Water Treatment Engineer - Process Design Specialist

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Profit sharing

Company vehicle

Travel allowance

Great location (Paarl)

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Water Treatment Engineer for our client in Paarl, Western Cape. The role focuses on design and implementation of advanced water treatment processes to deliver safe water for communities and industries.

The candidate will lead process design, equipment selection and provide operational support across potable, process and industrial water facilities, while ensuring compliance with standards and delivering projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant engineering field with focus on water treatment.
• Professional registration as Pr. Eng. with ECSA is required.
• 8+ years of hands-on design experience in water treatment processes and facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead process design for water treatment plants including P&IDs, mass balances, and flow diagrams.
• Select treatment technologies and equipment based on water quality and project needs.
• Develop technical specifications for equipment and materials.
• Conduct treatability studies and pilot plant trials to optimize processes.
• Prepare design reports, tender documents, and construction drawings.
• Collaborate with project managers and multidisciplinary engineers to ensure integrated plant designs.
• Provide technical support during construction, commissioning and operation.
• Perform optimization and troubleshooting of existing facilities.
• Ensure compliance with national and international water quality standards and regulations.
• Stay updated on new water treatment technologies.

Skills

Water treatment design

Communication

Project coordination

Education

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering / Environmental Engineering / Civil Engineering (Water Treatment)

Pr. Eng. registration with ECSA

Tools

Process simulation software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading water and wastewater engineering firm, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Water Treatment Engineer to join their team in Paarl, Western Cape . This role is pivotal in the design and implementation of advanced water treatment processes to ensure the provision of safe and clean water for communities and industries. The successful candidate will be responsible for the process design, equipment selection, and operational support for a range of water treatment facilities, including potable water and industrial process water. This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer passionate about water quality and sustainability to contribute to vital infrastructure projects in a region renowned for its agricultural and industrial importance. Join a company that is at the forefront of water technology and committed to environmental stewardship in the beautiful Paarl region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the process design of water treatment plants, including conceptualization, flow diagrams, P&IDs, and mass balance calculations.
• Select appropriate treatment technologies and equipment (e.g., filtration, disinfection, membrane processes, ion exchange) based on water quality and project requirements.
• Develop technical specifications for water treatment equipment and materials.
• Conduct treatability studies and pilot plant trials to optimize treatment processes.
• Prepare detailed design reports, tender documents, and construction drawings for water treatment facilities.
• Collaborate with project managers, mechanical engineers, and electrical engineers to ensure integrated plant design.
• Provide technical support during the construction, commissioning, and operational phases of water treatment plants.
• Perform process optimization and troubleshooting for existing water treatment facilities.
• Ensure designs comply with all relevant national and international water quality standards and environmental regulations.
• Stay abreast of new developments and innovations in water treatment technologies.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Civil Engineering with a specialization in Water Treatment.
• Professional registration with ECSA as a Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) is required.
• A minimum of 8 years of hands‑on experience in the design of water treatment processes and facilities.
• Proven expertise in various water treatment technologies for potable water, wastewater, and industrial water.
• Strong understanding of water chemistry and microbiology relevant to treatment processes.
• Proficiency in process simulation and design software.
• Excellent report writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage design teams and work effectively on multidisciplinary projects.
• Experience with project lifecycle management from concept to operation.
• Willingness to undertake site visits to project locations in and around Paarl, Western Cape .

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Significant opportunities for professional development and continued learning.
• Exposure to diverse and challenging water treatment projects.
• A supportive and dynamic team environment.
• Performance-based bonuses and potential for profit sharing.
• Company vehicle or generous travel allowance.
• Work in a region known for its natural beauty and lifestyle.
• Contribution to essential community infrastructure.