Process Control Engineer - Petrochemical Refining

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

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary and bonuses

Medical and retirement benefits

Professional development and training

Generous annual leave

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 in Randburg, Gauteng, seeks a skilled Process Control Engineer to design, implement, and maintain DCS/PLC-based control strategies, optimizing unit operations at a petrochemical facility.

You will collaborate with process engineers to improve yield, energy efficiency, and product quality while ensuring safety and thorough documentation. A 5+ year background in petrochemical process control and knowledge of APC concepts are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Electrical, or Computer Engineering.
• 5+ years in process control engineering in petrochemical/refining/chemical industries.
• Experience with DCS (Honeywell Experion, Emerson DeltaV) and PLC/SCADA.
• Knowledge of APC concepts (e.g., model predictive control).
• Strong understanding of process dynamics and control theory.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Randburg, Gauteng.

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and commission APC and BRC systems.
• Develop and maintain control strategies to improve yield, energy efficiency, and product quality.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to process control hardware and software.
• Perform control loop tuning and optimization for stable plant operations.
• Collaborate with process engineers and operations to identify improvements.
• Maintain technical documentation including P&IDs, narratives, and diagrams.
• Implement and manage alarm management to reduce operator overload and enhance safety.
• Stay updated on new automation technologies and recommend adoption.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and company policies.
• Provide training and support to operators and maintenance staff.

Skills

Process control engineering

DCS/SCADA experience

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering

Tools

Honeywell Experion

Emerson DeltaV

PLCs

SCADA

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the petrochemical refining industry, is seeking a skilled Process Control Engineer to enhance operational efficiency and safety at their facility in **Randburg**, **Gauteng**. This critical role involves the design, implementation, and maintenance of advanced process control systems to optimize production units, ensure stable operations, and minimize variability. The engineer will work with distributed control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and advanced process control (APC) strategies. This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer with expertise in automation and control to contribute to a leading industrial operation in **Randburg**.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and commission advanced process control (APC) and basic regulatory control (BRC) systems.
• Develop and maintain control strategies for various refining processes to improve yield, energy efficiency, and product quality.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to process control hardware and software.
• Perform control loop tuning and optimization to ensure stable and responsive plant operations.
• Collaborate with process engineers and operations personnel to identify control system improvement opportunities.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including P&IDs, control narratives, and system architecture diagrams.
• Implement and manage alarm management systems to reduce operator overload and improve safety.
• Stay abreast of new technologies in process automation and control, recommending their adoption where appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and company policies related to process control systems.
• Provide training and technical support to control room operators and maintenance technicians.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in process control engineering, preferably in the petrochemical, refining, or chemical industries.
• Proficiency with Distributed Control Systems (DCS), such as Honeywell Experion, Emerson DeltaV, or similar.
• Experience with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and SCADA systems.
• Knowledge of Advanced Process Control (APC) concepts and tools (e.g., model predictive control).
• Strong understanding of process dynamics and control theory.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Experience working with instrumentation and field devices.
• Familiarity with safety instrumented systems (SIS) is a plus.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to **Randburg**, **Gauteng**.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and potential for performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications.
• Generous annual leave and company holidays.
• Work in a state-of-the-art facility with advanced automation technology.
• Career advancement opportunities within a global organization.
• A stimulating work environment in **Randburg**.
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.