Lead Chemical Engineer - Remote Process Development

Placements24; Kempton Park; Remote; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Continuous learning

Remote work flexibility

Global project leadership

Team-building activities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Chemical Engineer for a fully remote role in South Africa to drive innovation in process development from lab through scale-up. You will design, model, and optimise emerging chemical technologies across global teams, leveraging digital tools to achieve breakthrough results.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in process development or chemical engineering, with strong expertise in Aspen Plus or CHEMCAD.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering required.
• 7+ years in process development or chemical engineering roles.
• Experience with Aspen Plus or CHEMCAD for process simulation.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptualisation, design and development of novel chemical processes from lab to pilot and commercial scale.
• Utilise advanced process modelling and simulation tools to predict performance and identify optimisation opportunities.
• Oversee data from experimental studies and pilot plant trials conducted remotely or at facilities.
• Develop process documentation including P&IDs and operating manuals.

Skills

Process design

Scale-up

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

CHEMCAD

Job description

About the Role

Join Our client as a Lead Chemical Engineer, a fully remote position focusing on cutting-edge process development. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced professional to drive innovation in chemical process design and optimisation from anywhere in South Africa. This role is crucial for conceptualising, developing, and scaling new chemical technologies that will shape the future of our industry. You will work independently and collaboratively with global teams, leveraging digital tools and advanced methodologies to achieve breakthrough results. The ideal candidate thrives in a remote-first environment, possesses exceptional analytical skills, and has a deep understanding of chemical engineering principles. This is an unparalleled opportunity to make a significant impact on our product pipeline and operational excellence while enjoying the flexibility of a remote career. Our client is committed to fostering a culture of innovation and providing the resources necessary for success in a distributed work setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualisation, design, and development of novel chemical processes, from lab scale to pilot and commercial scale.
• Utilise advanced process modelling and simulation tools to predict performance and identify optimisation opportunities.
• Oversee and interpret data from experimental studies and pilot plant trials conducted remotely or at designated facilities.
• Develop comprehensive technical documentation, including process flow diagrams, P&IDs, and operational manuals.
• Collaborate closely with research scientists, other engineers, and project managers across different time zones.
• Ensure all developed processes adhere to stringent safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges encountered during process development and scale-up.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in chemical engineering technologies and propose innovative solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers in best practices for remote process development.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in process development, R'D, or chemical engineering roles.
• Demonstrated expertise in chemical process design, scale-up, and troubleshooting.
• Advanced proficiency with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, CHEMCAD).
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively and independently in a remote setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, essential for remote collaboration.
• Experience with statistical analysis and Design of Experiments (DOE) is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with various chemical unit operations and reaction engineering.
• Must have a reliable internet connection and be legally authorised to work remotely within South Africa.

Benefits

• This role offers a highly competitive salary and performance incentives.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits are provided.
• We support continuous learning through online courses, virtual conferences, and professional memberships.
• Enjoy unparalleled flexibility and the ability to work from your chosen location.
• Opportunities for leadership in global, impactful projects are abundant.
• Our client fosters a culture of trust, autonomy, and innovation, empowering employees to excel.
• Regular virtual team-building activities ensure strong collaboration and camaraderie.