Lead Process Engineer

Lead Process Engineer (Bsc/BEng. Chemical)
Serve as the primary technical authority and mentor supervising a team of engineers to design, implement, and optimize water treatment processes.
Paarl, hybrid | Water treatment industry | Salary negotiable depending on experience and exposure.

About Our Client
The company provides water and sanitation services. It focuses on industrial water and effluent treatment processes, including chemical plant design, fabrication, and commissioning.

The Role: Lead Process Engineer (Bsc/BEng. Chemical)
The Lead Process Engineer exists to serve as the primary technical authority and mentor within the process engineering department. This management-level role contributes to the business by supervising a team of engineers to ensure high standards of quality and technical delivery. The main focus areas include leading project designs from concept to completion, providing strategic technical leadership on technology selection, and optimizing facility performance through data analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a minimum of 15 years of total engineering experience, including at least 10 years specifically in the water treatment field.
• Lead project designs from concept to completion, including equipment sizing, developing P&IDs, and establishing design criteria.
• Supervise and mentor a team of senior, process, and junior process engineers.
• Provide specialist input on technology selection, risk assessment, and cost competitiveness for engineering projects.
• Analyse process data to identify bottlenecks and provide technical support for operational improvements.
• Develop technical specifications for major process equipment and manage vendor packages.
• Create and approve technical documentation including operating manuals, maintenance schedules, and safety protocols.
• Use simulations and data tools to verify facility performance, water recovery rates, and production targets.

About You

• Bachelors degree in Chemical or Process Engineering.
• Minimum 15 years of total engineering experience.
• At least 10 years of experience specifically in the water treatment field (not negotiable).
• Proven experience in supervising and mentoring engineering teams.
• Expertise in typical industrial water and effluent treatment processes.
• Ability to integrate mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering disciplines within a project context.
• In-depth knowledge of chemical plant design, fabrication, and commissioning.
• Understanding of cost models for various technologies and applications.