Hydrometallurgical Engineer

Requisition ID: 99649 

Job Category: Metals 

Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 
 

Join a company that is passionately committed to the pursuit of a better world through positive change. With more than 70 years of business and technical expertise in mining, energy, and infrastructure, our 10,000 colleagues in 150 countries tirelessly work toward bettering the industries in which we operate. With practical solutions that are safe, innovative and sustainable, we think globally while acting locally. Are you looking for an opportunity to join a diverse group of professionals who are committed to remaining exceptional? We look forward to hearing from you.

Environment, People, and Place shape projects that are sustainable, resilient, and people-focused. We bring environmental intelligence and community-centered deisgn to every stage, creating places that thrive socially, economically, and ecologically. 

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated Hydrometallurgical Engineer to join our Johannesburg office. The successful candidate will contribute to the delivery of world-class hydrometallurgical projects across Africa and globally, supporting studies, process design, engineering, commissioning, and optimization activities.

This role offers exposure to a broad range of commodities including copper, nickel, cobalt, uranium, zinc, manganese, precious metals, lithium, and battery materials while working alongside experienced technical specialists and project teams

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to hydrometallurgical process design for study and execution projects.
• Develop and maintain Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Process Design Criteria (PDCs), and Process Design Basis (PDB) documentation.
• Perform mass and energy balance calculations using process modelling software.
• Assist with equipment sizing, specification development, and process calculations.
• Participate in trade-off studies, process optimization, and technology evaluations.
• Support development of capital cost (CAPEX) and operating cost (OPEX) estimates.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams including mechanical, piping, electrical, instrumentation, civil, and project services.
• Support commissioning, start-up, and operational readiness activities.
• Conduct process simulations using platforms such as METSIM, SysCAD, or equivalent.
• Participate in technical reviews, hazard studies, and client presentations.
• Assist with preparation of technical reports and feasibility study documentation.
• Support business development initiatives through technical input and proposal preparation.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Delivery of engineering work within agreed quality, cost, and schedule requirements.
• Accuracy and completeness of process design deliverables.
• Compliance with Hatch safety, quality, and technical standards.
• Effective contribution to multidisciplinary project teams.
• Successful completion of assigned studies and engineering packages.
• Continuous professional development toward ECSA registration.
• Positive feedback from project teams and clients.

Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering in:
• Chemical Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Mineral Processing Engineering
• Equivalent Engineering Discipline
• 2-6 years of relevant hydrometallurgical or process engineering experience.
• Strong understanding of hydrometallurgical unit operations and process fundamentals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• ECSA Candidate Engineer registration or eligibility.
• Experience in engineering consulting, EPCM, or operating environments.
• Exposure to feasibility, prefeasibility, and detailed engineering projects.
• Site commissioning or operational support experience.

Technical Skills

Experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Acid leaching processes
• Pressure oxidation
• Atmospheric leaching
• Solvent extraction (SX)
• Ion exchange (IX)
• Uranium processing
• Nickel and cobalt refining
• Copper hydrometallurgy
• Zinc refining
• Precious metals processing
• Lithium and battery metals projects
• Cyanide recovery systems
• Water and reagent balance development

Software proficiency:

• METSIM
• SysCAD
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Aspen Plus (advantageous)
• Power BI (advantageous)

Key Competencies

• Problem solving and analytical thinking
• Strong technical aptitude
• Attention to detail
• Effective written communication
• Team collaboration
• Adaptability and learning agility
• Client focus
• Safety leadership
• Professional integrity

Why join us?

• Work with great people to make a difference
• Collaborate on exciting projects to develop innovative solutions
• Top employer

What we offer you?

• Flexible work environment
• Long term career development
• Think globally, work locally

Don't meet every single requirement? You don't need to. At Hatch, we are building a diverse, inclusive workplace that fosters innovation. If you're interested in this role, we encourage you to apply even if your past experiences don't perfectly align with the skills we've listed.

We're committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate and serve. Hatch is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers applicants without regard to age, race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran, or any other protected status. If you have any accommodation requirements, please let us know. We'll do our best to meet your needs in accordance with applicable local legislation.

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