Lead Chemical Engineer - Process Design

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership bonus potential

Medical benefits

Retirement benefits

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Chemical Engineer in Sandton to oversee process design for new plants and expansions. You will guide a team of engineers, ensuring efficient, safe and cost-effective designs that meet project goals.

The role combines technical leadership with hands-on design activities in a hybrid work setup. The ideal candidate has a Master's in Chemical Engineering and at least 7 years in process design, with expertise in Aspen Plus or HYSYS and CAD tools, plus strong leadership and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 7 years in chemical process design with leadership.
• Experience with process simulation and CAD tools.
• Strong knowledge of unit operations, reaction engineering and thermodynamics.

Responsibilities

• Lead process design for capital projects from concept to detail.
• Develop and review PFDs, P&IDs and mass/energy balances.
• Manage and mentor a team of process engineers.
• Ensure safety, environmental, operational and economic requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Process design

Team mentoring

Education

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

CAD tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Lead Chemical Engineer specializing in Process Design to join their innovative team in Sandton. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing the conceptualization and detailed design of complex chemical processes for new plants and expansions. You will guide a team of engineers, ensuring that designs are efficient, safe, cost-effective, and meet all project objectives. This is a pivotal position for an experienced design engineer looking to take on greater responsibility and shape the engineering direction of significant capital projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the process design activities for capital projects, from conceptual studies to detailed engineering.
• Develop and review process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and mass/energy balances.
• Manage and mentor a team of process engineers, providing technical guidance and oversight.
• Ensure designs meet safety, environmental, operational, and economic requirements.
• Select and specify key process equipment in collaboration with equipment specialists.
• Liaise with clients, project managers, and other engineering disciplines to ensure project success.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in chemical process design, with proven leadership capabilities.
• Expertise in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS) and CAD tools.
• Strong understanding of unit operations, reaction engineering, and thermodynamics.
• Experience with HAZOP studies and other process safety methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Benefits

• Excellent base salary with leadership bonus potential.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Significant opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Exposure to a variety of challenging and innovative projects.
• Hybrid work environment offering flexibility and work-life balance.