Lead Process Development Engineer

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Career advancement

Paid time off

Bonus opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Nelspruit seeks a Lead Process Development Engineer to optimize chemical processes from lab scale to pilot and production, lead a team, and drive scale-up, troubleshooting and continuous improvement for robust manufacturing.

The successful candidate will hold a Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering with 7+ years' experience, strong knowledge of reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and process modeling software, and proven leadership.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in process development, scale-up, and manufacturing in chemical/pharma.
• Strong understanding of reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.
• Experience with process modeling and simulation software.
• Proven leadership with project teams and mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and optimization of chemical manufacturing processes from lab to production.
• Oversee scale-up activities ensuring robust and reproducible methods.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues in process development and manufacturing.
• Develop and implement process control strategies for product quality and consistency.
• Collaborate with R&D, engineering, and operations to define requirements and timelines.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians to foster technical excellence.

Skills

Process development

Leadership

Problem solving

Chemical engineering

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Process modeling software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Process Development Engineer to join their advanced manufacturing and research and development team in Nelspruit . This role is pivotal in optimizing and scaling up chemical processes for new product introductions. You will lead a team of engineers and technicians, focusing on process design, scale-up, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement. This position requires a strong technical background, excellent leadership skills, and a commitment to driving efficiency and innovation in manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of chemical manufacturing processes from laboratory scale to pilot and commercial production.
• Oversee process scale-up activities, ensuring robust and reproducible manufacturing methods.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues encountered during process development and manufacturing.
• Develop and implement process control strategies to ensure product quality and consistency.
• Collaborate with R&D, engineering, and operations teams to define process requirements and project timelines.
• Mentor and guide junior process engineers and technicians, fostering a culture of technical excellence.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in process development, scale-up, and manufacturing within the chemical or pharmaceutical industry.
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.
• Proven experience with process modeling and simulation software.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with experience managing project teams.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a systematic approach to process optimization.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Opportunity to lead critical process development initiatives in Nelspruit .
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and retirement savings plan.
• A dynamic work environment with significant opportunities for career advancement.