Junior Chemical Engineer - Process Development

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; On-site; ZAR 250,000 - 380,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Structured training programs

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Mahikeng, North West, is seeking a Junior Chemical Engineer to join its Process Development team. This role offers hands-on experience from lab-scale experiments to pilot plant trials and scale-up, under the guidance of senior engineers.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering and are recent graduates or have up to 3 years in process development or R&D, with strong fundamentals, analytical skills, and a proactive attitude.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Recent graduate or up to 3 years of experience in a chemical engineering role, preferably in process development or R&D.
• Strong theoretical understanding of chemical engineering principles.
• Basic knowledge of process simulation and data analysis software is a plus.
• Good laboratory skills and experience with experimental procedures.
• Analytical and problem-solving aptitude.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• A proactive attitude and eagerness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Assist senior engineers in the design and execution of laboratory experiments and pilot plant studies.
• Collect and analyze process data, preparing reports on experimental results.
• Support the scale-up of chemical processes from laboratory to pilot and commercial scale.
• Conduct literature reviews and research on new chemical processes and technologies.
• Assist in troubleshooting process issues and identifying areas for improvement.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and contribute to process documentation.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures and environmental regulations.
• Operate and maintain laboratory and pilot plant equipment.
• Collaborate effectively with team members and other departments.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Process simulation software

Data analysis software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a growing manufacturer of specialty chemicals, is looking for an enthusiastic Junior Chemical Engineer to join their Process Development team in Mahikeng, North West. This role provides an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career engineer to gain hands-on experience in developing and optimizing chemical processes. You will work under the guidance of senior engineers on projects ranging from lab-scale experimentation to pilot plant trials and process scale-up. The ideal candidate will possess a strong academic background in chemical engineering, a keen interest in process innovation, and good analytical and problem-solving skills. This is a fantastic starting point for a career in chemical process development within a supportive and growing company.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist senior engineers in the design and execution of laboratory experiments and pilot plant studies.
• Collect and analyze process data, preparing reports on experimental results.
• Support the scale-up of chemical processes from laboratory to pilot and commercial scale.
• Conduct literature reviews and research on new chemical processes and technologies.
• Assist in troubleshooting process issues and identifying areas for improvement.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and contribute to process documentation.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures and environmental regulations.
• Operate and maintain laboratory and pilot plant equipment.
• Collaborate effectively with team members and other departments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Recent graduate or up to 3 years of experience in a chemical engineering role, preferably in process development or R&D.
• Strong theoretical understanding of chemical engineering principles.
• Basic knowledge of process simulation and data analysis software is a plus.
• Good laboratory skills and experience with experimental procedures.
• Analytical and problem-solving aptitude.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• A proactive attitude and eagerness to learn.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive entry-level salary, comprehensive medical aid, and retirement fund benefits.
• We provide structured training programs, mentorship from experienced engineers, and opportunities for career advancement within the company.
• The role is based in Mahikeng, North West, offering a stable work environment and the chance to grow with a developing organization.