Chemical Engineer - Petrochemical Operations

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement benefits

Ongoing training and professional dev.

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Chemical Engineer to join our Bloemfontein operations, focusing on optimizing production, ensuring safety, and maintaining high output from manufacturing facilities. The role involves collaborating with operators and maintenance teams to troubleshoot, implement improvements, and drive efficiency, on-site in a dynamic industrial environment.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and at least 4 years in a chemical or petrochemical setting, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in a chemical plant or petrochemical operational environment.
• Strong understanding of chemical engineering principles, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and mass transfer.
• Experience with process simulation software (Aspen Plus, HYSYS) is advantageous.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting and problem-solving complex process issues.
• Knowledge of safety management systems and hazard analysis techniques (HAZOP).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Familiarity with process control systems and instrumentation.
• Commitment to health, safety, and environmental best practices.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze plant operations to identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency gains.
• Troubleshoot process deviations and equipment malfunctions, implementing corrective actions.
• Develop and implement process modifications to enhance product yield, quality, and safety.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement recommendations to mitigate risks.
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and company safety standards.
• Collaborate with the maintenance team to schedule and oversee equipment repairs and upgrades.
• Assist in the development of SOPs and provide training to operators.
• Perform economic evaluations for proposed process changes and capital projects.
• Participate in process design reviews and provide input for new plant construction or modifications.
• Maintain accurate process data and generate performance reports for management.

Skills

Chemical engineering principles

Thermodynamics

Mass transfer

Troubleshooting

Safety management

Process optimization

Team collaboration

Independence

Instrumentation knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant player in the petrochemical industry, is seeking a dedicated Chemical Engineer to join their operational team in **Bloemfontein**. This role is crucial for optimizing production processes, ensuring plant safety, and maintaining high-quality output from their manufacturing facilities. The successful candidate will work closely with plant operators and maintenance teams to troubleshoot issues, implement process improvements, and drive efficiency. This is an on-site position requiring hands‑on involvement in a dynamic industrial environment. We are looking for an engineer who is passionate about process optimization and committed to operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze plant operations to identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency gains.
• Troubleshoot process deviations and equipment malfunctions, implementing corrective actions.
• Develop and implement process modifications to enhance product yield, quality, and safety.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement recommendations to mitigate risks.
• Ensure compliance with all environmental regulations and company safety standards.
• Collaborate with the maintenance team to schedule and oversee equipment repairs and upgrades.
• Assist in the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and provide training to operators.
• Perform economic evaluations for proposed process changes and capital projects.
• Participate in process design reviews and provide input for new plant construction or modifications.
• Maintain accurate process data and generate performance reports for management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in a chemical plant or petrochemical operational environment.
• Strong understanding of chemical engineering principles, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and mass transfer.
• Experience with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS) is advantageous.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting and problem‑solving complex process issues.
• Knowledge of safety management systems and hazard analysis techniques (e.g., HAZOP).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Familiarity with process control systems and instrumentation.
• Commitment to health, safety, and environmental best practices.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with comprehensive medical aid and retirement benefits. Employees have access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities to enhance their skills. The role is based at a state‑of‑the‑art facility in **Bloemfontein**, providing a stable and dynamic work environment. Opportunities for career advancement within the company are available. Our client is dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace culture.