Chemical Process Development Engineer - Sustainable Technologies

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement savings plans

Professional development opportunities

Fully remote role

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Chemical Process Development Engineer to join a fully remote team from Paarl, Western Cape, ZA. Lead the research, design, and optimization of sustainable chemical processes, collaborating with scientists and engineers to translate lab breakthroughs into scalable industrial applications.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering (Masters/PhD preferred) with 3–7 years in process development, with strong catalysis, reaction engineering, and separation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 3-7 years of experience in chemical process development with a focus on sustainability.
• Strong knowledge of catalysis, reaction engineering, and separation technologies.
• Experience with process simulation and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize novel chemical processes focusing on sustainability and environmental impact reduction.
• Research green chemistry principles, alternative feedstocks, and renewable energy integration.
• Design and conduct experiments to assess feasibility, efficiency, and safety.
• Use process simulation and modeling tools to analyze and optimize new process designs.
• Scale-up laboratory-developed processes to pilot and commercial scale.
• Collaborate with research teams to implement innovative sustainable technologies.
• Analyze process data and troubleshoot issues during development and scale-up phases.
• Prepare detailed technical reports and presentations for stakeholders.
• Ensure all development activities comply with safety and environmental regulations.
• Stay abreast of advancements in sustainable chemical engineering.

Skills

Catalysis

Reaction engineering

Separation tech

Data analysis

Remote collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

Process simulation software

Data analysis tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively seeking a talented and innovative Chemical Process Development Engineer focused on sustainable technologies to join their fully remote team. This role is central to our client's mission of developing environmentally friendly chemical processes and products. You will be instrumental in the research, design, and optimization of novel processes that minimize environmental impact and resource consumption. This position requires a strong understanding of green chemistry principles, catalysis, and advanced separation techniques. You will collaborate virtually with a dedicated team of scientists and engineers, translating laboratory breakthroughs into scalable, sustainable industrial applications. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional analytical skills, a creative mindset, and a passion for driving positive environmental change through chemical engineering. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the future of sustainable chemistry while enjoying the complete flexibility and work-life balance afforded by a fully remote position, from our base in **Paarl, Western Cape, ZA**.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize novel chemical processes with a focus on sustainability and environmental impact reduction.
• Research and evaluate green chemistry principles, alternative feedstocks, and renewable energy integration.
• Design and conduct experiments to assess process feasibility, efficiency, and safety.
• Utilize process simulation and modeling tools to analyze and optimize new process designs.
• Scale-up laboratory-developed processes to pilot and commercial scale.
• Collaborate with research teams to identify and implement innovative sustainable technologies.
• Analyze process data and troubleshoot issues during development and scale-up phases.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, documentation, and presentations for stakeholders.
• Ensure all development activities comply with safety and environmental regulations.
• Stay abreast of advancements in sustainable chemical engineering and related fields.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline; Master's or PhD preferred.
• 3-7 years of experience in chemical process development, with a demonstrated focus on sustainable or green chemistry.
• Strong knowledge of catalytic processes, reaction engineering, and separation technologies.
• Experience with process simulation software and data analysis tools.
• Understanding of life cycle assessment (LCA) principles is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and research skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective remote teamwork.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a virtual environment.
• Passion for environmental sustainability and green technologies.
• Familiarity with pilot plant operations and scale-up methodologies.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary.
• Comprehensive health benefits.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development.
• This is a fully remote role, providing the ultimate flexibility for work and personal life integration.

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to making a positive environmental impact, supported by our **Paarl, Western Cape, ZA** operational base.