Chemical Process Development Engineer - Pilot Scale & R&D

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Job summary

Placements24 in Paarl, Western Cape, seeks a Chemical Process Development Engineer to drive lab and pilot-scale synthesis development. You will scale chemist-driven concepts, optimize parameters, and ensure robust, safe, and economically viable processes for commercial production.

The role involves designing experiments, developing scalable processes, analyzing data, and collaborating with R&D chemists, engineers and production teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 3–5 years in chemical process development, scale-up, or R&D.
• Hands-on experience with lab equipment and pilot plant operations.
• Proficiency with process simulation software (Aspen Plus, Chemcad).
• Strong knowledge of kinetics, thermodynamics, and reaction engineering.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills; able to work independently and in teams.
• Good written and verbal communication; familiarity with SHE.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments for process development at lab and pilot scales.
• Develop scalable, robust chemical processes for new products.
• Analyze data, interpret results, and propose process improvements.
• Troubleshoot issues during development and scale-up phases.
• Develop process models and simulations to predict performance.
• Prepare PFDs, safety assessments, and technical reports.
• Collaborate with R&D chemists, engineers, and production teams.
• Ensure SHE standards are followed in all development activities.
• Assist technology transfer of processes to manufacturing.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and documentation.

Skills

Process development

Scale-up

Data analysis

Experimental design

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Safety assessment

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

Chemcad

Job description

Placements24 in Paarl, Western Cape, seeks a Chemical Process Development Engineer to drive lab and pilot-scale synthesis development. You will scale chemist-driven concepts, optimize parameters, and ensure robust, safe, and economically viable processes for commercial production.

The role involves designing experiments, developing scalable processes, analyzing data, and collaborating with R&D chemists, engineers and production teams.