Remote Lead Chemical Engineer - Process Innovation

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity / Stock options

Global health benefits

Professional development allowance

Flexible hours & location

Access to cutting-edge R&D resources

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a visionary Lead Chemical Engineer to drive process innovation from a remote location. You will mentor a virtual team, lead critical R&D projects, and translate breakthroughs into practical industrial applications across global sites.

The ideal candidate thrives in an autonomous setting, with deep expertise in chemical engineering, process simulation, and data analytics, plus a passion for advancing green and efficient technologies.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in Chemical Engineering from a top-tier institution.
• 10+ years in chemical process engineering with leadership/ R&D focus.
• Proven track record in developing and commercializing novel processes.
• Expertise in CFD, process simulation, and data analytics.
• Experience with patent development and IP strategy is a plus.
• Strong leadership and remote collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D to develop and implement groundbreaking chemical processes.
• Define strategic roadmaps for process improvement and new product development.
• Provide technical leadership to a global remote team.
• Oversee pilot scale-up and demonstrations using virtual tools.
• Perform techno-economic analyses for new initiatives.
• Present findings and strategies to senior management.

Skills

Leadership

Remote leadership

Strategic thinking

Mentorship

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication

Autonomous work style

Education

PhD or Master's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

CFD

Process simulation software

Data analytics tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an visionary Lead Chemical Engineer to drive process innovation from a remote location. This position is fully remote, allowing you to leverage your expertise from anywhere while leading critical research and development projects. You will be responsible for exploring and implementing novel technologies and methodologies that will redefine our client's manufacturing capabilities. This leadership role requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of chemical engineering principles and a passion for pushing the boundaries of what's possible. You will mentor a virtual team, foster collaboration across departments, and play a pivotal role in shaping the company's technological future. The ideal candidate thrives in an autonomous environment and is adept at managing complex, innovative projects remotely, based in the vicinity of Welkom, Free State .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research, development, and implementation of groundbreaking chemical processes and technologies.
• Define and execute strategic innovation roadmaps for process improvement and new product development.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a global, remote engineering team.
• Oversee the conceptualization and scale-up of pilot and demonstration plants using virtual tools.
• Conduct advanced process modeling, simulation, and data analysis to identify opportunities for breakthrough innovations.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, external partners, and manufacturing sites to integrate new technologies.
• Ensure all innovative processes align with stringent safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Develop comprehensive techno-economic analyses and business cases for new process initiatives.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the engineering team through virtual means.
• Present findings, strategies, and project updates to senior management and key stakeholders.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field from a top-tier institution.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in chemical process engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership or R&D-focused role driving innovation.
• Demonstrated success in developing and commercializing novel chemical processes or technologies.
• Expertise in advanced process simulation, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and data analytics tools.
• Strong understanding of emerging chemical engineering technologies (e.g., AI in process control, advanced separations, green chemistry).
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and virtual collaboration skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex, long-term research projects autonomously.
• Experience in patent development and intellectual property strategy is a significant advantage.
• Ability to think strategically and translate scientific breakthroughs into practical industrial applications.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making capabilities in a remote context.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and executive-level bonus structure.
• Equity or stock options package.
• Comprehensive global health benefits and wellness programs.
• Generous allowance for professional development and conferences.
• Significant flexibility in work hours and location.
• Opportunity to lead impactful, industry-changing projects.
• Access to cutting-edge research and development resources.
• A culture that values innovation and empowers remote leadership.