Senior Process Chemical Engineer – Scale-Up & Innovation

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Performance bonus

Professional development

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a leading chemical company in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, to hire a Senior Process Chemical Engineer. The role focuses on optimizing existing processes, developing new ones, scaling pilot operations, and ensuring safety and compliance in a demanding industrial setting.

You will lead process design, simulations, PFDs/P&IDs, and collaborate with operations, maintenance, and R&D, mentoring junior engineers while driving continuous improvement across manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in process engineering within the chemical/petrochemical sector.
• Proven track record in process design, scale-up and troubleshooting of complex systems.
• Strong knowledge of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and mass transfer.
• Experience with process simulation software (Aspen Plus, HYSYS) and CAD tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; team orientation.
• HAZOP studies and safety management systems experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement new chemical processes and optimize existing ones to improve efficiency, yield, and cost-effectiveness.
• Conduct detailed process simulations and feasibility studies to evaluate improvements and new technologies.
• Oversee pilot plant studies and scale-up operations, ensuring successful transition to full-scale production.
• Develop and maintain PFDs, P&IDs, and other critical process documentation.
• Troubleshoot operational issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to minimize downtime and improve quality.
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and R&D to achieve project goals.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and staff.

Skills

Process design

Scale-up

Troubleshooting

Kinetics & thermodynamics

PFDs & P&IDs

HAZOP knowledge

Safety systems

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

CAD tools

Job description

Placements24 is assisting a leading chemical company in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, to hire a Senior Process Chemical Engineer. The role focuses on optimizing existing processes, developing new ones, scaling pilot operations, and ensuring safety and compliance in a demanding industrial setting.

You will lead process design, simulations, PFDs/P&IDs, and collaborate with operations, maintenance, and R&D, mentoring junior engineers while driving continuous improvement across manufacturing