Hydrometallurgical Engineer at Hatch

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