Junior Production Engineer - Worcester

SUMMARY:
Our client in water treatment is seeking to employ a Junior Production Engineer to join their team based in Worcester, Western Cape.

Exciting Opportunity:
Join a dynamic and forward-thinking team where your skills will make an immediate impact and your career can thrive.

POSITION INFO:
Requirements:

• 1 - 3 years working experience in an engineering or production related field would be preferred.
• Preferably experienced in Anaerobic Digestion & Biological treatment, RO, MBR, Precipitation, Clarification; relevant experience will be an advantage.
• Sound ability to perform and interpret process calculations and mass balances, and to translate plant data into corrective and optimisation action.
• Ability to compile, control and maintain technical and engineering documentation to a high standard of accuracy.
• Willingness and ability to lead, guide and develop a shift-based team of Process Controllers.
• Practical understanding of biogas systems and the associated process and safety risks will be an advantage.
• Computer skills: Word, Excel, data base, power point and e-mail literacy.
• Be a fast learner and able to work with little supervision.
• Solution and improvement focused.
• Effective time management skills with a sense of urgency.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with stakeholders.
• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure.
• Valid code B drivers' licence and own reliable transport.
• Willingness to support a continuous 24/7 operation, including standby / call-out when required.
• Residing in or willing to relocate to the Worcester area.

• Act as the technical process authority on site, providing process and operational expertise to the plant team.
• Lead, guide and develop the Process Controllers on all process matters, including work allocation, technical coaching, training and verification of process decisions taken on shift.
• Take operational responsibility for plant performance and wellbeing when the Plant Manager is off site or unavailable, whilst ensuring safe and efficient operations of the plant(s).
• Monitor and evaluate plant health and performance and take appropriate action to keep the plant operating at optimum performance.
• Monitor, control and optimise the anaerobic digestion process, including organic loading rate, temperature, pH, VFA / alkalinity and biogas yield, and act on all deviations.
• Drive plant performance against the contractual KPI's, including water recovery, biogas production, plant availability and utilisation.
• Interpret daily on-site laboratory results and effluent quality trends, and adjust process set points and dosing regimes accordingly.
• Compile and distribute daily plant operational performance reports to internal and external stakeholders.
• Compile, verify and maintain process calculations, including hydraulic and organic loading, retention times, dosing rates, flux and recovery calculations, and biogas yield calculations.
• Develop, maintain and interpret mass balances to identify losses, inefficiencies and optimisation opportunities.
• Own, drive and report on optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives from identification and motivation through to implementation and verification of the benefit realised.
• Act as custodian of engineering and process documentation, including process flow diagrams, P&IDs, equipment lists, datasheets, design documents, control philosophies and technical registers, ensuring all are current, controlled and correctly filed.
• Track chemical consumption, manage chemical stock levels and monitor the cost of treatment, optimising where possible.
• Collaborate with the Maintenance Manager and Plant Manager for planned downtime, ensuring the process is placed in the required state for maintenance and returned to service efficiently.
• Provide process input into the expansion and improvement of process units and lead the onsite implementation of process changes.
• Support the standardisation of plant data and automation on site, and the roll-out of digital support and remote monitoring.
• Compile Standard Operating Procedures where required.
• Adhere to Incident Notification protocols and management of Incidents / NCR's, and follow through on corrective / preventative actions.
• Ensure PTO's, SWP's and Task Risk Assessments are in place, communicated and conducted as per schedule / procedural requirements.
• Comply at all times with all client SHE requirements.
• Client communication, interaction and management, including attendance of meetings.