Senior Process Optimization Engineer - Petrochemical Refining

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible remote work

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Process Optimization Engineer for a fully remote role in the petrochemical sector. You will analyze operational data, model processes, and drive improvements across multiple refining facilities while collaborating with distributed teams.

You will apply Aspen Plus/HYSYS and APC to boost yield and energy efficiency, mentor junior engineers, and stay current with industry best practices. A strong background in chemical thermodynamics is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering is required.
• 7+ years of process engineering experience focused on optimization in refining or similar industries.
• Proven experience with process simulation and advanced process control.

Responsibilities

• Analyze plant data to identify opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains.
• Develop strategies to improve yield, energy use, and throughput.
• Use process simulation to predict performance and test optimization scenarios.
• Collaborate with on-site and remote teams to implement improvements.
• Monitor KPIs and report efficiency trends; perform root cause analyses.

Skills

Process optimization

Data analysis

Statistical modeling

Process simulation tools

APC

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

Aspen DMCplus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the petrochemical industry, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Process Optimization Engineer to drive efficiency and innovation within their refining operations. This role will be performed remotely, allowing you to leverage your expertise to analyze complex operational data, identify bottlenecks, and implement strategic improvements across multiple facilities. You will utilize advanced modeling techniques and data analytics to enhance process performance, yield, and energy efficiency. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced engineer to make a significant impact on operational excellence from a flexible, remote work setting, supporting our diverse operations including those near East London, Eastern Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze plant operational data to identify opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve product yield, energy consumption, and throughput.
• Utilize advanced process simulation and modeling tools to predict performance and test optimization scenarios.
• Collaborate with on-site operations and engineering teams to implement and validate process improvements.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and report on process efficiency trends.
• Conduct root cause analyses for process upsets and deviations.
• Stay current with new technologies and best practices in process optimization and petrochemical refining.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, including P&IDs and operating procedures, reflecting optimized states.
• Mentor junior engineers and share expertise on process optimization techniques.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in process engineering, with a strong focus on optimization in petrochemical refining or similar industries.
• Proven experience with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS, Aspen DMCplus) and advanced process control (APC).
• Strong data analysis and statistical modeling skills.
• Excellent understanding of chemical thermodynamics, kinetics, and fluid dynamics.
• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a remote team.
• Self-motivated and able to manage projects and priorities independently.
• Experience in developing and implementing process improvements in a refining environment.

Benefits

This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including excellent health coverage, retirement contributions, and performance-based bonuses. Our client values work-life balance and offers the flexibility of working from anywhere. Continuous learning and professional development are supported through online training, virtual conferences, and access to industry-leading software and resources. You will have the opportunity to lead significant optimization initiatives that enhance the profitability and sustainability of major petrochemical operations.