Chemical Engineer - Plant Operations

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 780,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid vacation

Career advancement

On-site training

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria is seeking a hands-on Chemical Engineer to join the plant operations team. You will help ensure safe, efficient day-to-day production and work with operations and maintenance to troubleshoot and optimize processes.

The role emphasizes practical problem solving, strong collaboration, and a commitment to safety and continuous improvement in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering required.
• 3–5 years of plant operations or process engineering experience.
• Strong safety and continuous improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Monitor plant operations and analyze performance data.
• Provide technical support to resolve process upsets.
• Implement process improvements to boost efficiency and quality.
• Participate in safety reviews and risk assessments.
• Develop operating procedures and training materials.
• Collaborate on equipment upgrades and reliability projects.

Skills

Experience in chemical plants

Unit operations

Thermodynamics

Fluid dynamics

DCS knowledge

Data analysis

Problem solving

Teamwork

Safety focus

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

DCS

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a hands‑on Chemical Engineer to join their plant operations team in Pretoria . This role is essential for ensuring the smooth, efficient, and safe day-to-day running of our chemical production facility. You will work closely with the operations and maintenance staff to troubleshoot issues, optimize processes, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. This position requires a practical approach, strong problem‑solving skills, and a commitment to maintaining high operational standards in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor plant operations, analyze performance data, and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Provide technical support to the operations team to resolve process upsets and equipment issues.
• Implement process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality.
• Participate in plant safety reviews, risk assessments, and ensure adherence to safety protocols.
• Develop and update operating procedures and training materials for plant personnel.
• Collaborate with the engineering and maintenance departments on equipment upgrades and reliability projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering . 3-5 years of experience in chemical plant operations or process engineering.
• Solid understanding of unit operations, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.
• Experience with process control systems (DCS) and data analysis tools.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve complex operational problems effectively.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills, with a focus on safety and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary.
• Health insurance and retirement savings plan.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Opportunities for career advancement within operations.
• On‑site training programs focused on operational excellence.
• Stable work environment within a well‑established company.