Remote Process Control Engineer - Chemical Manufacturing

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plans

Paid time off

Online training / certification

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Process Control Engineer in South Africa to design, implement and maintain advanced process control strategies for chemical plants. You will work with on-site teams remotely to ensure safe, efficient operations from a home office.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Chemical or Electrical Engineering and at least 6 years of experience with DCS (Honeywell Experion, Emerson DeltaV, Yokogawa Centum), PLC programming (Siemens, Rockwell), and SCADA systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum of 6 years in process control engineering within chemical/petrochemical or related industries.
• Strong knowledge of DCS/PLC/SCADA; PID tuning and advanced control strategies.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement robust process control systems (DCS/PLC/SCADA) for chemical plants.
• Tune APC loops to optimize temperature, pressure, flow and level.
• Maintain process control documentation (P&IDs, logic diagrams, narratives).
• Collaborate remotely with plant engineers, operations personnel, and IT support.
• Perform root cause analysis of control system failures and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and execute test plans for new control systems and software updates.
• Stay updated on process control tech and recommend improvements.
• Provide remote training and support to site personnel on best practices.
• Participate in PHAs and ensure control design meets safety requirements.

Skills

DCS experience

PLC programming

SCADA systems

Control theory

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Honeywell Experion

Emerson DeltaV

Yokogawa Centum

Siemens PLC

Allen-Bradley Rockwell

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in specialty chemicals, is looking for a highly skilled Remote Process Control Engineer to join their innovative team. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere within South Africa. You will be instrumental in designing, implementing, and maintaining advanced process control strategies for our diverse chemical manufacturing operations. This role demands a proactive approach, exceptional analytical skills, and a deep understanding of automation and control systems in a chemical engineering context. You will work closely with on-site engineering and operations teams to ensure optimal process performance, enhance safety, and drive efficiency across multiple facilities. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your skills in a flexible, remote-first environment while making a significant impact on our industrial processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement robust process control systems, including DCS, PLC, and SCADA systems, for chemical plants.
• Configure, tune, and troubleshoot advanced process control (APC) loops to optimize process variables like temperature, pressure, flow, and level.
• Develop and maintain process control documentation, including P&IDs, logic diagrams, and control narratives.
• Collaborate remotely with plant engineers, operations personnel, and IT support to ensure seamless integration and reliable performance of control systems.
• Conduct root cause analysis for control system failures and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Develop and execute test plans for new control system implementations and software updates.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in process control technology and automation, and recommend improvements.
• Provide remote technical support and training to site personnel on process control best practices.
• Participate in process hazard analyses (PHAs) and ensure control system design meets all safety requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in process control engineering within the chemical, petrochemical, or a related process industry.
• Proven expertise with Distributed Control Systems (DCS) like Honeywell Experion, Emerson DeltaV, or Yokogawa Centum.
• Strong programming skills in PLC platforms (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell) and experience with SCADA systems.
• In-depth understanding of control theory, PID tuning, and advanced control strategies.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information effectively to a remote audience.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision in a remote setting.
• Must have a reliable internet connection and a dedicated home office setup.
• Must be legally eligible to work remotely in South Africa.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary range for this fully remote position, commensurate with experience and expertise. We provide comprehensive health insurance, retirement savings plans, and generous paid time off. The opportunity for professional development, including access to online training and certification programs, is a key part of our employee growth strategy. This role allows for significant flexibility in work location within South Africa, fostering a healthy work-life balance.