Junior Production Engineer: Water Treatment & Biogas

Headhunters; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 320,000 - 460,000; Full time

Job summary

Headhunters seeks a Junior Production Engineer for a water-treatment client based in Worcester, Western Cape. The role emphasizes hands-on process optimization and safe operations on a 24/7 site.

You will hold a B.Eng or BTech in Chemical Engineering with 1–3 years of relevant experience and be capable of leading a shift-based Process Controller team while maintaining robust documentation and process calculations.

Qualifications

• B.Eng or BTech in Chemical Engineering.
• 1–3 years working experience in an engineering or production related field would be preferred.
• Experience in anaerobic digestion & biological treatment, RO, MBR, precipitation, clarification is advantageous.
• Ability to compile, control and maintain technical documentation to a high standard of accuracy.
• Willingness to lead a shift-based team of Process Controllers.
• Practical understanding of biogas systems and related safety risks is an advantage.
• Excellent computer skills: Word, Excel, databases, PowerPoint and email.
• Fast learner with minimal supervision and a solution-focused mindset.
• Strong time management and stakeholder relationship skills.
• Willingness to support 24/7 operations, standby/call-out when required.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical process authority on site, providing process and operational expertise.
• Lead and coach the Process Controllers on all process matters.
• Take operational responsibility for plant performance when the Plant Manager is unavailable.
• Monitor plant health and performance to maintain optimum operation.
• Control and optimise anaerobic digestion, including loading rate, temperature, pH, VFA/alkalinity and biogas yield.
• Drive performance against KPIs like water recovery and plant availability.
• Interpret on-site lab results and adjust process set points and dosing.
• Prepare daily performance reports for stakeholders.
• Maintain and verify mass balances, calculations and dosing rates.
• Own and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Fast learner

Shift leadership

Time management

Documentation accuracy

Process calculations

Education

B.Eng or BTech in Chemical Engineering

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Headhunters seeks a Junior Production Engineer for a water-treatment client based in Worcester, Western Cape. The role emphasizes hands-on process optimization and safe operations on a 24/7 site.

You will hold a B.Eng or BTech in Chemical Engineering with 1–3 years of relevant experience and be capable of leading a shift-based Process Controller team while maintaining robust documentation and process calculations.