Junior Engineer Petro Chem Industry Experience

Network Recruitment; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Recruitment client seeks a motivated Junior Engineer to join a focused engineering team in the petrochemical and process industries. This early‑career opportunity offers hands‑on exposure to technical studies, design through commissioning, and ongoing plant support.

The role involves working with experienced engineers, production teams and specialists across the full lifecycle, with emphasis on process optimisation, safety and continuous improvement. Pretoria location.

Qualifications

• BSc/BEng in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering required.
• 24 years' engineering experience in petrochemical/processing environment is listed as minimum.
• Exposure to industrial plant operations and engineering projects.
• Experience with PFDs, P&IDs and technical documentation.
• Understanding of process engineering principles and SHE requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ability to interpret drawings.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical engineering support to plant operations and production teams.
• Assist with design, modification and optimisation of process and plant systems.
• Participate in engineering projects, plant modifications and improvement initiatives.
• Assist with preparation/review of PFDs, P&IDs and equipment specifications.
• Collect, analyse and interpret plant data to identify performance improvements.
• Support troubleshooting and root-cause investigations.
• Assist with equipment evaluations, calculations and studies.
• Participate in HAZOP, risk assessments and MOC activities.
• Maintain accurate engineering records and documentation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Excel

Interpret engineering drawings

Team collaboration

Process safety awareness

Education

BSc/BEng in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Aspen HYSYS

Aspen Plus

DCS

PLC

Job description

Our client, a well-established organisation within the petrochemical and process industries , is seeking a motivated Junior Engineer to join their engineering team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career engineer with practical petrochemical, chemical processing, refining or related process-plant experience to develop their technical expertise while contributing to engineering projects, plant optimisation and operational improvement initiatives.

The successful candidate will work closely with experienced engineers, production teams and technical specialists, gaining exposure to the full engineering lifecycle from technical studies and design through implementation, commissioning and ongoing plant support.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical engineering support to plant operations and production teams.


• Assist with the design, modification and optimisation of process and plant systems.


• Participate in engineering projects, plant modifications and improvement initiatives.


• Assist with the preparation and review of PFDs, P&IDs, equipment specifications and engineering documentation.


• Collect, analyse and interpret plant and process data to identify performance and efficiency improvement opportunities.


• Support troubleshooting and root-cause investigations relating to plant and process performance.


• Assist with equipment evaluations, technical calculations and engineering studies.


• Participate in HAZOP, risk assessments, MOC and other process-safety activities.


• Support plant inspections, technical investigations and compliance reviews.


• Assist with commissioning, start-up, shutdown and plant trial activities where required.


• Liaise with production, maintenance, projects, process safety and other engineering disciplines.


• Maintain accurate engineering records, reports, drawings and technical documentation.


• Identify opportunities to improve plant reliability, efficiency, safety and operating costs.


• Ensure engineering activities are performed in accordance with applicable company procedures, standards and SHE requirements.


• Work under the guidance of senior engineers while progressively taking ownership of assigned engineering activities.

Minimum Requirements

• BSc/BEng in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.


• 24 years' engineering experience within a petrochemical, chemical processing, refining, oil & gas or similar process-plant environment.


• Practical exposure to industrial plant operations and engineering projects.


• Understanding of process engineering principles and industrial equipment.


• Experience working with PFDs, P&IDs and technical engineering documentation.


• Exposure to process optimisation, troubleshooting and continuous improvement.


• Good understanding of process safety and SHE requirements.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.


• Ability to interpret technical drawings and engineering documentation.


• Good communication and interpersonal skills.


• Valid driver's licence would be advantageous.

Advantageous Experience

• Exposure to petrochemical refining or chemical manufacturing.


• Process simulation experience, such as Aspen HYSYS/Aspen Plus.


• Experience with HAZOP, HAZID, LOPA or other process-safety methodologies.


• Exposure to DCS, PLC or process-control systems.


• Experience with plant commissioning and start-up.


• Knowledge of rotating/static equipment, heat exchangers, pumps, compressors or process vessels.


• Exposure to Management of Change (MOC) processes.


• Registration with ECSA as a Candidate Engineer or progress toward professional registration.