Lead Chemical Process Development Engineer

Placements24; Cape Town; Presencial; ZAR 1 800 000 - 3 000 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Relocation assistance

Career advancement

Pension/Life insurance

Generous leave

Resumo da oferta

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Chemical Process Development Engineer in Cape Town to drive process innovation from bench to pilot to commercialization. You will lead a senior team, shape manufacturing capabilities, and deliver scalable, compliant processes with a focus on quality and sustainability.

The role requires a PhD or MSc in Chemical Engineering with 10+ years of experience, strong leadership, and proven cross-functional collaboration in global chemical operations.

Qualificações

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering.
• 10+ years in chemical process development.
• Leadership or lead engineer experience.
• Experience scaling lab processes to commercial scale.
• Strong knowledge of reaction engineering, separation processes, and process modeling.
• Familiarity with SPC and DOE.
• Proven project management and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsabilidades

• Lead design, development, and optimization of new and existing chemical processes.
• Mentor and manage a team of process development engineers.
• Oversee pilot plant operations and data analysis.
• Develop PFDs and P&IDs for new processes.
• Perform techno-economic evaluations of improvements and technologies.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Prepare technical proposals and reports for senior management.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, and engineering for technology transfer.
• Drive continuous improvement within the team.

Conhecimentos

Leadership

Process development

Project management

Team mentoring

Communication

DOE

SPC

Negotiation

Formação académica

Master's in Chemical Engineering

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Ferramentas

PFD/P&ID design

Process simulation

Descrição da oferta de emprego

About the Role

Our client is a globally recognized leader in specialty chemicals and is seeking an accomplished Lead Chemical Process Development Engineer to spearhead their process innovation efforts in Cape Town, Western Cape . This senior position is crucial for driving the development of new manufacturing processes and enhancing existing ones to meet increasing market demands for quality and sustainability. You will lead a team of talented engineers, guiding them through the entire lifecycle of process development, from bench-scale experimentation to pilot plant validation and commercial implementation. This role requires a deep understanding of chemical engineering principles, coupled with exceptional leadership and project management skills. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the future of our client's manufacturing capabilities and ensuring their competitive edge.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of novel chemical processes for new and existing products.
• Manage and mentor a team of process development engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Oversee pilot plant operations, including experimental design, data analysis, and troubleshooting.
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs) and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) for new processes.
• Conduct thorough techno-economic evaluations for proposed process improvements and new technologies.
• Ensure all process development activities comply with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Prepare detailed technical proposals, reports, and presentations for senior management and cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, manufacturing, and engineering departments to ensure successful technology transfer.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the process development group.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in chemical process development, with a significant portion in a leadership or lead engineer capacity.
• Demonstrated success in developing and scaling up chemical processes from lab to commercial scale.
• Expertise in reaction engineering, separation processes, and process modeling.
• Strong knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Proven experience in leading and motivating engineering teams.
• Excellent project management skills with a track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with cGMP or other relevant quality management systems is desirable.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure reflecting the seniority of the role.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement within a global organization.
• Relocation assistance may be provided for exceptional candidates.
• Exposure to diverse and challenging projects in the vibrant Cape Town region.
• Retirement fund contributions and life insurance.
• Generous annual leave and public holidays.
• Commitment to employee well-being and professional growth.