Junior Chemical Engineer - Operations Support

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive entry-level salary

Medical and retirement fund

Mentorship program

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an enthusiastic Junior Chemical Engineer to provide essential operational support at client facilities in Paarl. This entry-level role offers hands-on experience in a production environment and the chance to assist senior engineers with process monitoring, data analysis, and troubleshooting.

You will contribute to safety documentation, procedures, and basic process calculations while developing technical and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 0–3 years of experience or internships valued.
• Basic understanding of chemical processes, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
• Familiarity with data analysis and interpretation.
• Eagerness to learn and develop technical and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist senior engineers in monitoring plant performance.
• Collect and analyze process data to support optimization.
• Participate in troubleshooting operational issues and implement solutions.
• Contribute to operating procedures and safety documentation.
• Conduct basic process calculations and assist small-scale design/modifications.
• Support laboratory testing and pilot plant operations as required.

Skills

Data analysis

Thermodynamics

Fluid mechanics

Communication

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an enthusiastic Junior Chemical Engineer to provide essential operational support at their facilities in Paarl . This role is designed for a motivated individual looking to gain hands‑on experience in a production environment, assisting senior engineers with process monitoring, data analysis, and troubleshooting. You will play a key role in ensuring the efficiency and quality of ongoing chemical manufacturing operations. This is an excellent starting point for a recent graduate or early‑career engineer eager to develop their skills and contribute meaningfully to the team.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist senior engineers in monitoring plant performance and identifying deviations from operating parameters.
• Collect and analyze process data to support optimization initiatives and improve efficiency.
• Participate in troubleshooting efforts for operational issues and support the implementation of solutions.
• Contribute to the development and updating of operating procedures and safety documentation.
• Conduct basic process calculations and assist in small-scale design or modification projects.
• Support laboratory testing and pilot plant operations as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering .
• 0-3 years of experience in a chemical engineering role, internships or co‑op experience is highly valued.
• Basic understanding of chemical processes, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
• Familiarity with data analysis and interpretation.
• Eagerness to learn and develop technical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good communication and teamwork abilities.

Benefits

• Competitive entry‑level salary and performance review opportunities.
• Medical and retirement fund contributions.
• Mentorship program with experienced chemical engineers.
• Opportunities for further training and professional development.
• A supportive and encouraging team environment focused on learning and growth.