Senior Chemical Plant Operations Engineer

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier salary

Executive health benefits

Retirement plan with employer match

Career development opportunities

Professional training support

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Chemical Plant Operations Engineer to provide technical leadership at their Upington facility. You will oversee multiple chemical processing units, drive process improvements, manage capital projects, and mentor a team of engineers and technicians. A strong background in process safety and optimization is required.

You will guide operations, troubleshoot complex issues, and collaborate with stakeholders to enhance safety, reliability and efficiency across the plant.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of chemical plant operations experience with 5+ years in a senior or supervisory role.
• Extensive experience with process control, optimization, troubleshooting, and PSM.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of multiple chemical processing units and drive improvements.
• Lead troubleshooting for complex operational issues with rapid resolution.
• Develop strategies for safety, reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Manage capital projects for plant upgrades and new equipment installations.
• Ensure adherence to EHS regulations and company policies.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to staff.

Skills

Process control systems

PSM principles

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Education

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Chemical Plant Operations Engineer to provide critical technical leadership at their facility in Upington . This role is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of our chemical production units. You will oversee major operational challenges, drive process improvements, manage capital expenditure projects related to operations, and mentor a team of engineers and technicians. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in complex chemical plant operations, strong problem-solving capabilities, and a deep understanding of process safety and optimization techniques. This is a senior position with significant impact on plant performance and strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize the daily operations of multiple chemical processing units .
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex operational issues, ensuring rapid and effective resolution.
• Develop and implement strategies for continuous improvement in safety, reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Manage capital projects related to plant upgrades, expansions, and new equipment installations.
• Ensure strict adherence to all environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations and company policies.
• Mentor and develop junior operations engineers and provide technical guidance to operational staff.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in chemical plant operations, with at least 5 years in a senior engineering or supervisory role.
• Extensive experience with process control systems , optimization techniques, and troubleshooting methodologies.
• Proven expertise in process safety management (PSM) principles and their application.
• Strong project management skills with experience managing budgets and timelines.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills to effectively manage teams and stakeholders.

Benefits

• Top-tier salary and comprehensive annual bonus structure.
• Executive-level health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and leadership development.
• Support for professional training and advanced certifications.
• A challenging and rewarding work environment with high levels of responsibility.