Junior Process Engineer

Buckman; Durban; On-site; ZAR 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Buckman is seeking a Junior Process Engineer for its Hammarsdale site to support safe, reliable and efficient manufacturing operations. You will work under the Process Safety Engineer to maintain process safety governance and drive improvement across the site.

The role focuses on technical process engineering support, project involvement from concept to commissioning, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to enhance safety, quality and productivity within a global manufacturing

Qualifications

• BSc or BEng in Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
• 2-3 years in manufacturing/ process engineering environment preferred.
• Exposure to process safety management systems is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support Safety, Health, Environment and Process Safety Management programmes.
• Participate in MOC, PHA, LOPA and incident investigations.
• Maintain engineering documentation including P&IDs, SOPs, BOPs and Process Safety Information.
• Monitor manufacturing performance and identify opportunities for process optimisation.
• Provide technical support during production, start-ups, shutdowns and trials.
• Support engineering projects from concept through implementation and commissioning.
• Assist with automation and DCS improvement initiatives.
• Conduct gap analyses, verifications and compliance reviews.
• Coordinate action items across engineering, process safety and improvements.
• Prepare technical reports, studies, dashboards and performance metrics.
• Support continuous improvement focused on safety, quality, productivity and excellence.
• Assist with training and engineering competency development.

Skills

Analytical skills

Root cause analysis

Process safety knowledge

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Data analysis

Process control understanding

Documentation and reporting

Education

BSc in Chemical Engineering

BEng in Chemical Engineering

Job description

Description

JUNIOR PROCESS ENGINEER

MANUFACTURING DEPARTMENT

Location: Hammarsdale, KZN, South Africa

Language(s) Requirements: English

Seniority Level: Junior Level

Employment Type: Full-Time

A Junior Process Engineer position has become available at an international chemical manufacturing company, based in Hammarsdale. The position offers an excellent opportunity for a developing engineer to gain practical experience within a dynamic manufacturing environment while supporting process safety, operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.

The purpose of the role is to provide technical process engineering support that enables safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable manufacturing operations. Working under the guidance of the Process Safety Engineer, the incumbent will support the maintenance of technical integrity, process safety compliance, engineering governance and manufacturing performance while contributing to engineering projects, process optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives across the site.

Qualifications

• BSc in Chemical Engineering or BEng in Chemical Engineering or equivalent

Experience

• 2-3 years' experience in a manufacturing, process engineering or chemical processing environment.
• Exposure to process safety management systems, engineering projects, process optimisation or manufacturing support activities will be advantageous.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Supporting Safety, Health, Environment and Process Safety Management programmes.
• Participating in Management of Change (MOC), Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) and incident investigation activities.
• Maintaining engineering documentation including P&IDs, SOPs, BOPs, work instructions and Process Safety Information.
• Monitoring manufacturing performance and identifying opportunities for process optimisation and improved plant reliability.
• Providing technical support during routine production, start-ups, shutdowns and process trials.
• Supporting engineering projects from concept through implementation and commissioning.
• Assisting with automation, process control and Distributed Control System (DCS) improvement initiatives.
• Conducting engineering gap analyses, plant verifications and compliance reviews.
• Coordinating engineering, process safety and improvement action items to closure.
• Preparing technical reports, engineering studies, dashboards and performance metrics.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity and operational excellence.
• Assisting with training, knowledge management and engineering competency development activities.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Required

• Strong understanding of chemical engineering principles and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to analyse process data and troubleshoot operational, quality and process safety issues.
• Working knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM) principles and risk management methodologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering documentation including P&IDs, PFDs and technical specifications.
• Knowledge of process control, instrumentation and Distributed Control Systems (DCS).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to prepare technical reports and present findings effectively.
• Strong planning, organisational and project coordination skills.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams and communicate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Knowledge of SHE legislation, engineering standards and regulatory requirements will be advantageous.

The successful candidate will demonstrate initiative, attention to detail and a strong commitment to safety and continuous improvement. They will be a motivated self-starter with sound analytical abilities, strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to learn and develop within a challenging manufacturing environment. The role offers excellent opportunities for professional development within a global manufacturing environment.

Equity Statement

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace when recruiting internally and externally. It is company policy to promote from within wherever possible. Therefore, please be aware that internal candidates will be considered first before reviewing external applicants, provided that this supports achievement of our Employment Equity goals.

Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be shortlisted. If you have not been contacted within 3 months of the closing date of the advertisement, please consider yourself unsuccessful.

CLOSING DATE: 18 September 2026