Chemical Process Design Engineer

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid work in Stellenbosch

Professional development & training

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Chemical Process Design Engineer in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, to lead the creation of new chemical processes and modification of existing ones. You will develop PFDs, P&IDs, equipment specs, and perform feasibility studies within a collaborative R&D and engineering setting.

The role requires a strong chemical engineering foundation, design software proficiency, and a creative problem-solving approach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in chemical process design and project engineering.
• Experience developing PFDs and P&IDs with equipment specs.
• Proficient in process simulation software (Aspen Plus, Chemcad) and CAD tools.
• Strong fundamentals in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat/mass transfer.
• Familiar with HAZOP and process safety analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual and detailed process designs for chemical plants.
• Create PFDs, P&IDs, and mass/energy balances.
• Specify reactors, exchangers, pumps, and separation units.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations.
• Perform process simulations and modeling.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams throughout projects.
• Ensure designs meet safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Assist commissioning and start-up of new processes.
• Troubleshoot design issues during operation.

Skills

Chemical engineering fundamentals

Process simulation

CAD tools

Technical writing

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

Chemcad

CAD tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking chemical solutions provider in **Stellenbosch, Western Cape**, is seeking a skilled Chemical Process Design Engineer to contribute to the development and execution of innovative projects. This role is central to designing new chemical processes and modifying existing ones to meet evolving market demands and sustainability targets. You will be responsible for creating process flow diagrams, P&IDs, equipment specifications, and conducting feasibility studies. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles, proficiency in design software, and a creative approach to problem-solving in a dynamic R&D and engineering environment. This is an excellent opportunity to work on challenging projects in a region known for its innovation and beautiful surroundings.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual designs and detailed process designs for chemical plants and units.
• Create process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and mass/energy balances.
• Specify process equipment such as reactors, heat exchangers, pumps, and separation units.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new process designs.
• Perform process simulations and modeling using industry-standard software.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, civil engineers) throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure process designs comply with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Assist in the commissioning and start-up of new processes.
• Troubleshoot design-related issues during plant operation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in chemical process design and project engineering.
• Proven experience in developing PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment specifications.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, Chemcad) and CAD tools.
• Strong understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals, including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat/mass transfer.
• Experience with process safety analysis techniques (e.g., HAZOP).
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and manage multiple tasks.
• Familiarity with relevant industry codes and standards.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based incentives, comprehensive medical insurance, and retirement planning benefits.
• We invest in our employees' professional development through ongoing training, workshops, and opportunities to attend industry conferences.
• This hybrid role is based in **Stellenbosch, Western Cape**, offering the flexibility to work from both the office and a remote location, fostering a healthy work-life balance.
• Join a company that values innovation and employee growth.