Process Project Engineer

Department: Initiating Systems Operations / Projects

Reporting Line

Reports to: Project Manager – Initiating Systems

Works closely with: Project Governance, Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Procurement, and External Contractors.

Job Purpose

To provide process engineering leadership and project coordination for capital projects and plant optimisation initiatives within Initiating Systems. The role is responsible for ensuring that process designs, plant modifications, and improvement projects are technically sound, safe, compliant, and efficiently executed throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Accountabilities

Project Engineering Support

Provide focused process engineering leadership for all plant modifications and optimisation initiatives. This includes equipment specification, design verification, and ensuring technical soundness aligns with both project objectives and operational safety standards. Act as the central initiator/reviewer for all governance and design documentation.

Project Lifecycle Coordination

Own the technical narrative of each project by providing disciplined engineering support across the full project lifecycle:

• Feasibility & Concept Development: Support feasibility studies and define technical scope.
• Detailed Design: Lead detailed design reviews and ensure alignment with P&IDs and process specifications.
• Procurement & Construction: Support procurement with technical queries and oversee construction to ensure design fidelity.
• Commissioning & Handover: Lead structured commissioning, validation, and formal operational handover activities.

Technical Documentation and Governance

Act as the gatekeeper for all critical project documentation. Ensure the rigorous technical review, formal clearance, and management of key governance deliverables prior to implementation, including:

• Process Safety Management (PSM)
• HAZOP Facilitation and Participation
• Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA)
• Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)
• Management of Change (MOC)
• Relief and Flare System Fundamentals
• Functional Safety and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation
• Root Cause Analysis
• Incident Investigation and Learning Review

Reinforce adherence to internal governance frameworks and external regulatory requirements, ensuring the Initiating Systems Project department remains audit-ready at all stages.

Compliance and Safety Assurance

Ensure all engineering and project activities comply with:

• Company governance procedures
• Safety regulations
• Environmental standards
• Engineering and explosives best practices

Risk Identification and Management

Proactively identify design, operability, and integration risks early in the project lifecycle. By flagging issues at the earliest possible stage, directly contribute to reducing costly rework, minimizing potential cost exposure, and preventing latent safety hazards. Escalate mitigation measures to project leadership promptly.

Stakeholder Coordination

Ensure alignment across project stakeholders.

Serve as the central technical point of contact to strengthen communication and coordination across the Nitrates Projects, Group Corporate Projects, Operations, Maintenance, Procurement, and external service providers to ensure seamless integration and alignment of all technical activities.

Project Reporting

Develop and manage clear, concise project lifecycle reports. Track technical progress against milestones, document key technical decisions, and proactively communicate risks, status, and recommendations to project leadership and key stakeholders.

Knowledge Management

Systematically capture and document technical knowledge, lessons learned, and "as-built" information throughout each project. This preserves critical in-house process engineering capability to support long-term operational sustainability and future optimisation efforts.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering
• Professional registration with ECSA (Pr. Eng. or Candidate Engineer) will be advantageous
• Project Management certification or PMI registration will be advantageous

Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in process engineering within chemical manufacturing, mining, explosives, or heavy industrial process plants.
• Experience in:
• Process design and optimisation
• Plant modification projects
• Process safety and risk assessments
• HAZOP studies
• MOC implementation
• Commissioning and start-up activities
• Capital projects and project engineering.

Knowledge and Skills

Technical Skills:

• Chemical and process engineering principles
• Mass and energy balance calculations
• Process design and optimisation
• Process safety management
• PFD, P&ID, and process documentation development
• Root cause analysis
• Plant commissioning and troubleshooting
• Project lifecycle management
• Engineering standards and regulatory compliance

Professional Skills:

• Process engineering expertise
• Technical problem solving
• Process risk assessment
• Project coordination
• Engineering judgement
• Technical reporting
• Stakeholder management
• Governance and compliance management

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Achievement of plant performance and optimisation targets.
• Successful delivery of process-related projects within scope, budget, and schedule.
• Zero significant process safety incidents attributable to design deficiencies.
• Completion and approval of all process engineering documentation.
• Effective identification and mitigation of process risks.
• Successful commissioning and stable operation of modified or new processes.
• 100% completion of required HAZOP, PHA, and MOC activities for assigned projects.
• All projects successfully pass pre-startup safety reviews and operational readiness assessments before commissioning

Working Conditions

• Office-based project work with regular plant/site visits for inspections and meetings
• May require participation in plant shutdowns, commissioning activities, and project implementation phases, which could include work outside of normal hours.

Core Competencies:

• Safety Leadership
• Integrity and Compliance
• Accountability
• Collaboration

Functional Competencies:

• Engineering judgement
• Project coordination
• Technical reporting
• Project Governance and Risk Management

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