Chemical Engineer - Water Treatment & Utilities

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Professional development opportunities

Competitive salary

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Chemical Engineer to manage water treatment and plant utilities at a major facility in Upington, Northern Cape. You will monitor systems, optimize processes, ensure compliance, and troubleshoot issues to maintain reliable operation and water quality.

The role requires hands-on expertise in water treatment technologies and boiler/cooling systems, with a focus on safety, sustainability, and environmental stewardship within a large industrial setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or Environmental Engineering.
• At least 4 years in water treatment or industrial utilities.
• Strong knowledge of water chemistry and RO/ion exchange.
• Familiar with environmental regulations on discharge and emissions.
• Skilled in data analysis and problem solving.
• Good communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants (raw water, process water, wastewater).
• Monitor water quality parameters and ensure compliance with environmental discharge standards.
• Optimize chemical dosing, filtration, and other treatment processes for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Manage utility systems, including steam boilers, cooling towers, and compressed air systems.
• Conduct performance analysis of utility equipment and identify areas for improvement.
• Troubleshoot issues related to water quality, equipment performance, and process upsets.
• Develop and implement energy and water conservation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety and environmental regulations.
• Prepare technical reports, operational logs, and maintenance recommendations.
• Collaborate with operations and maintenance teams to ensure system reliability.

Skills

Water treatment

SCADA/DCS experience

Process optimization

Environmental compliance

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Environmental Engineering

Tools

SCADA systems

DCS systems

Excel

Job description

About the Role Our client, a major industrial facility, is seeking a dedicated Chemical Engineer to manage and optimize their water treatment and utilities systems in Upington, Northern Cape . This role is essential for ensuring the reliable supply of high-quality water and efficient operation of steam generation, compressed air, and other critical plant utilities. The successful candidate will be responsible for monitoring system performance, identifying efficiency improvements, ensuring environmental compliance, and troubleshooting operational issues. This hands-on position offers a stable career path within a vital sector, contributing directly to the operational integrity of the facility. We are looking for a proactive engineer passionate about sustainability and resource management.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants (raw water, process water, wastewater).
• Monitor water quality parameters and ensure compliance with environmental discharge standards.
• Optimize chemical dosing, filtration, and other treatment processes for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Manage utility systems, including steam boilers, cooling towers, and compressed air systems.
• Conduct performance analysis of utility equipment and identify areas for improvement.
• Troubleshoot issues related to water quality, equipment performance, and process upsets.
• Develop and implement energy and water conservation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety and environmental regulations.
• Prepare technical reports, operational logs, and maintenance recommendations.
• Collaborate with operations and maintenance teams to ensure system reliability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Environmental Engineering.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in water treatment, wastewater management, or industrial utilities operations.
• Strong understanding of water chemistry, water treatment technologies (e.g., RO, ion exchange, disinfection), and boiler/cooling water systems.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations related to water discharge and emissions.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret technical data and operational trends.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with SCADA or DCS systems is a plus.
• Commitment to safety and environmental best practices.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive medical aid, and a provident fund.
• Opportunities for professional development and training in specialized areas of water treatment and utilities management are provided.
• Employees work within a well-established industrial setting with access to essential plant infrastructure.
• We provide a stable work environment and encourage contributions towards operational efficiency and environmental stewardship.