Process Design Engineer - Pharmaceutical Intermediates

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Remote-first culture

Home office stipend

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Process Design Engineer for a fully remote role focused on designing and optimizing APIs and chemical intermediates. The candidate will lead process development, hazard analyses, and scale-up activities while ensuring GMP compliance across global projects.

The ideal candidate has a Master’s in Chemical Engineering or Organic Chemistry, 6+ years in process design, and strong experience with Aspen Plus or Dynochem.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Organic Chemistry.
• 6+ years in process design and scale-up for pharma or fine chemicals.
• GMP and regulatory requirements (FDA/EMA) experience.
• Strong knowledge of chemical synthesis, reaction engineering, and separations.
• Proficient with process simulation tools such as Aspen Plus or Dynochem.
• Experience with Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Design robust chemical processes for pharmaceutical APIs and intermediates.
• Perform PHAs and risk assessments for new processes.
• Model and simulate to optimize reaction conditions and equipment selection.
• Develop PFDs and P&IDs; write batch records and SOPs.
• Support scale-up from lab to pilot and commercial scale.
• Ensure GMP and regulatory compliance; collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, QA, and validation teams in a virtual setting.

Skills

Process design

Scale-up

GMP/regulatory knowledge

Process simulation

PHA

Technical writing

Remote work management

Education

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Organic Chemistry

Tools

Aspen Plus

Dynochem

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a fast-growing pharmaceutical intermediates manufacturer, is seeking a highly skilled Process Design Engineer to join their dedicated, fully remote team. This role is central to the design and optimization of complex chemical synthesis routes for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and their intermediates. You will leverage your expertise in process chemistry, reaction engineering, and scale-up to develop safe, efficient, and compliant manufacturing processes. The ideal candidate is a meticulous and innovative problem-solver with a strong understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and regulatory requirements within the pharmaceutical industry. Working remotely, you will collaborate virtually with a global network of chemists, engineers, and regulatory specialists to bring life-saving medicines to patients faster. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to critical pharmaceutical development projects while enjoying the flexibility of a remote-first work environment. The position demands a rigorous approach to design and a commitment to quality and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop robust chemical processes for pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHAs) and risk assessments for new processes.
• Perform process simulations and modeling to optimize reaction conditions and equipment selection.
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs) and Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).
• Write detailed process descriptions, batch records, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Support process scale-up activities from laboratory to pilot and commercial scale.
• Ensure all process designs comply with GMP, FDA, and other relevant regulatory standards.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, manufacturing, quality assurance, and validation teams in a virtual setting.
• Troubleshoot process deviations and implement corrective actions.
• Stay current with industry best practices, new technologies, and regulatory updates.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Organic Chemistry.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in process design and scale-up within the pharmaceutical or fine chemicals industry.
• Proven experience with GMP environments and regulatory requirements (FDA, EMA).
• Strong understanding of chemical synthesis, reaction engineering, and separation processes.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, Dynochem).
• Experience with Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) methodologies.
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet strict deadlines remotely.
• Familiarity with QbD (Quality by Design) principles is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a competitive salary, performance bonuses, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, and a substantial retirement savings plan.
• Our client provides ongoing professional development opportunities and invests in employee well-being.
• Enjoy the flexibility and autonomy of a remote-first culture, allowing for an excellent work-life balance.
• You will work on cutting-edge pharmaceutical projects, making a tangible contribution to global health from your home office.
• Benefits also include a home office stipend and access to virtual training platforms.
• This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled engineer to advance their career in a dynamic, remote environment near Soweto, Gauteng, ZA .