Lead Chemical Plant Operations Engineer (Hybrid)

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 850,000 - 1,150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Health benefits

Hybrid work

Career growth

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Chemical Plant Operations Engineer to enhance plant efficiency and safety in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. You will oversee daily operations, monitor performance, troubleshoot issues, and lead SOP improvements to drive reliability.

You will collaborate with maintenance and technical teams in a hybrid work setup, applying your process engineering expertise and safety knowledge to optimize outcomes and mentor junior staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 4–6 years of experience in chemical plant operations or process engineering.
• Strong knowledge of chemical unit operations and process control.
• Experience troubleshooting complex operational issues.
• Familiarity with safety regulations in chemical plants.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily plant operations, ensuring production targets are met safely and efficiently.
• Monitor process performance and key operating parameters, intervening as necessary.
• Troubleshoot operational problems and implement effective solutions to minimize downtime.
• Develop and refine SOPs to maintain consistency and safety.
• Conduct regular safety reviews and ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
• Collaborate with maintenance teams to schedule and execute preventative maintenance.
• Support process improvement projects and implementation of new technologies.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends and opportunities for optimization.
• Train and mentor junior operations personnel.

Skills

Leadership

Process control

Troubleshooting

DCS knowledge

Safety compliance

Interpersonal skills

Hybrid work adaptability

Education

Bachelors in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Distributed Control Systems (DCS)

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Chemical Plant Operations Engineer to enhance plant efficiency and safety in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. You will oversee daily operations, monitor performance, troubleshoot issues, and lead SOP improvements to drive reliability.

You will collaborate with maintenance and technical teams in a hybrid work setup, applying your process engineering expertise and safety knowledge to optimize outcomes and mentor junior staff.