Senior Chemical Engineer - Industrial Chemicals

Placements24; Richards Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary incentives

Medical aid

Provident fund

Leave allowance

Growth opportunities

Collaborative environment

International assignments

Industry exposure

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Chemical Engineer for its Richards Bay operations to drive design, development, and optimization of industrial chemical processes, ensuring safety and environmental compliance.

The role requires leading process innovations, simulations, and PHAs while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from an accredited university.
• 8+ years of relevant process engineering experience in industrial chemicals.
• Strong design, simulation (Aspen Plus, HYSYS), and P&ID development skills.
• Solid knowledge of reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.
• Experience with Process Safety Management (PSM) and HAZOP studies.
• Excellent project management with multitasking ability.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication to work with diverse teams.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng) registration is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and engineering of new chemical processes and modification of existing ones to enhance efficiency, yield, and sustainability.
• Conduct process simulations, feasibility studies, and economic evaluations for proposed projects.
• Develop detailed PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment specifications.
• Oversee PHAs and ensure risk mitigation strategies are implemented.
• Troubleshoot issues, perform root cause analyses, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, R&D, and project management to meet goals.
• Ensure compliance with local and international EHS regulations.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical support to operations teams.
• Manage specific engineering projects to meet deadlines and budgets.

Skills

Process design

Simulation

P&ID development

PSM

HAZOP

Project management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant manufacturer of industrial chemicals, is seeking an accomplished Senior Chemical Engineer to join their team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. This role is essential for driving process innovation, efficiency, and safety across our manufacturing operations. You will be responsible for overseeing the design, development, and optimization of chemical processes, ensuring they meet stringent quality, environmental, and safety standards. The ideal candidate will have a proven history of success in managing complex chemical projects and a deep understanding of industrial chemical production. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a dynamic company and shape the future of chemical manufacturing in the Richards Bay area.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and engineering of new chemical processes and modification of existing ones to enhance efficiency, yield, and sustainability.
• Conduct process simulations, feasibility studies, and economic evaluations for proposed projects.
• Develop detailed process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and equipment specifications.
• Oversee process hazard analyses (PHAs) and ensure implementation of risk mitigation strategies.
• Troubleshoot operational issues, perform root cause analyses, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including operations, maintenance, R&D, and project management, to achieve project goals.
• Ensure compliance with all local and international environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical expertise to support operational teams.
• Manage specific engineering projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from an accredited university.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in process engineering, preferably within the industrial chemicals sector.
• Strong experience in process design, simulation (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS), and P&ID development.
• Solid understanding of chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.
• Proven experience with Process Safety Management (PSM) and conducting HAZOP studies.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to work with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng) is highly advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package including performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive medical aid and provident fund.
• Generous leave allowance and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional growth, training, and career advancement.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Exposure to large-scale industrial chemical production processes.
• Potential for international assignments within the company network.