Chemical Engineer - Plant Operations

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund benefits

Training and development

Upington base in Northern Cape

Performance-based incentives

Job summary

Placements24 in Upington, Northern Cape, is seeking a hands-on Chemical Engineer for our client’s plant operations team. You will monitor, control, and optimize chemical processes to ensure safety, efficiency, and product quality, and work with a dedicated operations group in a mining/agrochemical context.

The role requires a BEng in Chemical Engineering and at least 4 years’ experience, with DCS, process instrumentation, and PHAs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 4+ years in chemical plant operations or process engineering.
• Strong knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and reaction kinetics.
• Experience with DCS and process instrumentation.
• Familiarity with Process Safety Management (PSM).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work rotating shifts if required.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Experience in mining/agricultural chemical sectors is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and control plant processes to optimize performance and schedules.
• Analyze process data to identify trends and improvements.
• Troubleshoot upsets and equipment malfunctions with timely fixes.
• Ensure compliance with SHE regulations and policies.
• Participate in PHAs and implement safety recommendations.
• Collaborate with maintenance, operations, and QA teams for reliability.
• Assist commissioning and startup of new equipment and modifications.
• Develop and update SOPs for plant operations.
• Support root cause analyses for production and quality issues.
• Contribute to cost reduction and process optimization initiatives.

Skills

DCS experience

Process instrumentation

PSM concepts

Analytical skills

Teamwork

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant player in the chemical manufacturing industry, is seeking a skilled Chemical Engineer for their plant operations team in Upington, Northern Cape . This role is critical for the day-to-day success of our production facilities. You will be responsible for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing chemical processes to ensure safety, efficiency, and product quality. The ideal candidate possesses a strong practical understanding of chemical engineering principles and has a proven ability to troubleshoot operational challenges in a plant environment. This position offers the opportunity to work with advanced manufacturing technologies and contribute to the reliable supply of essential chemical products. We are looking for a hands-on engineer who can work effectively within a dedicated operations team in the unique setting of the Northern Cape. Continuous improvement and operational excellence are at the core of our mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and control plant processes to ensure optimal performance and adherence to production schedules.
• Analyze process data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Troubleshoot process upsets and equipment malfunctions, implementing timely and effective solutions.
• Ensure strict adherence to safety, health, and environmental (SHE) regulations and company policies.
• Participate in process hazard analyses (PHAs) and the implementation of safety recommendations.
• Collaborate with maintenance, operations, and quality assurance teams to maintain plant reliability.
• Assist in the commissioning and start-up of new equipment and process modifications.
• Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for plant operations.
• Support root cause analysis investigations for production and quality issues.
• Contribute to cost reduction initiatives and process optimization efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in chemical plant operations or process engineering.
• Solid understanding of chemical engineering principles: thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and reaction kinetics.
• Experience with Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and process instrumentation.
• Familiarity with Process Safety Management (PSM) concepts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills for effective teamwork.
• Ability to work effectively in a plant environment, including rotating shifts if required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience in the mining chemical or agricultural chemical sector is advantageous.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive medical aid, and retirement fund benefits.
• Employees have access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities, enhancing their skills and career prospects.
• This role is based in Upington , offering a chance to work in a growing industrial region.
• We provide a safe and supportive work environment, with opportunities for advancement within the company.
• Additional benefits include performance-based incentives and access to company facilities.
• Join a team committed to operational excellence and making a tangible contribution to the chemical industry.