Senior Chemical Engineer - Refinery Operations

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonuses

Medical insurance

Pension plan

Vacation time

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton, Gauteng is seeking a highly experienced Senior Chemical Engineer to join our operations team. You will oversee refinery process operations, lead troubleshooting, and drive process improvements while ensuring SHE compliance and environmental responsibility.

The role requires strong leadership, deep hydrocarbon processing knowledge, and the ability to mentor junior engineers and technicians in a demanding industrial setting.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in refinery operations and process engineering.
• Proven expertise in hydrocarbon processing including distillation, cracking, reforming and hydrotreating.
• Strong knowledge of process safety management (PSM) principles and practices.
• Experience with process simulation software and data analysis tools.
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with ability to influence stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage complex operational challenges.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and expertise in refinery process operations.
• Optimize unit performance to maximize yield, product quality, and energy efficiency.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for operational issues.
• Develop and implement process improvements and debottlenecking projects.
• Ensure strict adherence to SHE standards and regulations.
• Mentor and coach junior chemical engineers and technicians.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, analyses, and recommendations for management.
• Collaborate with maintenance, reliability, and project teams to ensure seamless operations.
• Participate in MOC processes and PHA reviews.
• Stay current with industry best practices and emerging technologies in refining.

Skills

Leadership

Refinery operations

Process optimization

Troubleshooting

Safety culture

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Process simulation software

Data analysis tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Chemical Engineer to join their operations team in Sandton, Gauteng. This critical role will involve overseeing and optimizing refinery processes, ensuring efficiency, safety, and environmental compliance. You will lead complex troubleshooting efforts, implement process improvements, and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and operational staff. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in refinery operations, a deep understanding of hydrocarbon processing, and strong leadership capabilities. This is a significant opportunity to influence operational strategy and drive performance in a key industrial sector. We are looking for a dedicated professional who thrives in a demanding operational environment and contributes to the success of our Sandton facility. Our commitment is to operational excellence and employee development.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and expertise in refinery process operations.


• Optimize unit performance to maximize yield, product quality, and energy efficiency.


• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for operational issues.


• Develop and implement process improvements and debottlenecking projects.


• Ensure strict adherence to safety, health, and environmental (SHE) standards and regulations.


• Mentor and coach junior chemical engineers and technicians.


• Prepare detailed technical reports, analyses, and recommendations for management.


• Collaborate with maintenance, reliability, and project teams to ensure seamless operations.


• Participate in Management of Change (MOC) processes and PHA reviews.


• Stay current with industry best practices and emerging technologies in refining.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering.


• Minimum of 10 years of experience in refinery operations and process engineering.


• Proven expertise in hydrocarbon processing, including distillation, cracking, reforming, and hydrotreating.


• Strong knowledge of process safety management (PSM) principles and practices.


• Experience with process simulation software and data analysis tools.


• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.


• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage complex operational challenges.


• Familiarity with refinery control systems and instrumentation.


• Professional Engineer (PE) registration is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, excellent annual bonuses, and comprehensive benefits including top-tier medical insurance, a pension plan, and generous vacation time.


• Professional development opportunities are abundant, with extensive training and advancement possibilities.


• The role is based at our advanced facility in Sandton, Gauteng, providing a stimulating and rewarding work environment.