Head of Chemical Engineering — Sustainable Processes

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,600,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an accomplished Lead Chemical Engineer to spearhead innovative projects at a state-of-the-art facility in Cape Town, Western Cape. You will guide a team of engineers, overseeing from concept to commissioning, while ensuring safety and efficiency across all processes.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in Chemical Engineering with 8+ years of progressive experience, including 3+ years in leadership.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering or a closely related field.
• At least 8 years of progressive experience in chemical engineering, with a minimum of 3 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, including scope, budget, and schedule control.
• Expertise in process simulation, P&ID development, and equipment selection.
• In-depth knowledge of chemical plant operations and safety management systems.
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to foster a collaborative and high-performance team culture.
• Experience with process hazard analysis (PHA) techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of chemical engineers and technicians.
• Oversee the design, development, and implementation of complex chemical processes.
• Manage all phases of project lifecycle, from conceptual design to plant commissioning.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Develop and manage project budgets and timelines effectively.
• Conduct root cause analysis for process deviations and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with R&D teams to translate new technologies into scalable processes.
• Prepare and present technical reports and proposals to senior management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the chemical engineering department.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Decision making

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

PhD in Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

Process simulation

P&ID development

Equipment selection

Process hazard analysis

Industry software & design tools

Safety management systems

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an accomplished Lead Chemical Engineer to spearhead innovative projects at a state-of-the-art facility in Cape Town, Western Cape. You will guide a team of engineers, overseeing from concept to commissioning, while ensuring safety and efficiency across all processes.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in Chemical Engineering with 8+ years of progressive experience, including 3+ years in leadership.