Junior Process Engineer - Organic Synthesis

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first team

Training & development

Competitive salary

Job summary

Placements24's client, a chemical company focused on organic synthesis, seeks a junior Process Engineer for a remote-first team. Recent graduates or early-career engineers will assist design, optimization, and troubleshooting of chemical processes and collaborate with senior engineers to scale new routes for production.

You will perform process simulations, data analysis, and prepare PFDs and mass balances, while contributing to safety assessments and technical documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Recent graduate or 1–3 years of experience in process engineering.
• Strong foundation in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and reaction kinetics.

Responsibilities

• Assist senior engineers in designing and developing chemical processes for organic synthesis.
• Conduct process simulations and data analysis to evaluate performance and identify optimization opportunities.
• Support scale-up of laboratory processes to pilot and commercial scale under guidance.
• Prepare process documentation including PFDs and mass balances, and safety assessments.
• Collaborate effectively with team members through virtual communication channels.

Skills

Analytical skills

Independent work

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Process simulation software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an innovative chemical company specializing in organic synthesis, is seeking an eager and bright Junior Process Engineer to join their entirely remote team. This is an exceptional opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career engineer to gain hands-on experience in designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting chemical processes from the ground up. Working within a remote-first environment, you will collaborate closely with senior engineers and research scientists, contributing to the development of novel synthetic routes and scaling them for efficient production. You will be involved in process simulations, data analysis, and the preparation of technical documentation, all managed through virtual collaboration tools. The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles, a keen analytical mind, and a passion for organic chemistry and process development. We are looking for a self-motivated individual who thrives in a dynamic, remote setting and is eager to learn and grow within a supportive, innovative team.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist senior engineers in the design and development of chemical processes for organic synthesis.
• Conduct process simulations and data analysis to evaluate process performance and identify optimization opportunities.
• Support the scale-up of laboratory processes to pilot and commercial scale under guidance.
• Prepare process documentation, including PFDs, mass balance calculations, and safety assessments.
• Participate in troubleshooting efforts for process issues and deviations.
• Learn and apply process safety principles to all assigned tasks.
• Assist in the preparation of technical reports and project updates.
• Collaborate effectively with team members through virtual communication channels.
• Stay updated on relevant chemical engineering principles and organic chemistry advancements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Recent graduate or 1-3 years of experience in process engineering, ideally with exposure to organic synthesis.
• Solid understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals (thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, reaction kinetics).
• Familiarity with process simulation software is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, crucial for remote work.
• Ability to work independently and proactively in a remote environment.
• Eagerness to learn and contribute to a collaborative team.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail.

Benefits

This fully remote position offers a competitive starting salary, comprehensive benefits, and excellent training and development opportunities. You will gain invaluable experience in organic synthesis process engineering within a cutting-edge company. The remote-first culture provides significant flexibility and autonomy. Join a team committed to innovation and scientific excellence, contributing to groundbreaking chemical advancements from anywhere.