Principal Process Engineer - Pharmaceutical Intermediates

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Bonuses and professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Process Engineer for a Sandton, Gauteng facility to drive innovation in pharmaceutical intermediate production. The role focuses on leading design, optimization, and scale-up of complex chemical processes within a cGMP framework.

You will collaborate with R&D, QA, and manufacturing to ensure high-quality outputs while overseeing safety and regulatory compliance. The position is hybrid with both on-site leadership and remote, focused work flexibility.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in process engineering, with pharmaceutical or fine chemical exposure.
• Proven expertise with cGMP regulations and validation principles.
• Strong design, scale-up and optimization skills for complex chemical synthesis.
• Knowledge of reaction engineering, thermodynamics, separations and crystallization.
• Experience with process simulation and data analysis tools and strong leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and optimization of chemical processes for pharmaceutical intermediates with cGMP compliance.
• Design, simulate, and troubleshoot complex processes focusing on yield, purity and scalability.
• Develop process documentation including PFDs, P&IDs, SOPs and validation protocols.
• Conduct Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and implement robust safety measures.
• Oversee scale-up from lab to pilot plant and commercial production.
• Collaborate with R&D, QA and manufacturing to integrate new processes.
• Manage process improvement projects driving efficiency, cost reduction and waste minimization.
• Stay updated on FDA/EMA regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical expertise to teams.

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

Aspen Plus

SuperPro Designer

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturer, is seeking an experienced Principal Process Engineer to drive innovation and efficiency at their **Sandton, Gauteng** facility. This pivotal role involves leading the design, optimization, and scale-up of complex chemical processes for pharmaceutical intermediates. The successful candidate will possess a deep understanding of chemical engineering principles, rigorous quality standards (cGMP), and a proven ability to manage challenging projects. You will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including R&D, quality assurance, and manufacturing, to ensure the seamless production of high-quality pharmaceutical components. This hybrid position offers a balance of on-site strategic involvement in **Sandton, Gauteng**, and remote flexibility for focused work. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact within the pharmaceutical sector, contributing to the development of life-saving medicines.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of chemical processes for the manufacture of pharmaceutical intermediates, ensuring cGMP compliance.
• Design, simulate, and troubleshoot complex chemical processes, focusing on yield, purity, and scalability.
• Develop detailed process documentation, including PFDs, P&IDs, SOPs, and validation protocols.
• Conduct thorough Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and implement robust safety measures.
• Oversee the scale-up of processes from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial production.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of new processes into manufacturing.
• Manage process improvement projects, driving efficiency, cost reduction, and waste minimization.
• Stay updated on regulatory requirements (FDA, EMA) and industry best practices in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical expertise to the broader engineering and operations teams.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in process engineering, with a significant portion within the pharmaceutical or fine chemical industry.
• Demonstrated experience with cGMP regulations and validation principles.
• Proven expertise in process design, scale-up, and optimization for complex chemical synthesis.
• Strong knowledge of reaction engineering, thermodynamics, separation technologies, and crystallization.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, SuperPro Designer) and data analysis tools.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and leadership skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively manage stakeholders.
• Experience with QbD (Quality by Design) principles is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, comprehensive health insurance, retirement plan, performance-based bonuses, and extensive opportunities for professional development and training in pharmaceutical process engineering.
• This hybrid role offers a strategic presence in **Sandton, Gauteng**, combined with valuable remote work flexibility.
• Join a company dedicated to scientific excellence and making a difference in global health, with a culture that fosters innovation and continuous learning.