Chemical Process Engineer - Industrial Chemicals

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Career advancement opportunities

Professional development support

Relocation assistance may be offered

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a skilled Chemical Process Engineer to join its Richards Bay technical division in KwaZulu-Natal. The role focuses on optimizing existing processes, developing new manufacturing methods, and ensuring safety, efficiency and sustainability across production operations.

You will apply reaction engineering, thermodynamics and process control to improve yield, reduce costs and environmental impact, collaborating with R&D, production and maintenance on actionable process

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in chemical process engineering.
• Strong knowledge of reaction engineering, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and mass transfer.
• Experience with process simulation software (Aspen HYSYS, ChemCAD) is desirable.
• Familiarity with process safety management (PSM) and hazard analysis (HAZOP).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Strong teamwork and ability to communicate technical information clearly.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and optimize existing chemical processes to improve yield and energy efficiency.
• Design, develop, and scale-up new chemical processes and production methods.
• Conduct pilot plant studies and interpret data to validate designs.
• Develop PFDs and P&IDs.
• Perform process simulations and modeling to predict performance.
• Troubleshoot deviations and implement corrective actions to maintain quality and stability.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with R&D, production, and maintenance to implement improvements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Communication of technical information

Attention to detail

Process safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen HYSYS

ChemCAD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the industrial chemicals manufacturing sector, is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Chemical Process Engineer to join their esteemed technical division. This dynamic role is based in the industrial hub of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. The primary focus will be on optimizing existing chemical processes, developing new manufacturing techniques, and ensuring the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of production operations. The ideal candidate will possess a robust understanding of chemical engineering principles, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and process control. You will be instrumental in driving process improvements that enhance product quality, reduce operational costs, and minimize environmental impact. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a company at the forefront of chemical innovation and production excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze and optimize existing chemical manufacturing processes to improve yield, reduce waste, and enhance energy efficiency.
• Design, develop, and scale-up new chemical processes and production methods.
• Conduct pilot plant studies and interpret data to validate process designs.
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs) and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).
• Perform process simulations and modeling using specialized software to predict and improve performance.
• Troubleshoot process deviations and implement corrective actions to maintain operational stability and product quality.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with R&D, production, and maintenance teams to implement process improvements and new technologies.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in chemical process engineering within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and mass transfer.
• Experience with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen HYSYS, ChemCAD) is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of process safety management (PSM) principles and hazard analysis (HAZOP).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and communicate technical information clearly.
• Experience in industrial chemical production is a significant advantage.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities for career advancement within a growing industry leader.
• Exposure to diverse and challenging process engineering projects.
• Support for professional development and further education.
• A safe and stimulating work environment focused on innovation.
• Relocation assistance may be considered for exceptional candidates.