Lead Process Engineer - Pharmaceutical Intermediates

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, SA seeks a Lead Process Engineer to oversee process development and optimization for pharmaceutical intermediates in a hybrid work setup.

You will translate research into scalable manufacturing processes, ensure cGMP compliance, and lead teams across R&D, QA, and Manufacturing, driving safety and regulatory submissions.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of process engineering experience in pharmaceutical or fine chemical industry.
• Experience with process development and scale-up of complex chemical syntheses.
• In-depth knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
• Proficiency in process simulation and modeling software (e.g., Aspen Plus).
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction engineering, kinetics, and thermodynamics.
• Experience with analytical techniques for process monitoring and control.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and leadership skills.
• Effective communication and presentation abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead process development activities for pharmaceutical intermediates from lab scale to commercial production.
• Design, scale-up, and optimize chemical synthesis processes, ensuring yield, purity, and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop and validate process operating procedures and control strategies.
• Conduct Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality Assurance, and Manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration and regulatory compliance.
• Troubleshoot process issues, perform root cause analyses, and implement corrective actions.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, validation documents, and regulatory submissions.
• Mentor and guide junior process engineers and technicians.
• Stay current with advancements in pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies and cGMP guidelines.

Skills

Process engineering

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing pharmaceutical company, is seeking a dynamic Lead Process Engineer to oversee process development and optimization for pharmaceutical intermediates . This hybrid role, based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA , requires a blend of on-site strategic work and remote flexibility. You will be responsible for translating research findings into scalable and efficient manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory standards. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in chemical engineering within the pharmaceutical sector, a strong understanding of cGMP, and excellent leadership skills. This is a key position contributing directly to the company's innovative pipeline and manufacturing excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead process development activities for pharmaceutical intermediates from lab scale to commercial production.
• Design, scale-up, and optimize chemical synthesis processes, ensuring yield, purity, and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop and validate process operating procedures and control strategies.
• Conduct Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality Assurance, and Manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration and regulatory compliance.
• Troubleshoot process issues, perform root cause analyses, and implement corrective actions.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, validation documents, and regulatory submissions.
• Mentor and guide junior process engineers and technicians.
• Stay current with advancements in pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies and cGMP guidelines.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in process engineering within the pharmaceutical or fine chemical industry.
• Demonstrated experience with process development and scale-up of complex chemical syntheses.
• In-depth knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
• Proficiency in process simulation and modeling software (e.g., Aspen Plus).
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction engineering, kinetics, and thermodynamics.
• Experience with analytical techniques for process monitoring and control.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and leadership skills.
• Effective communication and presentation abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, generous paid time off, and significant opportunities for professional development and career advancement. You will work in a stimulating and innovative environment in Nelspruit . The hybrid model allows for a balanced approach to work and personal life. Join a company committed to improving global health through high-quality pharmaceutical products. This is an excellent opportunity to lead critical process engineering initiatives.