Senior Chemical Engineer - Petrochemicals

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Medical aid

Retirement plans

Life insurance

Training programs

Leadership development

Remote work for select tasks

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Chemical Engineer to join its Technical Excellence Division in Centurion, Gauteng. The role focuses on driving process improvements, enhancing reliability, and contributing to downstream projects across petrochemical facilities.

You will lead process analyses, support debottlenecking efforts, and guide engineering teams on safety and environmental compliance, with opportunities to influence major capital projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in petrochemical or refining industries.
• Strong understanding of unit operations (distillation, cracking, reforming, polymerization).
• Experience with process simulations and industry-standard software.
• Expertise in Process Safety Management (PSM).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities, with experience leading technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize continuous and batch chemical processes within petrochemical facilities.
• Conduct in-depth process analysis, troubleshooting, and root cause failure analysis.
• Design, specify, and implement process modifications and new equipment to enhance performance and safety.
• Develop and manage process safety information, including P&IDs, safety procedures, and risk assessments.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and project teams to ensure successful plant turnarounds and debottlenecking projects.
• Lead or participate in PHA studies (HAZOP/LOPA/What-If).
• Develop technical justifications for CAPEX projects related to process upgrades.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership on complex assignments.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.

Skills

Process optimization

Process simulation

PSM (Process Safety Management)

Project management

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Analytical skills

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the petrochemical industry, is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Chemical Engineer to join their technical excellence division based in Centurion, Gauteng . This position is critical for driving process improvements, ensuring operational reliability, and contributing to the strategic development of their downstream operations. The successful candidate will leverage their deep expertise in petrochemical processes to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability. This role offers a significant opportunity to influence major projects and shape the future of our client's operational capabilities in a key economic region of South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize continuous and batch chemical processes within petrochemical facilities.
• Conduct in-depth process analysis, troubleshooting, and root cause failure analysis for operational issues.
• Design, specify, and implement process modifications and new equipment to enhance performance and safety.
• Develop and manage process safety information, including P&IDs, safety procedures, and risk assessments.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and project teams to ensure successful plant turnarounds and debottlenecking projects.
• Lead or participate in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) studies, such as HAZOP, LOPA, and What-If analyses.
• Develop technical justifications for capital expenditure projects related to process upgrades and expansions.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership on complex assignments.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant environmental, health, and safety regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in the petrochemical or refining industry.
• Strong understanding of unit operations common in petrochemical plants (e.g., distillation, cracking, reforming, polymerization).
• Proven ability to perform process simulations and modeling using industry-standard software.
• Expertise in process safety management (PSM) principles and methodologies.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities, with experience leading technical teams.
• Familiarity with industry best practices and standards.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Experience with economic evaluation of process changes and projects.

Benefits

Our client provides a competitive salary commensurate with experience, performance bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package, including excellent medical aid, retirement savings plans, and life insurance. Opportunities for professional growth are abundant, with access to extensive training programs, conferences, and leadership development initiatives. The role is based in the well-connected urban center of Centurion, Gauteng , offering a high quality of life. We embrace a flexible work culture, with the possibility of remote engagement for specific tasks and strategic planning sessions, offering a blend of on-site collaboration and remote work flexibility.