Junior Chemical Engineer - Manufacturing Support

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 67,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend

Mentorship program

Networking opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Junior Chemical Engineer intern for our East London, SA facility. The role focuses on hands-on manufacturing support, process monitoring, and quality control under guidance from senior engineers and plant operators.

The ideal candidate is a student with strong analytical skills, a solid grounding in chemical engineering fundamentals, and a keen interest in process safety and quality. This internship offers practical industry exposure and professional networking.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering with strong fundamentals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential.
• Good communication and teamwork abilities are required.

Responsibilities

• Assist engineers in monitoring and troubleshooting production processes.
• Support quality control through sampling and basic analysis.
• Help collect data and perform basic analysis for process performance.
• Participate in safety inspections and maintain safety records.
• Contribute to SOPs and batch record documentation.
• Assist to manage inventory of laboratory consumables and process materials.
• Shadow experienced engineers and operators to learn plant operations.
• Attend team meetings and contribute to problem-solving discussions.
• Adhere to company safety and environmental policies.
• Assist with special projects as assigned by the engineering team.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Communication

MS Excel

Laboratory experience

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering (pursuing)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a well-established manufacturer of industrial chemicals, is offering an exciting internship opportunity for a motivated Junior Chemical Engineer at their **East London** facility. This internship is designed to provide hands‑on experience in manufacturing support, process monitoring, and quality control within a dynamic production environment. You will work closely with experienced chemical engineers and plant operators, contributing to daily operations and learning essential industry practices. The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic student eager to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, possess strong analytical skills, and demonstrate a keen interest in chemical manufacturing. This is a prime opportunity to gain invaluable industry exposure in **East London**, build your professional network, and contribute to the operational success of a reputable company. You will have the chance to shadow professionals, participate in problem‑solving sessions, and gain a comprehensive understanding of chemical plant operations. The role requires a proactive, eager‑to‑learn individual committed to safety and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist chemical engineers in monitoring and troubleshooting production processes.
• Support quality control initiatives, including sampling and basic analysis.
• Help in data collection and basic analysis for process performance tracking.
• Participate in safety inspections and assist in maintaining safety records.
• Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and batch records.
• Assist in inventory management of laboratory consumables and process materials.
• Shadow experienced engineers and operators to gain practical knowledge of plant operations.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to problem‑solving discussions.
• Learn and adhere to all company safety and environmental policies.
• Assist with special projects as assigned by the engineering team.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong academic record with a solid understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals.
• Basic knowledge of process operations, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and follow instructions.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to a plant environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel).
• Previous laboratory experience is a plus.
• Must be eligible to work in **South Africa** for the duration of the internship.

Benefits

This internship offers a stipend to cover living expenses, practical experience in a real‑world manufacturing setting, and mentorship from experienced chemical engineers. It's a valuable opportunity to build your resume and gain critical insights into the chemical industry. The internship is based in **East London**, providing exposure to local industrial operations. Interns will benefit from a supportive learning environment, opportunities to network with industry professionals, and the chance to contribute meaningfully to the team's efforts.