Chemical Engineer - Petrochemicals

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

On-site training

Career advancement

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a dedicated Chemical Engineer to join their Cape Town operations, focusing on overseeing and improving the efficiency of petrochemical facilities. The role requires a deep understanding of hydrocarbon processing, separation technologies, and safety standards to drive innovation and environmental compliance.

You will optimize plant performance, manage safety procedures, and contribute to continuous improvement in a large industrial group with on-site training opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years of petrochemical industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of petrochemical plant operations, process control, and safety management.
• Experience with process simulation tools is advantageous.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs and PFDs accurately.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze petrochemical plant operations for efficiency improvements.
• Oversee operation of distillation, cracking, and reforming units.
• Ensure environmental regulations are followed and promote sustainable practices.
• Perform equipment inspections and recommend maintenance or upgrades.
• Collaborate with safety to improve procedures and emergency plans.
• Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis of failures.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Process control

Safety management

P&ID & PFD interpretation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Process simulation tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client seeks a dedicated Chemical Engineer with expertise in petrochemical processes to join their team in Cape Town . You will be instrumental in overseeing and improving the operational efficiency of their petrochemical facilities. This role requires a deep understanding of hydrocarbon processing, separation technologies, and safety standards relevant to the industry. The ideal candidate will contribute to optimizing plant performance, ensuring environmental compliance, and driving innovation in a critical sector of the South African economy, working within a facility committed to operational excellence and employee development.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze petrochemical plant operations, identifying areas for efficiency improvement and cost reduction.
• Oversee the operation of various unit processes, including distillation, cracking, and reforming units.
• Ensure strict adherence to environmental regulations and implement sustainable practices within operations.
• Perform regular equipment inspections and recommend maintenance or upgrades to prevent downtime.
• Collaborate with the safety department to maintain and improve safety procedures and emergency response plans.
• Support process troubleshooting and participate in root cause analysis of operational failures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience specifically within the petrochemical industry.
• Solid knowledge of petrochemical plant operations , process control systems, and safety management.
• Experience with process simulation tools is advantageous.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs and PFDs accurately.
• Strong analytical skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Medical aid contributions and retirement fund benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement within a large industrial group.
• On-site training programs focused on specialized petrochemical processes.
• A secure and stable working environment in a key industrial hub.