Senior Chemical Engineer - Petrochemical Plant Operations

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Bonus potential

Comprehensive benefits package

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria is seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer to join a leading petrochemical plant. You will oversee safe, efficient operation of complex processes and drive process improvements for safety, yield and environmental compliance.

The role demands hands-on leadership, strong technical acumen in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and unit operations, and experience with Aspen Plus, HYSYS and DCS. Mentoring of junior engineers is part of the remit.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in chemical plant operations or process engineering, preferably in petrochemicals.
• Strong understanding of chemical thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and unit operations.
• Experience with process simulation software (Aspen Plus, HYSYS) and control systems (DCS).
• Proven ability to conduct PHAs and implement safety protocols.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize daily operations of various petrochemical units, ensuring production targets and quality standards.
• Troubleshoot complex process issues, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective actions.
• Lead and participate in PHAs and risk assessments to ensure plant safety.
• Develop and implement process improvement projects to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and lower operating costs.
• Monitor KPIs and provide regular reports on plant performance to management.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to operations personnel.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Mentoring

Education

BSc Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

DCS

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Chemical Engineer to join their leading petrochemical plant in Pretoria . This role is essential for ensuring the safe, efficient, and optimized operation of complex chemical processes. You will play a key part in process improvements, troubleshooting operational issues, and driving initiatives that enhance safety, yield, and environmental compliance. Working within a dedicated operations and engineering team, you will leverage your expertise to solve challenging problems and contribute to the overall success of one of the region's significant industrial facilities. This is a hands-on role demanding strong technical acumen and leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize daily operations of various petrochemical units , ensuring adherence to production targets and quality standards.
• Troubleshoot complex process issues, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective actions.
• Lead and participate in process hazard analyses (PHAs) and risk assessments to ensure plant safety.
• Develop and implement process improvement projects to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and lower operating costs.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide regular reports on plant performance to management.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to operations personnel.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in chemical plant operations or process engineering, preferably in petrochemicals.
• Strong understanding of chemical thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and unit operations.
• Experience with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS) and control systems (DCS).
• Proven ability to conduct Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and implement safety protocols.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Significant bonus potential based on plant performance and individual contribution.
• Opportunities for career advancement within a major industrial group.
• Relocation assistance is available for candidates relocating to Pretoria.
• A robust safety culture and commitment to employee well-being.