Senior Process Development Engineer - Hydrometallurgy

Placements24; Willows (CA); On-site; USD 61,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Process Development Engineer to lead hydrometallurgical R&D activities in Welkom, with responsibilities spanning laboratory studies, pilot-plant operations, and feasibility analyses.

The candidate should have a strong chemical/metallurgical engineering background and extensive experience in leaching, SX IX EW, and process simulation tools, delivering technically sound and economically viable solutions.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field with a specialization in hydrometallurgy.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant industrial experience in process development, with a significant focus on hydrometallurgical operations.
• Proven experience with key hydrometallurgical unit operations such as leaching (cyanidation, acid leaching), solvent extraction (SX), ion exchange (IX), and electrowinning (EW).
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HSC Chemistry) is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, kinetics, and mass transfer.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret laboratory and pilot plant experiments for hydrometallurgical process development and optimization.
• Develop process flowsheets, mass and energy balances, and equipment specifications for new and existing processes.
• Conduct techno-economic evaluations and feasibility studies for proposed hydrometallurgical projects.
• Troubleshoot and resolve operational issues in pilot and commercial plants.
• Collaborate with R&D scientists, metallurgists, and plant operations personnel to implement process improvements.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in hydrometallurgy, leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, and electrowinning technologies.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, project proposals, and presentations for management and stakeholders.
• Ensure all process development activities comply with safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical growth of the department.

Skills

Hydrometallurgy

Process development

Pilot plant ops

Tech reporting

Mentoring

Education

MSc or PhD in Chemical/Metallurgical Eng

Tools

Aspen Plus

HSC Chemistry

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in the extractive metallurgy and mineral processing industry, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Process Development Engineer to join their innovative research and development team in Welkom, Free State . This role is critical for optimizing and developing novel hydrometallurgical processes for the recovery of valuable metals. You will be responsible for laboratory-scale investigations, pilot plant operations, and feasibility studies, translating scientific concepts into commercially viable industrial processes. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in chemical engineering, process design, and extensive experience in hydrometallurgy, particularly with gold, platinum group metals, or base metals. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to sustainable resource extraction technologies in a key mining hub like Welkom .

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret laboratory and pilot plant experiments for hydrometallurgical process development and optimization.
• Develop process flowsheets, mass and energy balances, and equipment specifications for new and existing processes.
• Conduct techno-economic evaluations and feasibility studies for proposed hydrometallurgical projects.
• Troubleshoot and resolve operational issues in pilot and commercial plants.
• Collaborate with R&D scientists, metallurgists, and plant operations personnel to implement process improvements.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in hydrometallurgy, leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, and electrowinning technologies.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, project proposals, and presentations for management and stakeholders.
• Ensure all process development activities comply with safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical growth of the department.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field with a specialization in hydrometallurgy.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant industrial experience in process development, with a significant focus on hydrometallurgical operations.
• Proven experience with key hydrometallurgical unit operations such as leaching (cyanidation, acid leaching), solvent extraction (SX), ion exchange (IX), and electrowinning (EW).
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HSC Chemistry) is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, kinetics, and mass