Senior Chemical Process Engineer - Water Treatment

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Pension fund

Annual leave

Professional development

Hybrid work

Job summary

Placements24 in Paarl, Western Cape seeks an experienced Senior Chemical Process Engineer specializing in water treatment to design, optimize, and troubleshoot chemical processes for industrial water purification, wastewater treatment, and desalination. The role covers process design, performance optimization, and regulatory compliance in a hybrid work setting with on-site requirements.

You will work closely with plant personnel and project teams to deliver sustainable water treatment solutions,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or related environmental science.
• 7+ years of experience in chemical process engineering, with water and wastewater treatment specialization.
• Experience with water treatment technologies including membrane filtration (RO, UF), ion exchange, chemical precipitation, and disinfection.
• Strong knowledge of water chemistry, aqueous process design, and relevant regulations.
• Proficiency with process simulation tools (AquaChem, Aspen Plus) is advantageous.
• Hybrid work environment experience and ability to work with project teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize chemical processes for industrial water treatment, wastewater management, and desalination applications.
• Develop PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment specifications.
• Conduct treatability studies, pilot tests, and performance evaluations of water treatment systems.
• Troubleshoot dosing, coagulation, flocculation, membrane filtration, and disinfection processes.
• Ensure all processes comply with local and international water quality standards and environmental regulations.
• Perform process simulations and modeling to optimize design parameters.
• Collaborate with clients, project managers, and operational staff to deliver water treatment solutions.
• Develop operating procedures, training materials, and provide technical support to plant operators.
• Stay current with advancements in water treatment technologies and sustainable practices.
• Conduct site assessments and audits to ensure optimal plant performance and safety.

Skills

Chemical process design

Water treatment

Troubleshooting

Process simulation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering or related environmental science

Tools

AquaChem

Aspen Plus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in industrial water solutions, is seeking an experienced Senior Chemical Process Engineer specializing in Water Treatment to join their team in Paarl, Western Cape . This role is essential for designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting chemical processes used in industrial water purification, wastewater treatment, and desalination. You will be instrumental in ensuring the efficiency, compliance, and sustainability of water treatment operations, working closely with plant personnel and project teams. The position involves a hybrid work arrangement, offering flexibility while requiring on-site presence for critical operations and assessments. The successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of chemical principles applied to water chemistry, separation technologies, and environmental regulations. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to critical infrastructure and environmental sustainability efforts in the picturesque Western Cape region.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and optimize chemical processes for industrial water treatment, wastewater management, and desalination applications.
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and equipment specifications.
• Conduct treatability studies, pilot tests, and performance evaluations of water treatment systems.
• Troubleshoot operational issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions for chemical dosing, coagulation, flocculation, membrane filtration, and disinfection processes.
• Ensure all processes comply with local and international water quality standards and environmental regulations.
• Perform process simulations and modeling to predict performance and optimize design parameters.
• Collaborate with clients, project managers, and operational staff to deliver successful water treatment solutions.
• Develop operating procedures, training materials, and provide technical support to plant operators.
• Stay current with advancements in water treatment technologies and sustainable practices.
• Conduct site assessments and audits to ensure optimal plant performance and safety.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related environmental science discipline.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in chemical process engineering, with a specialization in water and wastewater treatment.
• Proven experience with various water treatment technologies, including membrane filtration (RO, UF), ion exchange, chemical precipitation, and disinfection.
• Strong knowledge of water chemistry, aqueous process design, and relevant regulations.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., AquaChem, Aspen Plus) is advantageous.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in a hybrid environment.
• Experience with project management and report writing.
• Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) designation is preferred.
• Familiarity with desalination processes is a strong plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-related bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid, pension fund, and life cover.
• Generous annual leave and family responsibility leave.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending industry conferences.
• Hybrid work model providing work-life balance.
• Exposure to cutting-edge water treatment technologies and projects.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment in Paarl, Western Cape .