Junior Production Engineer

Primary Function - Technical Process Leadership & Plant Optimization

• Act as the site technical process authority, monitoring plant health, troubleshooting deviations, and driving process optimization initiatives across unit operations.
• Monitor and optimize the anaerobic digestion process (organic loading rates, temperature, pH, VFA/alkalinity, and biogas yields) and biological treatment systems.
• Compile and verify process calculations (hydraulic/organic loading, retention times, flux, recovery, and mass balances) to identify and eliminate plant inefficiencies.
• Interpret daily laboratory test results and effluent quality trends to adjust chemical dosing regimes and process set points.

• Lead, guide, and upskill shift Process Controllers on technical process decisions, operational tasks, and routine coaching.
• Take operational responsibility for plant performance and site safety when the Plant Manager is off-site or unavailable.
• Collaborate with the Maintenance and Plant Managers to safely isolate, prepare, and return process units to service during planned maintenance.
• Enforce strict site safety, PTOs, Task Risk Assessments, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and SHE compliance at all times.

• Act as site custodian of engineering records, P&IDs, process flow diagrams, control philosophies, and datasheets.
• Track chemical consumption, manage inventory, and monitor operational costs of treatment.
• Compile and distribute daily operational performance reports and support the rollout of site automation and remote digital monitoring tools.

What you’ll need

• Education: B.Eng or BTech in Chemical Engineering.
• Experience: 1-3 years’ working experience in an engineering or production/process plant environment.
• Technical Exposure: Prior experience or exposure to Anaerobic Digestion, Biogas systems, Biological Treatment, Membrane Bioreactors (MBR), Reverse Osmosis (RO), precipitation, or clarification is highly advantageous.
• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to execute mass balances, perform hydraulic/organic process calculations, and translate raw data into corrective actions.
• Licensing & Transport: Valid Code B driver’s license and own reliable vehicle (essential).
• Compliance & Medical: Clear criminal record and medically fit to pass mandatory site medical fitness assessments.
• Availability & Location: Willingness to support a 24/7 continuous operation (including standby/call-outs) and residing in or willing to relocate to Worcester, Western Cape.

What is in it for you?

• Salary: R30,000 - R35,000 CTC per month (dependent on experience).
• Duration: Fixed-Term Contract ending 31 July 2027.
• Impact: Hands-on technical leadership over advanced industrial water reclamation, anaerobic digestion, and biogas production technologies.
• Growth: Mentorship and experience acting as second-in-command on an active production and reclamation facility.

A Few Things to Know

• This role is 100% plant-based on-site in Worcester, Western Cape.
• You will report directly to the Plant Manager.
• Success in this role requires a proactive problem-solver with strong technical aptitude who can lead shift controllers and maintain strict operational and water quality KPIs

Ready to Apply?

Click Apply and please complete your application in full.

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