Lead Chemical Engineer - R&D Innovation

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus structure

Health + retirement benefits

IP development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch seeks a visionary Lead Chemical Engineer to head R&D Innovation, guiding projects from concept to pilot-scale validation and shaping the company’s product portfolio.

You will lead a team of researchers and engineers, drive novel chemistry and process intensification, and collaborate with manufacturing and business teams to align with market needs.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's in Chemical Engineering.
• ≥10 years in chemical R&D, ≥3 in leadership.
• Proven track record of commercialization of chemical products/processes.
• Expertise in reaction engineering, catalysis, separation technologies, or process intensification.
• Strong project management and budgeting experience.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of R&D engineers and scientists in developing new chemical products and processes.
• Conceptualize, design, and execute innovative research projects focused on novel chemistry and process intensification.
• Conduct feasibility studies, lab experiments, and pilot plant trials to evaluate new technologies.
• Oversee scale-up from laboratory to pilot and commercial scale.
• Collaborate with business development and manufacturing to align R&D with market needs and production capabilities.
• Stay informed about emerging trends and advancements in chemical engineering.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Project management

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Master's in Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an visionary and experienced Lead Chemical Engineer to spearhead their Research & Development Innovation initiatives in Stellenbosch . This senior role demands a creative mindset and a deep understanding of chemical processes to explore and develop novel technologies and products. You will lead a team of researchers and engineers, guiding projects from conceptualization through to pilot-scale validation, pushing the boundaries of chemical science. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of the company's product portfolio and drive technological advancements in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of R&D engineers and scientists in the development of new chemical products and processes.
• Conceptualize, design, and execute innovative research projects focused on novel chemistry and process intensification.
• Conduct feasibility studies, laboratory experiments, and pilot plant trials to evaluate new technologies.
• Oversee the scale-up of promising processes from laboratory to pilot and commercial scale.
• Collaborate with business development and manufacturing teams to align R&D efforts with market needs and production capabilities.
• Stay informed about emerging trends and advancements in chemical engineering and related fields.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in chemical R&D, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and commercializing new chemical products or processes.
• Expertise in reaction engineering , catalysis, separation technologies, or process intensification.
• Strong project management skills and experience managing R&D budgets.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communication abilities.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary and generous bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and life insurance benefits.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and intellectual property development.
• Access to advanced research facilities and collaboration with industry leaders.
• A dynamic and innovative work culture that fosters creativity and exploration.