Project Engineer Debottlenecking

About the Role

The role will provide engineering leadership and technical oversight for assigned project workstreams within the Nchalo Debottlenecking Programme, ensure engineering designs, installations, testing and commissioning activities are executed in accordance with approved specifications, standards and project requirements. Act as the technical authority during project execution, ensuring quality, safety, operability and maintainability of installed assets. The role will also support the Project Manager in delivering project objectives through effective engineering planning, contractor supervision and technical risk management and ensure successful technical handover and operational readiness of completed project deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering workstreams within approved scope, standards, quality requirements and schedules.

• Review and validate designs, specifications, drawings, calculations, BOQs and installation methods.

• Coordinate contractors, consultants, OEMs and site resources for safe and efficient project execution.

• Conduct technical reviews, risk assessments, constructability reviews and quality inspections.

• Monitor contractor workmanship, installation quality and compliance with approved specifications.

• Support procurement through technical scopes, bid evaluations, supplier assessments and equipment recommendations.

• Develop commissioning plans, testing procedures and technical acceptance protocols.

• Validate equipment sizing and technical solutions against required throughput, energy balance, reliability and operability outcomes.

• Support bottleneck analysis, process-capacity assessments and technical option evaluations.

• Verify that installed systems achieve required capacity, quality, energy efficiency and reliability criteria during performance testing.

• Investigate performance shortfalls and coordinate corrective engineering actions before final acceptance.

• Lead technical commissioning and verify system performance, reliability and safety before handover.

• Support operational readiness and integrate project deliverables into maintenance and operational systems.

• Promote and adhere to Illovo’s procedures, policies and guidelines, including, without limitation, those relating to SHERQ, Competitive Law and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial/Process Engineering.

Required Skills

• Minimum 7years’ experience in a manufacturing or industrial project environment.

• Experience in industrial manufacturing, sugar, mining, food or process industries.

• Experience in commissioning and start-up activities.

• Practical experience in brownfield process-plant upgrades, debottlenecking or capacity-expansion projects.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with OCMS or similar capital planning/project tracking systems would be an advantage.

Closing Date is 14 October 2026