JUNIOR PROCESS ENGINEER

JUNIOR PROCESS ENGINEER : Water & Wastewater Treatment (Smart Water Plants, AI & Automation), Gauteng, South Africa, R25,000 p.m. plus benefits PLEASE NOTE : This is a multi-and cross-site position and requires regular travel for work. Remuneration and benefits will be discussed with shortlisted individuals.

OVERVIEW Our client, an engineering company specialising in the design, construction, commissioning, optimisation, and long-term operation of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) throughout Southern Africa is seeking a motivated Junior Process Engineer who is eager to combine traditional process engineering with next-generation operational technologies such as Smart Plant technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and digital water infrastructure.

THE ROLE

Reporting to Senior Process Engineers, you will provide process engineering support across the design, commissioning, optimisation, and performance monitoring of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants.

In addition to conventional process engineering responsibilities, you will assist with the implementation of Smart Plant technologies by helping integrate process engineering with SCADA systems, plant automation, operational data, and AI-driven performance optimisation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Process Engineering team with technical calculations, plant evaluations and process optimisation.
• Assist with commissioning and start-up activities on new and upgraded treatment plants.
• Conduct technical evaluations across conventional, biological, membrane and anaerobic treatment processes.
• Review and audit Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and verify plant equipment against SCADA systems.
• Assist in preparing and updating Functional Design Specifications (Control Narratives). Participate in field loop testing and commissioning activities to verify instrumentation, valves and process controls.
• Collect, validate and cleanse historical operational data for analysis and AI model development.
• Assist with implementing Smart Water solutions including predictive maintenance, smart chemical dosing and aeration optimisation.
• Monitor plant performance and recommend opportunities for continuous process improvement.
• Develop a sound understanding of emerging Smart Plant technologies, AI applications and advanced automation within the Water and Wastewater Treatment industry.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• BEng or BSc Degree in Chemical Engineering (or equivalent). 0-2 years'' Process Engineering experience within the Water and Wastewater Treatment industry.
• Exposure to * conventional, * biological, * membrane and/or * anaerobic treatment processes.
• Understanding of SCADA systems and industrial process control.
• Working knowledge of Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs). Exposure to Smart Plant technologies, AI applications or industrial automation will be advantageous.
• Knowledge of standard wastewater process calculations such as: * Surface Overflow Rate (SOR) * Solids Retention Time (SRT) * Membrane Flux * Volatile Solids Loading Registration as an ECSA Candidate Engineer, or eligibility to register.
• Valid driver''s licence and own reliable transport.
• INHERENT

REQUIREMENTS

• The successful candidate must be willing and able to undergo: Criminal background screening, Verification of qualifications, Employment reference checks, Medical fitness assessment (site medical).