driving innovation in metal extraction and refining, and ensuring the highest standards of efficiency and environmental compliance. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced engineer to contribute significantly to the resource sector in the Free State, working on cutting-edge projects that extract valuable metals. The successful candidate will possess a strong technical background in hydrometallurgy or pyrometallurgy, coupled with excellent problem-solving abilities and a collaborative spirit.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot complex extractive metallurgical processes.
• Conduct detailed process design, simulation, and analysis using relevant software tools.
• Lead pilot plant studies and scale-up activities for new metallurgical processes.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards in all process operations.
• Collaborate with geologists, metallurgists, and operations personnel to integrate process improvements.
• Prepare technical reports, feasibility studies, and recommendations for capital projects.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to operational teams.
• Stay informed about new technologies and research in extractive metallurgy.
• Manage process engineering aspects of projects, from conceptualization through to implementation.
• Monitor plant performance, identify key performance indicators (KPIs), and implement strategies for improvement.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgy.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in extractive metallurgy, with a strong focus on process design and optimization.
• Proven experience with hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical processes.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., HSC Chemistry, Aspen Plus).
• Strong understanding of chemical thermodynamics, kinetics, and mass transfer as applied to metallurgical systems.
• Experience with pilot plant operations and scale-up challenges.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in both team-based and independent settings.
• Knowledge of safety and environmental regulations within the mining industry.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Hybrid work environment offering flexibility.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Work on impactful and innovative metallurgical projects.
• Contribute to the success of a prominent company in the Free State.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Access to advanced laboratory and pilot plant facilities.