Requisition ID: 41981

Job Category:Technology

With over six decades of business and technical experience in the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors, we understand that challenges are changing rapidly in every industry. We respond quickly with solutions that are smarter, more efficient, and innovative. We draw upon our 9,000 staff with experience in over 150 countries to challenge the status quo and create positive change for our clients, our employees, and the communities we serve.

Looking to take the next step in your career? Hatch is currently seeking a highly motivated Refractory Engineer to join our Business Practices, in Johannesburg office.

Our Technologies team is focused on the commercialisation and delivery of technologies across all three of Hatch’s sectors: Metals, Energy, Infrastructure. We’re a team of innovators and problem solvers who deliver custom and specialized engineering to deliver novel solutions and technologies.

In addition to developing new technologies and selecting and installing equipment in greenfield projects, we help our clients to get the most from their existing assets by providing field support, rebuild repairs, and retrofits. We also work with our clients to optimize their existing technologies to achieve the maximise benefit. 

As the successful candidate, you will:

• Primary responsibility for providing technical leadership on projects with respect to the refractory design for pyrometallurgical vessels. This includes responsibility for material selection, bricking arrangements, thermal and mechanical analysis, specifications, vendor selection, quality assurance during fabrication and installation as well as forensic analysis and troubleshooting of existing refractory linings.
• Define and contribute to project(s) scope, costs and benefits, schedule and implementation strategy.
• Technically manage the Project Team consisting of a mix of internal resources, consultants, and contractors.
• Review and approve drawings; oversee others responsible for update and creation of the drawings.
• Conduct refractory inspections at the supplier prior to them being delivered to the plant.
• On-site project supervision during the construction and installation phases of the project
• Conduct Project Review Meetings with Project Team
• Assist leadership team through review of the relevant sections of proposals for key projects.
• Identify and manage technology improvement projects, including approved R&D projects.
• Identify patentable technology and assist with patent applications.
• Assist with marketing of technology, including writing technical papers and participation in relevant industry meetings, workshops and conferences.
• Vendor pre-qualification and Vendor relationship management.

You bring to the role:

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering (preferably with a strong focus on material science or ceramics)
• A minimum of 10 years practical experience in production and use of refractory materials in pyrometallurgical applications with excellent working knowledge of pyrometallurgical vessel design, operation and maintenance.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills (both oral and written) are required due to frequent interaction with management, technical personnel, manufacturing personnel, vendors and contractors.
• Strong organizational skills are required to meet multiple task targets. · This individual should have leadership skills to manage contractors, control budgets, and maintain scheduled commitments
• Good working knowledge of technical aspects of furnace design in closely related areas (e.g. Refractory Lead must understand the impacts of, and on, the furnace structural containment).
• Good knowledge of project execution methodologies
• Ability to support and manage designers and/or engineers
• Ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions
• Good working knowledge of relevant design practices, codes and standards
• Strong customer/client focus

Why join us?

• Develop innovation partnerships
• Think globally, work locally
• Engage with people who make a difference

What we offer you?

• Flexible work environment.
• Long term career development

We are committed to fostering a workforce in each of our locations that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate. Hatch is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers employment applicants without regard to age, race, colour, national origin, citizenship, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or any other protected status. If you have any special needs requirements, please let us know. We will do our utmost to accommodate, in accordance with applicable local legislation.

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