Senior Chemical Development Engineer

Placements24; Willows (CA); Remote; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive remote work support

Access to virtual collaboration tools

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Chemical Development Engineer for a fully remote role focused on research, development, and scale-up of novel chemical synthesis routes for pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs. You will collaborate virtually with a world-class R&D team to convert lab concepts to pilot plant production.

The ideal candidate holds a master’s or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Organic Chemistry with 8+ years in process development, DoE, and process simulation (Aspen Plus, gPROMS).

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Organic Chemistry.
• 8+ years of experience in process development and scale-up in pharma or fine chemicals.
• Strong understanding of organic synthesis, kinetics, and thermodynamics.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new chemical synthesis processes for pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments to optimize reaction conditions, yields, and purity.
• Develop scalable processes suitable for pilot plant and commercial manufacturing.
• Perform process hazard analyses and develop safety protocols.
• Utilize process simulation and modeling software to predict performance and identify issues.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists to develop and validate analytical methods.
• Prepare technical reports, development plans, and regulatory submission documents.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges during development and scale-up.
• Mentor junior engineers and chemists.

Skills

Process development

Scale-up

DoE

Process simulation

Aspen Plus

gPROMS

Analytical collaboration

Remote work

Education

Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering or Organic Chemistry

PhD preferred

Tools

Aspen Plus

gPROMS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturer, is seeking a Senior Chemical Development Engineer for their operations near Welkom . This role is dedicated to the research, development, and scale-up of novel chemical synthesis routes. As a fully remote position, you will leverage advanced simulation tools and collaborate virtually with a world-class R&D team to bring new products from laboratory concept to pilot plant production. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking pharmaceutical advancements while enjoying the flexibility of remote work. You will be instrumental in designing robust and efficient manufacturing processes, ensuring scalability and economic viability. Your expertise will drive innovation and enhance our client's pipeline of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new chemical synthesis processes for pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments to optimize reaction conditions, yields, and purity.
• Develop scalable and robust processes suitable for pilot plant and commercial manufacturing.
• Perform process hazard analyses and develop safety protocols for new processes.
• Utilize process simulation and modeling software to predict process performance and identify potential issues.
• Collaborate with analytical chemists to develop and validate analytical methods for process monitoring.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, development plans, and regulatory submission documents.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges during process development and scale-up activities.
• Mentor junior engineers and chemists involved in process development projects.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and methodologies in pharmaceutical process development.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Organic Chemistry.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in process development and scale-up within the pharmaceutical or fine chemical industry.
• Strong understanding of organic synthesis, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamics.
• Proven experience in designing and optimizing multi-step synthesis routes.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, gPROMS).
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DoE) and statistical analysis.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a creative approach to technical challenges.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, particularly in technical report writing.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive remote work support, and significant opportunities for professional growth.
• You will be part of an innovative R&D environment with a focus on cutting-edge pharmaceutical development.
• The fully remote nature of this role provides unparalleled flexibility.
• Our client provides access to advanced virtual collaboration tools, encourages participation in leading scientific conferences, and supports further education.
• We offer a robust benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, along with a generous retirement plan.
• Be a key contributor to life-saving medicines while enjoying a flexible and rewarding career.