Senior Process Design Engineer - Hydrometallurgy

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 1,992,000 - 2,988,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Professional development

Remote work flexibility

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Senior Process Design Engineer with hydrometallurgy expertise for a fully remote role. Lead design teams, run simulations, and develop PFDs/P&IDs for minerals projects worldwide. You will ensure safety, environmental, and economic objectives are met across diverse commodities.

The role requires 8+ years in process design, with 5+ in hydrometallurgy, and strong collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams. Pr.Eng preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or related field.
• At least 8 years progressive process design experience, with 5+ years in hydrometallurgy within mining or chemicals.
• Experience designing circuits for gold, copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium, or similar commodities.
• Proficiency in process simulation and PFD/PID development tools.
• Strong thermodynamics, kinetics, and chemical engineering fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Lead hydrometallurgical plant design, incl. leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, electrowinning, precipitation, crystallization.
• Run process simulations and mass/energy balances using industry tools (Metso, HSC, Aspen Plus).
• Develop PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment specs.
• Troubleshoot and optimize processes in operations or pilot plants.
• Prepare design reports, datasheets, and procurement specs.
• Ensure compliance with codes, standards, and environmental regs.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, civil, and instrumentation teams.
• Provide technical support during construction, commissioning and start-up.
• Mentor junior engineers in hydrometallurgical design.
• Stay updated on new hydrometallurgy tech.

Skills

Process design

Hydrometallurgy

Leadership

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Chemical or Metallurgical Eng.

Tools

Metso HSC

Aspen Plus

PFD/PID software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in the mining and metals sector, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Process Design Engineer with specialized expertise in Hydrometallurgy. This position is designed to be fully remote, offering flexibility to talented engineers across the globe. The successful candidate will be responsible for the conceptual and detailed design of hydrometallurgical processes for various mineral commodities, including precious metals, base metals, and battery minerals. This role involves leading design teams, performing process simulations, developing PFDs and P&IDs, and ensuring designs meet safety, environmental, and economic objectives. You will be instrumental in developing innovative and sustainable processing solutions for our client's diverse project portfolio. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your expertise in a remote-first environment, influencing significant capital projects from start to finish. Your contributions will be vital in advancing efficient and environmentally sound mineral processing technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of process designs for hydrometallurgical plants, including leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, electrowinning, precipitation, and crystallization circuits.
• Perform process simulations and mass/energy balances using industry-standard software (e.g., Metso, Outotec HSC Chemistry, Aspen Plus).
• Develop Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), and equipment specifications.
• Conduct process troubleshooting and optimization for existing or pilot plant operations.
• Prepare process design reports, datasheets, and technical specifications for equipment procurement.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant industry codes, standards, and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, civil, instrumentation) to integrate process designs into overall project execution.
• Provide technical support during the construction, commissioning, and start-up phases of projects.
• Mentor and guide junior process engineers in the principles of hydrometallurgical design.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and best practices in hydrometallurgy and mineral processing.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited university.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in process design, with at least 5 years specifically focused on hydrometallurgical processes within the mining or chemical industries.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing circuits for gold, copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium, or other relevant commodities.
• Proficiency in process simulation software and experience with PFD/P&ID development tools.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, kinetics, and chemical engineering principles applied to metallurgical processes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote team environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly.
• Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) or equivalent registration is highly desirable.

Benefits

• This fully remote role offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and opportunities for professional development.
• Employees have the flexibility to work from home, supported by company-provided resources.
• Our client is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive global workforce and provides ample opportunities for career advancement and working on impactful projects worldwide.
• The company culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.