Johannesburg: Senior Process / Chemical Engineer (12-Month Contract)

Minimum Requirements: Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering (BEng/BSc Eng). Minimum 15 years experience in platinum and precious metals refining. Extensive process plant experience within hydrometallurgical and/or pyrometallurgical environments. Proven track record in plant optimisation, troubleshooting, and process improvement. Strong understanding of PGMs refining processes and associated technologies. Experience with mass and energy balances, process simulation, and data analysis tools. Professional registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) will be advantageous. Roles and Responsibilities: Process Engineering & Optimisation Lead process design, review, and optimisation initiatives within platinum group metals (PGMs) and precious metals refining circuits. Analyse plant performance data to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities. Develop and implement process improvement strategies to enhance throughput, recovery, yield, and cost efficiency. Provide technical leadership in hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical operations, including leaching, solvent extraction, precipitation, smelting, and refining processes. Plant Operations Support Provide senior-level technical support to operations and maintenance teams. Troubleshoot complex process issues and implement corrective actions to ensure stable and efficient plant operation. Monitor critical process parameters and recommend adjustments to maintain product quality and recovery targets. Support commissioning, start-up, and stabilisation of new or modified process units. Project Management & Execution Lead or contribute to capital and improvement projects, ensuring technical compliance and operational integration. Review and approve engineering deliverables including PFDs, P&IDs, mass and energy balances, equipment specifications, and technical reports. Liaise with multidisciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control) to ensure seamless project execution. Oversee contractors and service providers to ensure quality, safety, and adherence to timelines. Compliance, Safety & Risk Management Ensure all process activities comply with relevant South African regulations, environmental standards, and safety protocols. Conduct and participate in HAZOPs, risk assessments, and root cause analyses. Promote a strong safety culture within the refining plant environment. Support environmental compliance initiatives, including emissions control, effluent management, and waste minimisation. Technical Governance & Reporting Develop and maintain process documentation, SOPs, and technical standards. Prepare detailed technical reports, feasibility studies, and performance assessments for senior management. Provide expert input into strategic planning and long-term process development initiatives. Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to plant personnel. Closing Date: Submissions for this vacancy will close on 3 March 2026, however you will still have the opportunity to submit your CV for this position till 26 March 2026. Please Note: Thank you for submitting your CV to Marvel Placement Consultants. We value your submission, and we try our utmost best to get back to each applicant. However, should your application be successful, we will be in contact with you. Should you not hear from us within two weeks of application, please consider your application unsuccessful. We are, however, recruitment specialists and will keep your details on our database for possible future opportunities. PoPI Act: Please note that Marvel Placement Consultants adhere to the POPI Act (Act No. 4 of 2013: Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013). Section 9 of PoPI states that “Personal Information may only be processed if, given the purpose for which it is processed, it is adequate, relevant and not excessive”