Chemical Engineer - Process Development

Placements24; Richards Bay; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Retirement plan

Performance incentives

Professional development

Work-life balance

Job summary

Placements24 in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking a Chemical Engineer to join the Process Development team. The role focuses on developing and optimizing chemical processes, piloting plant trials, and translating lab results into scalable production.

The ideal candidate has a BSc or BEng in Chemical Engineering, at least 5 years of process development experience, and proficiency with Aspen Plus or ChemCAD.

Qualifications

• BSc or BEng in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in process development/optimization in chemical or petrochemical industry.
• Proficiency with process simulation software (Aspen Plus, ChemCAD).
• Experience with pilot plant operations and scale-up principles.
• Strong understanding of reaction engineering and separation technologies.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and computational skills.
• Able to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of process safety management (PSM) is advantageous.
• Willingness to reside near Richards Bay or relocate as needed.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute pilot plant studies to evaluate new process technologies.
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs) and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).
• Conduct process simulations and economic evaluations for new process designs.
• Troubleshoot and optimize existing manufacturing processes to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
• Ensure all process designs adhere to SHE standards.
• Collaborate with R&D chemists and engineers to translate lab findings into viable industrial processes.
• Prepare detailed technical reports and process documentation.
• Provide technical support to the manufacturing team during start-ups and troubleshooting.

Skills

Process simulation software

Pilot plant operations

Reaction engineering

Analytical problem-solving

Computational skills

Team collaboration

Independent working

Communication skills

Education

BSc or BEng in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

ChemCAD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant force in the petrochemical and fertilizer industry, is seeking a skilled Chemical Engineer to join their Process Development team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This role is integral to the innovation pipeline, focusing on developing and optimizing chemical processes for new and existing products. The successful candidate will be involved in pilot plant trials, process modeling, and ensuring that developed processes are scalable, safe, and economically viable for full-scale production. This position offers the chance to work on challenging projects that have a direct impact on the company's growth and sustainability initiatives. We foster a culture of scientific curiosity and engineering excellence. This is an ideal role for a proactive engineer who thrives on problem-solving and innovation in a dynamic industrial setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute pilot plant studies to evaluate new process technologies.
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs) and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).
• Conduct process simulations and economic evaluations for new process designs.
• Troubleshoot and optimize existing manufacturing processes to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
• Ensure all process designs adhere to safety, health, and environmental (SHE) standards.
• Collaborate with R&D chemists and engineers to translate laboratory findings into viable industrial processes.
• Prepare detailed technical reports and process documentation.
• Provide technical support to the manufacturing team during process start-ups and troubleshooting.

Requirements

• BSc or BEng in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process development or optimization within the chemical or petrochemical industry.
• Proficiency with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, ChemCAD).
• Experience with pilot plant operations and scale-up principles.
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction engineering and separation technologies.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and computational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of process safety management (PSM) is advantageous.
• Residing in or willing to relocate to the vicinity of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal .

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, a comprehensive benefits package including medical and retirement plans, performance incentives, and significant opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Employees in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal benefit from a stimulating work environment, access to advanced research and development facilities, and a commitment to work-life balance.
• Additional perks include potential for international assignments, continued education support, and wellness programs.
• This is a chance to contribute to vital industrial processes in a key South African economic hub.