Chemical Engineer - Product Development and Scale-up

Placements24; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 750,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Pension plan

Annual leave

Professional development

Bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 in Randburg, Gauteng, seeks a Chemical Engineer to join the Product Development team. Translate lab discoveries into commercially viable products and processes, from concept and lab-scale to pilot plant trials and scale-up.

You will work with R&D and manufacturing teams in a fast-paced environment, applying DoE and data analysis while ensuring safety and quality standards and staying current with industry trends.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in chemical engineering principles and experimental design.
• Experience with laboratory-scale synthesis and characterization.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to develop and optimize new chemical products and processes.
• Perform laboratory-scale synthesis and characterization of chemical compounds.
• Develop pilot plant strategies and execute trials to validate process feasibility and gather scale-up data.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and prepare technical reports.
• Collaborate with R&D scientists, formulation chemists, and manufacturing teams.
• Identify and troubleshoot technical challenges during product development and scale-up.
• Ensure development activities comply with safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Evaluate raw materials for new formulations.
• Support technology transfer from R&D to manufacturing operations.
• Stay current with scientific literature and industry trends.

Skills

Chemical engineering principles

Experimental design (DoE)

Data analysis

Problem solving

Written & verbal communication

Teamwork in cross-functional teams

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Analytical instrumentation

Job description

Our client, a rapidly growing innovator in the specialty chemicals market, is seeking a talented and ambitious Chemical Engineer to join their Product Development team in Randburg, Gauteng. This role is critical for translating laboratory discoveries into commercially viable products and processes. You will be involved in the entire lifecycle of product development, from initial concept and lab-scale experimentation to pilot plant trials and supporting commercial scale-up. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles, excellent experimental design skills, and a passion for innovation. This position offers a dynamic environment where you can contribute to cutting-edge chemical solutions and gain broad experience across R&D and manufacturing support. The position is located in Randburg, Gauteng, offering excellent access to a vibrant business community.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to develop and optimize new chemical products and processes.
• Perform laboratory-scale synthesis and characterization of chemical compounds.
• Develop pilot plant strategies and execute trials to validate process feasibility and gather scale-up data.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and prepare comprehensive technical reports.
• Collaborate closely with R&D scientists, formulation chemists, and manufacturing teams.
• Identify and troubleshoot technical challenges encountered during product development and scale-up.
• Ensure all development activities comply with safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Evaluate raw materials and assess their suitability for new product formulations.
• Support the transfer of technology from R&D to manufacturing operations.
• Stay current with relevant scientific literature and industry trends.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 2-5 years of experience in product development, process development, or scale-up within the chemical industry.
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and separation processes.
• Experience with experimental design (DoE) and data analysis.
• Familiarity with laboratory equipment and analytical instrumentation.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a hands-on approach.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment.
• Must be eligible to work in South Africa.
• Enthusiasm for innovation and bringing new products to market.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Pension fund and disability cover.
• Opportunities for professional development and attending industry conferences.
• Generous annual leave.
• A collaborative and innovative work culture in Randburg, Gauteng.
• Exposure to a diverse range of chemical applications.