Senior Process Engineer - Chemical Plants

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Process Engineer for its client in the Oil & Gas sector, based in Welkom, Free State, ZA. The role focuses on design, optimization, and safe operation of chemical processes with a strong emphasis on continuous improvement.

A hybrid work setup balances on-site activity with remote flexibility. The candidate will lead process design, simulations, and troubleshooting, while mentoring junior engineers and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 6 years of process engineering experience in Oil & Gas or chemical processing.
• Experience with process design, simulation (HYSYS/Aspen Plus) and troubleshooting.
• Strong grounding in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and mass transfer.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize chemical processes for efficiency and safety.
• Conduct process simulations and modeling using specialized software.
• Troubleshoot and resolve operational issues in processing plants.
• Develop P&IDs and process flow diagrams.
• Perform PHAs and implement safety recommendations.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies to improve process performance.
• Manage process engineering projects from conception to completion.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Train and mentor junior process engineers and technicians.
• Collaborate with maintenance and operations teams to ensure plant reliability.

Skills

Process design

Troubleshooting

Process optimization

Thermodynamics

Fluid mechanics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

HYSYS

Aspen Plus

Process simulation software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished entity within the Oil & Gas industry, is seeking to appoint a highly capable Senior Process Engineer to join their operations based in Welkom, Free State, ZA. This role is pivotal in ensuring the efficient and safe operation of chemical processing plants, focusing on process optimization, troubleshooting, and the implementation of innovative solutions. You will be instrumental in designing, developing, and managing processes that are crucial to our production output. This position requires a blend of strong theoretical knowledge and practical application, with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence. The successful candidate will work closely with operational teams, project engineers, and management to achieve key performance indicators. The role offers a Hybrid work arrangement, balancing essential on-site presence with remote flexibility. We are dedicated to fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment in Welkom.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize chemical processes for efficiency and safety.
• Conduct process simulations and modeling using specialized software.
• Troubleshoot and resolve operational issues in processing plants.
• Develop P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams) and process flow diagrams.
• Perform process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement safety recommendations.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies to improve process performance.
• Manage process engineering projects from conception to completion.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Train and mentor junior process engineers and technicians.
• Collaborate with maintenance and operations teams to ensure plant reliability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in process engineering within the Oil & Gas or chemical processing industry.
• Proven experience with process design, simulation (e.g., HYSYS, Aspen Plus), and troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and mass