Process Optimization Engineer - Petrochem, East London

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Annual bonus

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Process Optimization Engineer for our East London, South Africa location. You will analyze process data, identify bottlenecks, and implement data-driven improvements to enhance yields, energy efficiency, and waste reduction.

You will develop APC strategies, model operations with Aspen Plus/HYSYS/UniSim, and mentor junior engineers while ensuring safety and environmental compliance.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 7+ years of experience in process engineering within petrochemical or oil & gas, focusing on process optimization.
• Proven ability to analyze complex process data and implement data-driven improvements.
• Expertise with process simulation and modeling tools (Aspen Plus, HYSYS, UniSim).
• Knowledge of advanced process control (APC) strategies and implementation.
• Familiarity with petrochemical unit operations and their interdependencies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and quantitative skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Analyze process data from petrochemical units to identify performance opportunities.
• Develop and implement advanced process control strategies to improve stability and efficiency.
• Use process simulation software to model and optimize plant operations.
• Conduct root cause analysis for inefficiencies, equipment failures, and quality deviations.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to implement modifications and improvements.
• Monitor KPIs and report on process performance trends.
• Develop and execute plant trials to test optimization strategies.
• Ensure optimization activities comply with safety, environmental, and operational standards.
• Stay current with advancements in process optimization and petrochemical engineering.
• Mentor junior engineers on analysis and optimization techniques.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Process optimization

Data analysis

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

UniSim

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Process Optimization Engineer for our East London, South Africa location. You will analyze process data, identify bottlenecks, and implement data-driven improvements to enhance yields, energy efficiency, and waste reduction.

You will develop APC strategies, model operations with Aspen Plus/HYSYS/UniSim, and mentor junior engineers while ensuring safety and environmental compliance.