Junior Production Engineer

Bilnor Staffing Solutions; Worcester; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Bilnor Staffing Solutions seeks a Process Engineer to act as the technical process authority on site in Worcester. You will lead the Process Controllers, ensure safe and efficient plant operations, and maintain process documentation including P&IDs and design records.

Key tasks include performing mass balances, developing optimisation opportunities, interpreting lab data, and driving continuous improvement with Maintenance and Plant Management to keep the anaerobic digestion process running at

Qualifications

• B.Eng or BTech in Chemical Engineering
• 1–3 years working experience in an engineering or production related field would be preferred
• Proficient with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email tools
• Experience in Anaerobic Digestion & Biological treatment is advantageous
• Ability to interpret process calculations and mass balances and translate plant data into corrective actions
• Ability to lead a shift-based team of Process Controllers

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical process authority on site and provide process and operational expertise
• Lead, guide and develop the Process Controllers on all process matters
• Take operational responsibility for plant performance and wellbeing when the Plant Manager is off site
• Maintain process documentation including P&IDs, flow diagrams and design documents
• Compile and maintain process calculations and mass balances
• Develop and interpret mass balances to identify losses and optimisation opportunities
• Own and drive optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives
• Monitor plant health and take action to keep operations optimal
• Interpret on-site lab results and adjust process set points accordingly
• Distribute daily operation reports to stakeholders
• Track chemical consumption and manage stock levels
• Collaborate with maintenance and plant managers for safe downtime and maintenance
• Provide input into expansion and improvement of process units
• Lead onsite implementation of process changes
• Support standardisation of plant data and digital monitoring
• Compile Standard Operating Procedures as required
• Adhere to incident protocols and corrective/preventative actions
• Ensure compliance with SHE requirements and client communications

Skills

Biogas systems knowledge

Shift leadership

Process calculations

Mass balances

Stakeholder management

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Email literacy

Database

Job description

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as the technical process authority on site, providing process and operational expertise to the plant team.
• Lead, guide and develop the Process Controllers on all process matters, including work allocation on process tasks, technical coaching, training and verification of process decisions taken on shift
• Take operational responsibility for plant performance and wellbeing when the Plant Manager is off site or unavailable, whilst ensuring safe and efficient operations of the plant(s).
• Act as custodian of all engineering and process documentation for the site, including process flow diagrams, P&IDs, equipment lists, datasheets, design documents, control philosophies and technical registers, and ensure all are current, controlled and correctly filed.
• Compile, verify and maintain all process calculations for the works, including hydraulic and organic loading, retention times, dosing rates, flux and recovery calculations, and biogas yield calculations.
• Develop, maintain and interpret mass balances to identify losses, inefficiencies and optimisation opportunities.
• Own, drive and report on all optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives for the site, from identification and motivation through to implementation and verification of the benefit realised.
• Monitor and evaluate plant health and performance and take appropriate action to keep the plant operating at optimum performance.
• Monitor, control and optimise the anaerobic digestion process (organic loading rate, temperature, pH, VFA / alkalinity, biogas yield) and act on all deviations.
• Drive plant performance against the contractual KPI's, including water recovery, biogas production, plant availability and utilisation.
• Interpret daily on-site laboratory results and effluent quality trends, and adjust process set points and dosing regimes accordingly.
• Compile and distribute daily plant operational performance reports to internal and external stakeholders.
• Track chemical consumption, manage chemical stock levels and monitor the cost of treatment, optimising where possible.
• Collaborate effectively with the Maintenance Manager and Plant Manager for planned downtime, ensuring the process is placed in the required state for maintenance to be carried out safely and returned to service efficiently.
• Provide process input into the expansion and improvement of process units.
• Lead the onsite implementation of process changes.
• Support the standardisation of plant data and automation on site, and the roll-out of the digital support and remote monitoring package.
• Compile Standard Operating Procedures where required.
• Adhere to Incident Notification protocols and management of Incidents / NCR's, and follow through on corrective / preventative actions.
• Ensure PTO's, SWP's and Task Risk Assessments are in place, communicated and conducted as per schedule / procedural requirements.
• Comply at all times with all company and client SHE requirements.
• Client communication, interaction and management, including attendance of meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Qualifications: B.Eng or BTech in Chemical Engineering
• 1 - 3 years working experience in an engineering or production related field would be preferred
• Computer skills: Word, Excel, data base, power point and e-mail literacy
• Preferably experienced in Anaerobic Digestion & Biological treatment, RO, MBR, Precipitation, Clarification; relevant experience will be an advantage
• Sound ability to perform and interpret process calculations and mass balances, and to translate plant data into corrective and optimisation action
• Ability to compile, control and maintain technical and engineering documentation to a high standard of accuracy
• Willingness and ability to lead, guide and develop a shift-based team of Process Controllers
• Practical understanding of biogas systems and the associated process and safety risks will be an advantage
• Be a fast learner and able to work with little supervision
• In possession of valid code B drivers' licence and have own reliable transport
• Solution and improvement focused
• Effective time management skills with a sense of urgency
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with stakeholders
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to work under pressure
• Willingness to support a continuous 24/7 operation, including standby / call-out when required
• Residing in or willing to relocate to the Worcester area