Senior Process Design Engineer - Hydrometallurgy

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package with bonus

Medical benefits

Retirement benefits

Professional development

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Process Design Engineer with strong hydrometallurgy expertise near Upington, Northern Cape. You will design and optimize chemical processes for metal extraction and refining, collaborating with on-site and remote teams to deliver safe, efficient solutions.

The role requires a Master's in Chemical or Metallurgical Engineering, 8+ years in process design, and proficiency with process simulation software.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in process design, with focus on hydrometallurgy.
• Experience with metal extraction and refining chemical principles.
• Proficiency in process simulation software used in hydrometallurgy.
• Experience in leaching, SX/IX and EW process design.
• Strong emphasis on process safety and environmental considerations in mining.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of hydrometallurgical plants and circuits.
• Develop PFDs, P&IDs, and mass/energy balances.
• Run process simulations for unit operations (leaching, SX, IX, EW).
• Perform feasibility studies and techno-economic assessments.
• Troubleshoot and optimize existing hydrometallurgical processes.
• Ensure designs meet safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and site operations.
• Prepare technical reports and equipment specifications.

Skills

Hydrometallurgy

Leaching

Solvent extraction

Ion exchange

Electrowinning

Process design

Safety & environment

Communication

Hybrid collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering

Tools

Process simulation software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant player in the mining and metals sector, is seeking a Senior Process Design Engineer with expertise in hydrometallurgy for their operations near Upington, Northern Cape. This role will be crucial in designing and optimizing chemical processes for metal extraction and refining. The position adopts a hybrid work model, allowing for effective collaboration between on-site engineering and operational teams and remote design and analysis work. You will apply advanced chemical engineering principles to develop efficient, safe, and environmentally sound processing solutions. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned engineer to contribute to major projects within the resource sector, impacting operations in the Upington, Northern Cape region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the process design and development of hydrometallurgical plants and circuits.
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and mass/energy balances.
• Perform process simulations and modeling for unit operations such as leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, and electrowinning.
• Conduct feasibility studies and techno-economic assessments for new projects and process improvements.
• Troubleshoot and optimize existing hydrometallurgical processes.
• Ensure designs meet safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary engineering teams, project managers, and site operations.
• Prepare technical reports and specifications for equipment procurement.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in process design, with a strong focus on hydrometallurgy.
• Demonstrated expertise in the chemical principles of metal extraction and refining.
• Proficiency in process simulation software relevant to hydrometallurgy.
• Experience in designing and optimizing leaching, SX, IX, and EW processes.
• Strong understanding of process safety and environmental considerations in mining operations.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing remote and on-site contributions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package and performance-based bonus.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and training in specialized areas.
• A dynamic and challenging work environment in the resource-rich Upington, Northern Cape region.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility and work-life balance.