Junior Production Engineer - Worcester

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

Our client in water treatment is seeking to employ a Junior Production Engineer to join their team based in Worcester, Western Cape.

Exciting Opportunity:

Join a dynamic and forward-thinking team where your skills will make an immediate impact and your career can thrive.

Requirements:

• B.Eng or BTech in Chemical Engineering.
• 1 - 3 years working experience in an engineering or production related field would be preferred.
• 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.
• Computer skills: Word, Excel, data base, power point and e-mail literacy.
• Be a fast learner and able to work with little supervision.
• 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 and work under pressure.
• Valid code B drivers' licence and own reliable transport.
• Willingness to support a continuous 24/7 operation, including standby / call-out when required.
• Residing in or willing to relocate to the Worcester area.

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, 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).
• 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, including organic loading rate, temperature, pH, VFA / alkalinity and 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.
• Compile, verify and maintain process calculations, 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 optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives from identification and motivation through to implementation and verification of the benefit realised.
• Act as custodian of engineering and process documentation, including process flow diagrams, P&IDs, equipment lists, datasheets, design documents, control philosophies and technical registers, ensuring all are current, controlled and correctly filed.
• Track chemical consumption, manage chemical stock levels and monitor the cost of treatment, optimising where possible.
• Collaborate with the Maintenance Manager and Plant Manager for planned downtime, ensuring the process is placed in the required state for maintenance and returned to service efficiently.
• Provide process input into the expansion and improvement of process units and lead the onsite implementation of process changes.
• Support the standardisation of plant data and automation on site, and the roll-out of digital support and remote monitoring.
• 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 client SHE requirements.
• Client communication, interaction and management, including attendance of meetings.