Senior Process Design Engineer - Petrochemicals

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Remote; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work allowance

Private healthcare

Annual leave

Sick days

Performance bonus

Long-term incentives

Professional development

Remote retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Process Design Engineer for a remote-first role in the petrochemical sector. Lead concept to FEED and detailed design activities, optimizing processes and ensuring safety and environmental compliance.

Strong collaboration with project managers, equipment engineers, and safety specialists is essential. Ideal candidates hold a Chemical Engineering degree with 10+ years of process design experience, expertise in Aspen Plus or HYSYS, and a proven track record in PHAs,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 10+ years of process design experience in petrochemicals.
• Proficient with Aspen Plus or HYSYS simulations.
• Knowledge of PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment specs.
• Familiar with PHAs, LOPA, SIL and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead process design from concept through detailed engineering.
• Create and review PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment specs.
• Perform simulations to optimize designs.
• Conduct PHAs and risk assessments.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams in a remote setup.
• Mentor junior engineers and drive design improvements.

Skills

Process design

PFDs & P&IDs

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

PHAs/LOPA/SIL

Remote collaboration

Mentoring juniors

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in the petrochemical industry, is seeking an accomplished Senior Process Design Engineer to join their remote-first engineering team. This role is critical for the conceptualization, development, and execution of new petrochemical projects and the optimization of existing facilities. You will be responsible for leading the process design phase, from feasibility studies and front-end engineering design (FEED) through to detailed design support. Working remotely, you will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including project managers, equipment engineers, and safety specialists, to deliver innovative and cost-effective process solutions. This position requires a deep understanding of petrochemical processes, advanced simulation techniques, and stringent safety and environmental standards. You will play a key role in shaping the technical direction of major capital projects, ensuring designs meet operational requirements, regulatory compliance, and economic objectives. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional analytical skills and a proven ability to manage complex design challenges in a virtual environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of process designs for new petrochemical plants and expansions, from concept through to detailed engineering.
• Prepare and review Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), and equipment specifications.
• Perform process simulations and modeling using industry-standard software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS) to optimize designs and validate performance.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHAs) and risk assessments during the design phase.
• Develop heat and material balances, utility requirements, and preliminary equipment sizing.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant industry codes, standards, safety regulations, and environmental policies.
• Provide technical support to procurement, construction, and commissioning teams.
• Review vendor proposals and technical submittals for process equipment.
• Collaborate effectively with project teams, clients, and stakeholders in a remote setting.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the continuous improvement of design methodologies and tools.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in process design engineering, specifically within the petrochemical or chemical industry.
• Extensive experience with process simulation software (Aspen Plus, HYSYS, or similar).
• Proven ability to develop PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment specifications.
• Strong knowledge of petrochemical processes, including refining, cracking, polymerization, and synthesis.
• Familiarity with safety design principles, HAZOP, LOPA, and SIL assessments.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong understanding of engineering economics and project lifecycles.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with experience working in distributed teams.
• Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) registration is an advantage.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and remote work allowance.
• Comprehensive private healthcare coverage.
• Generous annual leave and paid sick days.
• Annual performance bonus and long-term incentive plans.
• Professional development opportunities, including access to advanced training and conferences.
• Contribution to a remote retirement savings plan.
• The opportunity to shape significant capital projects from a remote, flexible setting.
• A collaborative and innovative virtual work environment.