Chemical Engineer - Specialty Polymers

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical, dental and retirementBenefits

Relocation assistance

Professional growth and conference_att

Access to state-of-the-art R&D

Career advancement opportunities

Relocation assistance may be available

Contribute to cutting-edge materials

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Chemical Engineer to lead polymer process development at our Nelspruit facility. You will develop and optimize polymerization processes for high-performance polymers used in aerospace, automotive, and electronics.

The role requires a master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Polymer Science with 5+ years in polymer processing, scale-up, and characterization. You will collaborate with researchers and production teams in a dynamic R&D setting.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of polymer process development and scale-up experience.
• Strong knowledge of polymerization mechanisms, kinetics and reactor design.
• Experience with polymer characterization techniques (GPC, DSC, TGA, NMR).
• Proficiency in process simulation and modeling software.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize polymerization processes for specialty polymers.
• Conduct lab experiments and pilot plant trials to validate designs.
• Perform simulations to optimize kinetics and operating conditions.
• Scale up processes from lab to pilot and to production.
• Troubleshoot issues to improve yield, quality, and efficiency.
• Characterize polymer properties and relate to processing parameters.
• Prepare technical reports and process documentation.
• Ensure safety, health and environmental compliance.
• Collaborate with polymer chemists, material scientists, and manufacturing teams.
• Stay updated on polymer science advancements.

Skills

Polymer science

Reaction engineering

Process design

Laboratory experimentation

Data analysis

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering/Polymer Science

Tools

GPC

DSC

TGA

NMR

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneer in advanced materials and specialty chemicals, is seeking a talented Chemical Engineer to join their research and development team focusing on Specialty Polymers . This role is based at their cutting-edge facility in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga . You will be involved in the development, scale-up, and optimization of processes for manufacturing high-performance polymers used in diverse applications, including aerospace, automotive, and electronics. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in polymer chemistry, reaction engineering, and process design, coupled with hands-on experience in laboratory or pilot-scale operations. This is a fantastic opportunity to work at the forefront of material science innovation within a collaborative and scientifically driven environment. The position requires full-time dedication to our operations in Nelspruit .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize polymerization processes for novel specialty polymers.
• Conduct laboratory experiments and pilot plant trials to validate process designs and collect performance data.
• Perform process simulations and modeling to understand reaction kinetics and optimize operating conditions.
• Scale up processes from laboratory to pilot plant and eventually to commercial production.
• Troubleshoot process issues and implement solutions to improve yield, quality, and efficiency.
• Characterize polymer properties and relate them to process parameters.
• Collaborate with polymer chemists, material scientists, and manufacturing personnel.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, research summaries, and process documentation.
• Ensure all activities comply with safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in polymer science and chemical engineering.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant industry experience in polymer process development and scale-up.
• Strong knowledge of polymerization mechanisms, kinetics, and reactor design.
• Experience with polymer characterization techniques (e.g., GPC, DSC, TGA, NMR).
• Proficiency in process simulation and modeling software.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in the specialty chemicals or advanced materials sector is preferred.
• Commitment to working full-time at our facility in Nelspruit.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package aligned with industry standards.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and retirement benefits.
• Generous annual leave and paid holidays.
• Opportunities for professional growth, attending conferences, and continuous learning.
• Access to state-of-the‑art R&D facilities and equipment.
• A dynamic and innovative work culture in Nelspruit.
• Potential for career advancement in a growing field.
• Relocation assistance may be available.
• Contribute to the development of cutting‑edge materials.