Chemical Process Engineer - Fermentation Specialist

Placements24; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Incentive program

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Paarl, Western Cape, seeks a Chemical Process Engineer with fermentation expertise to design, operate and optimize large-scale bioprocesses. You will translate lab findings into robust industrial-scale manufacturing, ensuring high yields and product purity.

This onsite role collaborates with biologists to scale bioprocesses for novel biochemicals. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in industrial fermentation or bioprocessing, strong knowledge of bioreactor design, GMP, and

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in process engineering, focused on industrial fermentation or bioprocessing.
• Proven experience in operating and scaling up fermentation processes.
• Solid understanding of microbial physiology, metabolic pathways, and bioreactor design.
• Experience with downstream processing techniques (e.g., filtration, chromatography, extraction) is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of process control systems and data acquisition for bioprocesses.
• Familiarity with GMP and regulatory requirements in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills to work within multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and process modeling tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize industrial fermentation processes for the production of biochemicals.
• Oversee the operation and maintenance of bioreactors, downstream processing equipment, and associated utilities.
• Develop and implement control strategies for fermentation parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrient feeding) to maximize product yield and quality.
• Troubleshoot process deviations and equipment issues, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Collaborate with R&D and upstream teams to define process requirements for new product scale-up.
• Develop and validate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for fermentation and downstream processing operations.
• Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), safety, and environmental regulations relevant to bioprocessing.
• Analyze fermentation data, perform mass balances, and prepare technical reports and recommendations.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies to improve process efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Support process validation activities and regulatory submissions.

Skills

Fermentation scaling

GMP knowledge

Process control systems

Statistical analysis

Data interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical/Biochemical Eng.

Tools

Downstream processing techniques

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking biotechnology firm specializing in bio-based chemicals, is seeking a dedicated Chemical Process Engineer with expertise in fermentation technology to join their team in Paarl, Western Cape. This role is critical for the design, operation, and optimization of large-scale fermentation processes used in the production of novel biochemicals. The successful candidate will work closely with biologists and biochemists to translate laboratory findings into robust, industrial-scale manufacturing processes, ensuring high yields and product purity. This is a vital on-site position supporting the growth of the company's innovative bio-manufacturing capabilities in Paarl.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize industrial fermentation processes for the production of biochemicals.


• Oversee the operation and maintenance of bioreactors, downstream processing equipment, and associated utilities.


• Develop and implement control strategies for fermentation parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrient feeding) to maximize product yield and quality.


• Troubleshoot process deviations and equipment issues, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.


• Collaborate with R&D and upstream teams to define process requirements for new product scale-up.


• Develop and validate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for fermentation and downstream processing operations.


• Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), safety, and environmental regulations relevant to bioprocessing.


• Analyze fermentation data, perform mass balances, and prepare technical reports and recommendations.


• Evaluate and implement new technologies to improve process efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.


• Support process validation activities and regulatory submissions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or a related field.


• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process engineering, with a strong focus on industrial fermentation or bioprocessing.


• Proven experience in operating and scaling up fermentation processes.


• Solid understanding of microbial physiology, metabolic pathways, and bioreactor design.


• Experience with downstream processing techniques (e.g., filtration, chromatography, extraction) is highly desirable.


• Knowledge of process control systems and data acquisition for bioprocesses.


• Familiarity with GMP and regulatory requirements in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.


• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.


• Effective communication and collaboration skills to work within multidisciplinary teams.


• Proficiency in statistical analysis and process modeling tools is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and participation in a company-wide incentive program. Opportunities for professional growth in a rapidly expanding biotechnology sector are significant. This role is based in Paarl, Western Cape, offering a chance to be part of a pioneering team in sustainable chemical production.