Chemical Engineer - Fermentation Processes

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Biotech field

Professional development

Collaborative team

Advanced facilities

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch seeks a dedicated Chemical Engineer specializing in fermentation to develop, optimize, and scale bioprocesses using state-of-the-art equipment. You will design and monitor fermentation and downstream steps, perform scale-up from lab to pilot and commercial, ensure GMP compliance, and collaborate with a skilled team in a cutting-edge biomanufacturing facility.

Required is a Bachelor's in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering with 3+ years in fermentation, strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years in fermentation process development and scale-up.
• Strong knowledge of microbiology, biochemistry, and mass transfer for bioprocesses.
• Experience with bioreactor operation, process control, and data analysis.
• Familiarity with downstream processing unit operations.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to work in lab and plant environments in Stellenbosch.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize industrial-scale fermentation processes for bioproduct manufacturing.
• Monitor and control fermentation parameters to ensure optimal microbial growth and product yield.
• Perform process scale-up studies from laboratory to pilot and commercial scales.
• Conduct downstream processing design and optimization, including separation and purification techniques.
• Troubleshoot operational issues related to fermentation and downstream processing.
• Ensure GMP and other relevant regulatory standards for biomanufacturing.

Skills

Fermentation development

Bioprocess design

Process scale-up

Data analysis

GMP compliance

Bioreactor operation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Biochemical Eng

Tools

Process control systems

Downstream processing tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dedicated Chemical Engineer with specialized experience in fermentation processes for their facility in Stellenbosch. This role is crucial for developing, optimizing, and scaling up bioprocesses. You will work with state-of-the-art equipment and methodologies to ensure efficient and high-quality production. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of biological and chemical engineering principles applied to fermentation, contributing to innovative product development and manufacturing in a hands‑on, facility‑based role.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize industrial-scale fermentation processes for bioproduct manufacturing.
• Monitor and control fermentation parameters to ensure optimal microbial growth and product yield.
• Perform process scale‑up studies from laboratory to pilot and commercial scales.
• Conduct downstream processing design and optimization, including separation and purification techniques.
• Troubleshoot operational issues related to fermentation and downstream processing.
• Ensure compliance with GMP and other relevant regulatory standards for biomanufacturing.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in fermentation process development and scale‑up.
• Strong knowledge of microbiology, biochemistry, and mass transfer relevant to bioprocesses.
• Experience with bioreactor operation, process control, and data analysis.
• Familiarity with downstream processing unit operations.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to work effectively in a laboratory and plant environment in Stellenbosch.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work in a cutting-edge biotechnology and chemical engineering field.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Collaborative team environment focused on innovation.
• Access to advanced research and manufacturing facilities.