Chemical Process Engineer- API R&D

Walter Bushnell; Kolkata District; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Walter Bushnell is seeking a Chemical Process Engineer to join our API R&D team in Kolkata. The role focuses on developing and optimizing chemical processes for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, ensuring scalability, safety, and efficient technology transfer to manufacturing.

You will design and execute DoE studies, perform material and energy balances, and prepare detailed process documentation including PFDs, P&IDs, and regulatory dossiers, collaborating across QA, Analytical R&D, and EHS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering required.
• 5–8 years of API process development or pharmaceutical R&D experience.
• Familiarity with cGMP, ICH guidelines, QbD principles.
• Hands-on experience with lab-scale and kilo-lab equipment (reactors, filtration, drying).
• Experience with process simulation tools such as Aspen Plus or ChemCAD preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthetic processes for APIs at lab and kilo scale.
• Design and execute DoE experiments and reaction studies for unit operations.
• Assess scalability, safety, and sustainability for technology transfer to manufacturing.
• Perform material and energy balances, process simulations, and equipment sizing.
• Prepare PFDs, P&IDs, risk assessments, scale-up reports, and tech transfer dossiers.
• Conduct process hazard analysis (PHA), HAZOP studies, and safety evaluations.
• Collaborate with Analytical R&D, QA, and EHS for regulatory readiness.

Skills

Reaction engineering

Kinetics

Unit operations

DoE design

Tech transfer

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

B.E./B.Tech in Chemical Engineering

M.E./M.Tech in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

ChemCAD

Job description

Job Title: Chemical Process Engineer API R&D

Location: Kolkata
Department: Research & Development (API)
Reporting To: R&D Manager / Head Process Development
Employment Type: Full-Time

Role Overview

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Chemical Engineer to join our API R&D team. The role involves developing and optimizing chemical processes, ensuring scalability, safety, and efficiency, and supporting seamless technology transfer to manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthetic processes for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) at lab and kilo scale in collaboration with chemists and process scientists.
• Design and execute experiments using Design of Experiments (DoE) and conduct reaction engineering studies for critical unit operations.
• Assess process scalability, safety, and sustainability to enable efficient technology transfer to manufacturing plants.
• Perform material and energy balances, process simulations, and equipment sizing.
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive process documentation, including PFDs, P&IDs, risk assessments, scale-up reports, and technology transfer dossiers.
• Conduct and participate in process hazard analysis (PHA), HAZOP studies, and safety evaluations.
• Troubleshoot issues related to scale-up and manufacturing in coordination with production teams.
• Support preparation of regulatory documentation, including DMFs and QbD filings.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as Analytical R&D, Quality Assurance, and EHS.
• Stay updated with and apply modern API manufacturing technologies such as flow chemistry, continuous processing, and photochemistry.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering (B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech).
• 5–8 years of experience in API process development or pharmaceutical R&D.
• Strong knowledge of chemical reaction engineering, kinetics, and unit operations.
• Familiarity with cGMP, ICH guidelines, QbD principles, and regulatory requirements for APIs.
• Hands-on experience with lab-scale and kilo-lab equipment (reactors, filtration, drying systems).
• Experience with process simulation tools such as Aspen Plus, ChemCAD, or equivalent is preferred.