Chemical Engineer - Project Execution

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 277,000 - 461,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a skilled Chemical Engineer to lead on-site project execution for a Upington facility expansion in the Northern Cape. You will manage technical aspects, coordinate with contractors and internal teams, and ensure timely commissioning of new processes.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and at least five years in project execution or field engineering, with strong leadership and problem-solving abilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering is required.
• Minimum 5 years in project execution, construction, or field engineering roles.
• Strong understanding of chemical process equipment, piping, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Experience coordinating contractors and ensuring quality on-site.

Responsibilities

• Oversee technical execution of chemical process projects on-site.
• Ensure construction and installation meet designs, specs and safety standards.
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors and internal teams.
• Monitor progress, identify risks, and implement mitigations.
• Review technical docs, including datasheets, drawings and procedures.
• Participate in pre-commissioning and commissioning activities.
• Conduct site inspections and quality checks.
• Troubleshoot issues during construction and commissioning.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental regs at site.
• Provide regular project reports and updates to management.

Skills

Project management

Chemical process knowledge

Site coordination

Leadership

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key player in the renewable energy sector, is seeking a skilled Chemical Engineer to focus on Project Execution for their upcoming facility expansion in **Upington, Northern Cape**. This role is critical for the successful implementation of new process technologies and plant upgrades. You will be responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of project execution, ensuring that installations meet design specifications, safety standards, and project timelines. The position requires strong project management skills, a deep understanding of chemical process equipment, and the ability to coordinate effectively with contractors and internal teams on-site. This is a project-based role, demanding full-time presence at our **Upington** site throughout the duration of the project, typically 12-18 months.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the technical execution of chemical process projects on-site.


• Ensure all construction and installation activities comply with engineering designs, specifications, and safety standards.


• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and internal engineering/operations teams.


• Monitor project progress, identify potential risks or delays, and implement mitigation strategies.


• Review and approve technical documentation, including equipment datasheets, drawings, and installation procedures.


• Participate in pre-commissioning and commissioning activities, ensuring smooth start-up of new processes.


• Conduct site inspections and quality control checks.


• Troubleshoot technical issues that arise during the construction and commissioning phases.


• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations at the **Upington** site.


• Prepare project reports and provide regular updates to project management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.


• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project execution, construction, or field engineering roles, preferably in the chemical or energy sectors.


• Strong understanding of chemical process equipment, piping, instrumentation, and control systems.


• Proven experience in managing site activities, coordinating contractors, and ensuring quality.


• Knowledge of project management methodologies and tools.


• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to make sound technical decisions under pressure.


• Strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.


• Ability to work full-time on-site in **Upington** for the duration of the contract.


• Familiarity with renewable energy processes is a plus.

Benefits

This contract position offers a competitive daily rate or project-based remuneration. While this is a contract role, our client provides a supportive project environment and opportunities to work on significant infrastructure development. Employees will receive comprehensive on-site safety training and access to project-specific resources. The **Upington** location offers a unique working environment within a developing industrial area. This role provides excellent experience in large-scale project execution within the chemical engineering field.