Process Design Engineer - Chemical Industry

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Life insurance

Disability coverage

International training

Pension fund

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Process Design Engineer to join its Richards Bay team. The role focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing chemical processes and equipment, ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance on large-scale projects.

You will apply P&ID and process flow knowledge, run simulations, and coordinate with procurement and construction to deliver integrated plant solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering with process design experience.
• 8+ years in process design for chemical/petrochemical sectors.
• Proficient in Aspen Plus or HYSYS and CAD tools.

Responsibilities

• Design P&IDs and process flow diagrams for chemical plants.
• Specify mechanical equipment: pumps, heat exchangers, reactors, separators.
• Run process simulations and thermodynamic calculations to optimise plant performance.
• Ensure designs meet ASME/API standards and safety regulations.
• Collaborate with procurement and construction during fabrication and installation.
• Lead safety reviews, including HAZOP, to identify process hazards.

Skills

Process design

P&ID design

Process simulation

CAD tools

Thermodynamics

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

CAD software

Job description

About the Role

Our client seeks a specialized Process Design Engineer with a strong mechanical aptitude to join their team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This role is critical in designing, developing, and optimizing chemical processes and equipment. You will be responsible for ensuring that all mechanical aspects of the process design adhere to safety, efficiency, and environmental regulations. This position offers a chance to work on large-scale industrial projects in a key economic hub, contributing to the operational success of a leading player in the chemical sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams) and process flow diagrams for chemical plants.
• Specify mechanical equipment such as pumps, heat exchangers, reactors, and separation units.
• Conduct process simulations and thermodynamic calculations to optimize plant performance.
• Ensure all designs comply with relevant industry codes, standards (e.g., ASME, API), and safety regulations.
• Collaborate with procurement and construction teams during the equipment fabrication and plant installation phases.
• Perform safety reviews, including HAZOP studies, to identify and mitigate process hazards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering with significant process design experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in process design, particularly within the chemical or petrochemical industry.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS) and CAD tools.
• Strong knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and mass transfer principles.
• Experience with mechanical equipment selection and specification for chemical processes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Benefits

• An attractive annual salary and performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive medical aid, life insurance, and disability coverage.
• Generous pension fund contributions.
• Opportunities for international training and professional growth.
• A vital role in major industrial projects located in Richards Bay .