Principal Chemical Engineer - Lead Plant Safety

Placements24; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Annual bonus

Medical and retirement benefits

Professional development

Wellness programs

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Chemical Engineer in Randburg to oversee safe, efficient, and reliable operation of complex chemical processing units. You will provide expert technical leadership, drive process improvement, troubleshoot advanced issues, and mentor a team of engineers.

This senior role requires a deep understanding of large-scale chemical manufacturing, with focus on operational excellence, plant performance, and compliance with EHS regulations.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in chemical plant operations.
• 5+ years in a senior or principal engineer role.
• Deep expertise in process safety principles (HAZOP, LOPA, SIL).
• Experience with MOC and RCA processes.
• Legally authorized to work in South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical leadership for plant operations and process optimization.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex operational problems affecting plant performance, yield, and product quality.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for significant incidents and implement preventive measures.
• Develop and execute strategies for continuous improvement in efficiency, energy use, and waste reduction.
• Oversee process safety management activities, including hazard identification and risk assessment.
• Collaborate with maintenance and reliability teams to ensure equipment integrity and minimize downtime.
• Review and approve process design modifications and MOC procedures.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level chemical engineers, fostering technical excellence.
• Prepare and present technical reports, operational reviews, and capital expenditure proposals.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Process safety

Troubleshooting

Communication

Mentoring

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen HYSYS

MATLAB

Data analysis software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Chemical Engineer in Randburg to oversee safe, efficient, and reliable operation of complex chemical processing units. You will provide expert technical leadership, drive process improvement, troubleshoot advanced issues, and mentor a team of engineers.

This senior role requires a deep understanding of large-scale chemical manufacturing, with focus on operational excellence, plant performance, and compliance with EHS regulations.