Chemical Engineer - Polymerization Processes

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Remote work flexibility

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Chemical Engineer to join a remote-ready team focused on scalable polymer manufacturing. You will optimize synthesis, study kinetics, and drive safe, efficient process design from lab to production.

The role emphasizes rigorous data analysis, collaboration with R&D, and ongoing learning in polymer science, with the flexibility to operate from anywhere while supporting East London and global operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 4 years of chemical engineering experience with polymerization or polymer processing.
• Strong understanding of polymer chemistry, reaction engineering and process design.
• Experience with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficient in data analysis and interpretation.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for remote teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize chemical processes for polymer synthesis and production.
• Design and execute experiments to study polymerization kinetics and product properties.
• Perform mass and energy balances, develop P&IDs, assist with equipment specification.
• Collaborate with polymer chemists and R&D scientists in a remote environment.
• Analyze data, interpret results and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Troubleshoot process-related issues and support scale-up activities.
• Ensure all designs and operations comply with safety and environmental standards.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and project documentation.
• Stay updated on advancements in polymer science and engineering.

Skills

Polymer chemistry

Reaction engineering

Process design

Aspen Plus

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a skilled Chemical Engineer with expertise in polymerization processes to join their innovative team. This fully remote position offers the flexibility to work from anywhere while contributing to the development and optimization of advanced polymer manufacturing for applications relevant to East London, Eastern Cape, ZA and beyond. You will play a key role in scaling up laboratory discoveries to industrial production, focusing on efficiency, product quality, and sustainability. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of polymer chemistry, reaction engineering, and process design, along with excellent analytical and communication skills for effective remote collaboration. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the advancement of polymer science in a remote-first setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize chemical processes for the synthesis and production of various polymers.
• Design and execute experiments to study polymerization kinetics, mechanisms, and product properties.
• Perform mass and energy balances, develop P&IDs, and assist with equipment specification.
• Collaborate closely with polymer chemists and R&D scientists in a remote environment.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Troubleshoot process-related issues and support scale-up activities.
• Ensure all process designs and operations adhere to safety and environmental standards.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and project documentation.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in polymer science and engineering.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in chemical engineering, with a focus on polymerization or polymer processing.
• Strong understanding of polymer chemistry, reaction engineering, and process design.
• Experience with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for effective remote teamwork.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote setting.
• Experience with process safety and environmental compliance is desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement savings plan, and generous paid time off. This fully remote role provides excellent work-life balance and the flexibility to work from a location of your choice, relevant to the needs of operations in East London and globally. You will have the opportunity to work on exciting projects in the field of polymer technology. Continuous learning and professional development opportunities will be provided. Join a forward-thinking company at the forefront of material innovation.