Senior Materials Engineer

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Performance-based bonuses

Hybrid work arrangement

Transport or accommodation support

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal is seeking a Senior Materials Engineer to lead material selection, testing, and failure analysis across petrochemical and heavy industry projects.

You will work with design, maintenance and operations teams, apply corrosion engineering principles, and ensure compliance with API/ASTM standards while operating in a hybrid on-site and remote model.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in materials engineering, with focus on industrial applications.
• Comprehensive understanding of metals, alloys, polymers, and composites, incl. their properties and failure modes.
• Proficiency in corrosion engineering principles and techniques.
• Experience with material characterization techniques and failure analysis methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in Richards Bay region or similar industrial area preferred.
• Familiarity with API, ASTM, and NACE standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on material selection, performance, and failure analysis for industrial equipment and infrastructure in aggressive environments.
• Conduct and interpret material testing, including mechanical, corrosion, and microstructural analysis.
• Investigate material failures and degradation mechanisms, determining root causes and corrective actions.
• Develop and implement material specifications, QC procedures, and corrosion prevention strategies.
• Collaborate with design, maintenance, and operations teams to address material challenges and optimize equipment lifespan.
• Stay updated on new materials, technologies, and industry best practices.
• Manage material testing programs and vendor qualifications.
• Contribute to R&D projects focused on material performance and durability.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry codes, standards, and safety regulations.

Skills

Material science

Metallurgy

Corrosion engineering

Failure analysis

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in Materials Science/Metallurgy/C.E.

PhD (preferred)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the petrochemical and industrial sector, is seeking a distinguished Senior Materials Engineer to join their innovative team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This role is integral to ensuring the integrity, performance, and longevity of materials used across a wide range of industrial applications. The ideal candidate will possess deep knowledge of material science, metallurgy, and corrosion engineering, with a proven ability to troubleshoot material failures and develop solutions for challenging environments. You will collaborate with various engineering disciplines and operations teams to select, test, and implement appropriate materials, contributing significantly to the safety and efficiency of our client’s operations. This role offers a blend of laboratory work, site inspections, and strategic material management, operating on a hybrid model.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on material selection, performance, and failure analysis for industrial equipment and infrastructure in aggressive environments.
• Conduct and interpret material testing, including mechanical testing, corrosion testing, and microstructural analysis.
• Investigate material failures and degradation mechanisms, determining root causes and recommending corrective actions.
• Develop and implement material specifications, quality control procedures, and corrosion prevention strategies.
• Collaborate with design, maintenance, and operations teams to address material-related challenges and optimize equipment lifespan.
• Stay updated on new materials, technologies, and industry best practices relevant to the petrochemical and heavy industry sectors.
• Manage material testing programs and vendor qualifications.
• Contribute to R&D initiatives focused on enhancing material performance and durability.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry codes, standards, and safety regulations.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in materials engineering, with a strong focus on industrial applications, particularly in the petrochemical or heavy manufacturing sectors.
• Comprehensive understanding of metals, alloys, polymers, and composite materials, including their properties and failure modes.
• Proficiency in corrosion engineering principles and techniques.
• Experience with material characterization techniques and failure analysis methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience working in the Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal region or similar industrial area is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards (e.g., API, ASTM, NACE).

Benefits

Our client provides a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with comprehensive medical aid, retirement fund contributions, and performance-based bonuses. This position offers excellent career advancement opportunities within a growing organization and access to continuous professional development resources. Employees benefit from a supportive and collaborative work environment focused on innovation and safety. The hybrid work arrangement allows for a balance between on‑site collaboration and remote flexibility. Additional perks include subsidized transport or accommodation assistance, generous annual leave, and participation in company‑wide wellness programs. This role is based in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal .