Senior Chemical Project Engineer

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Hybrid work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Chemical Project Engineer to join a leading engineering and construction firm in Mpumalanga. You will lead complex chemical plant projects from conception through commissioning, providing technical leadership and ensuring safety, quality, and budget targets.

The role is hybrid, combining on-site client meetings with remote detailed engineering. The ideal candidate has 7–9 years of chemical project experience, a chemical engineering degree, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 7-9+ years of experience in project engineering or project management within chemical industry.
• Experience managing capital projects from initiation to completion.
• Strong understanding of chemical process design, equipment specification, and plant construction.
• Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools (e.g., P6, MS Project).
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and best practices in plant construction.
• FEED experience is advantageous.
• PrEng status is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all phases of chemical plant projects: feasibility studies, design, procurement, construction, commissioning.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
• Oversee design and engineering activities, ensuring codes and client requirements are met.
• Manage project risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate with clients, vendors, contractors, and internal disciplines.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and environmental regulations.
• Monitor progress, control costs, and manage changes.
• Prepare and present project status reports to stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers and staff.
• Ensure successful handover and close-out of projects.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Risk management

Multi-tasking

Safety culture

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

PrEng status (advantage)

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent engineering and construction firm specializing in chemical and industrial plants, is seeking a Senior Chemical Project Engineer to join their project execution team. This role will involve managing and executing complex chemical plant projects from conception through to commissioning. You will be responsible for technical leadership, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest safety and quality standards. The ideal candidate will possess a strong chemical engineering background, significant project management experience, and a proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams. This position offers the opportunity to work on diverse and challenging projects across various sectors of the chemical industry. The role is hybrid, allowing for effective project management through a mix of on‑site client meetings and remote detailed engineering work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all phases of chemical plant projects, including feasibility studies, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
• Oversee the design and engineering activities, ensuring compliance with all relevant codes, standards, and client requirements.
• Manage project risks, identify potential issues, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate with clients, vendors, contractors, and internal engineering disciplines.
• Ensure adherence to strict safety protocols and environmental regulations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor project progress, control costs, and manage changes effectively.
• Prepare and present project status reports to stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to project engineers and technical staff.
• Ensure successful handover and close‑out of projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 7-9 years of experience in project engineering or project management within the chemical industry.
• Proven experience managing capital projects from initiation to completion.
• Strong understanding of chemical process design, equipment specification, and plant construction.
• Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools (e.g., P6, MS Project).
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and best practices in plant construction and operations.
• Experience with feasibility studies and front-end engineering design (FEED) is advantageous.
• Registered Professional Engineer (PrEng) status is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, performance bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including health, retirement, and life insurance. This role, based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, offers a hybrid work arrangement, balancing flexibility with essential project collaboration. We provide excellent opportunities for professional development and career advancement within a leading engineering firm. Join a team dedicated to delivering world‑class chemical plant solutions.