Process Engineer

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and motivated process engineer with a strong background in wastewater, sanitation and project management to join our growing team. The successful candidate will play a key role in managing innovative sanitation and wastewater projects and supporting the development and commercialisation of sustainable technologies.

This is a full-time, 6-month fixed term contract position, with potential for extension.

Key Responsibilities

· Project management of wastewater, resource recovery and on-site sanitation technology development projects including coordination of project activities and budgets, procurement, management of internal staff and sub-contractors, liaison with project partners and stakeholder engagement

· Hands-on field testing of sanitation system prototypes in real-world environments. Duties include operating the systems, taking samples of influent and products for laboratory analysis, troubleshooting system problems and carrying out fixes.

· Recording and analysing system operational data

· Preparation of detailed technical reports and presentations

· Developing scopes of work with some basic design and specifications, obtaining quotations or tender prices from relevant contractors or suppliers and management of implementation in terms of quality, programme and costs

· Manage the activities of other project team members, including site-based and remote personnel

· Project administration tasks such as requesting quotes, procurement of parts and submission of applications for ethics and other approvals.

· Liaise with municipalities, technology developers, commercialisation partners, research institutions and funding bodies.

Minimum Requirements

• Must have current, valid documentation to live and work in South Africa
• Chemical or Environmental Engineering or Chemistry qualification to at least Bachelor degree level, or other degree subject to Bachelor level with accompanying work experience in sanitation/wastewater/water/environmental engineering
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of experience in engineering project management, sanitation technologies, wastewater treatment, or environmental systems, including plant design experience
• Experience managing contractors and field teams
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical reporting skills.

· Good communicator, team player, not status-orientated, passionate, able to work independently

· Keen to become part of a small established team and to take on the breadth of tasks and responsibilities associated with this environment

· Comfortable working in informal settlement environments

· Current, valid driver’s license and confident driver

· The position is office-based in Durban, South Africa

Personal characteristics

· Reliable and high degree of integrity

· Relates well to people of different cultures, nationalities and in less senior/more senior positions

· Self-motivated and looks for ways to work more effectively

· Attention to detail and cares about doing a good job

Preferred Experience

· Experience working for, or with, municipal government water and sanitation departments

· Masters degree in chemical engineering, environmental engineering, water and sanitation, or a related field would be advantageous.

· Experience working with non-sewered sanitation systems

· R&D industry experience or experience of research in an academic environment, preferably applied research

· Ability to speak isiZulu (or other Nguni language) would be advantageous but is not essential

· Laboratory coordination and data interpretation.

To apply

Please send CV and brief covering letter to ***email_hidden*** with Process Engineer 2026 in the subject heading.

Closing date: Friday 3 July 2026