Principal Process Engineer - Hydrometallurgy

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 2,000,000 - 3,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Medical aid

Retirement savings

Life assurance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Process Engineer specializing in hydrometallurgy to lead design, optimization, and troubleshooting of complex metal recovery processes at its Vereeniging facility.

You will mentor engineers, collab with R&D, and drive scale-up from pilot to commercialization while ensuring SHE compliance and sustainable practices. A senior track record in leaching, SX/EW, and crystallization is required.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgy with Hydrometallurgy specialization.
• At least 10 years in process engineering; 5+ years in hydrometallurgical operations/design.
• Expertise in process simulation tools (Aspen Plus, HSC Chemistry, METSIM).

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and optimization of hydrometallurgical processes (leaching, SX/EW, precipitation, crystallization).
• Conduct process modeling and simulation to evaluate performance and optimize parameters.
• Troubleshoot operational issues in hydrometallurgical plants with robust, cost-effective solutions.
• Develop PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment specs.
• Oversee pilot plant testing and data analysis for scale-up and commercialization.
• Ensure SHE compliance and best practices across sites.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers.
• Prepare detailed reports, feasibility studies, and project proposals.
• Collaborate with R&D, operations, and project management for delivery.

Skills

Hydrometallurgy

Process modeling

Leadership

Problem solving

Project management

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgy with Hydrometallurgy specialization

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

METSIM

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Principal Process Engineer specializing in Hydrometallurgy to join their advanced processing facility in **Vereeniging, Gauteng**. This senior role is critical for the design, optimization, and troubleshooting of complex hydrometallurgical circuits for the recovery of various metals. You will provide expert technical leadership, mentor a team of engineers, and collaborate with R&D to implement innovative processing solutions. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead high-impact projects in a key industrial hub, ensuring efficient and sustainable metal extraction. The ideal candidate will possess deep knowledge of leaching, solvent extraction, electrowinning, precipitation, and other related hydrometallurgical unit processes, with a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of hydrometallurgical processes, including leaching, solid-liquid separation, SX/EW, precipitation, and crystallization.
• Conduct process modeling and simulation (e.g., using Aspen Plus, HYSYS) to evaluate process performance, identify bottlenecks, and optimize operating parameters.
• Troubleshoot complex operational issues in hydrometallurgical plants, providing robust and cost-effective solutions.
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and equipment specifications.
• Oversee pilot plant testing and data analysis to support process scale-up and commercialization.
• Ensure adherence to all safety, health, and environmental (SHE) regulations and best practices.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and plant personnel.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, feasibility studies, and project proposals.
• Collaborate with R&D, operations, and project management teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Stay abreast of new technologies and innovations in hydrometallurgy.

Requirements

• A Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgy with a strong specialization in Hydrometallurgy.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in process engineering, with at least 5 years focused specifically on hydrometallurgical operations and design.
• Demonstrated expertise in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HSC Chemistry, METSIM).
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, kinetics, and mass transfer relevant to hydrometallurgical processes.
• Proven experience in troubleshooting and optimizing industrial-scale hydrometallurgical plants.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Registered Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) or equivalent is highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive remuneration package, including significant performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive benefits plan covering medical aid, retirement savings, and life assurance. This position is based on-site at our key facility in Vereeniging, Gauteng, providing a challenging and rewarding work environment. We are committed to employee development, offering extensive opportunities for professional growth, training, and career advancement. Join a leading industrial entity and contribute to state-of-the-art metal processing operations.