Process Development Engineer

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 650,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement planning

Professional growth opportunities

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Process Development Engineer in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. The role covers developing and scaling new chemical processes from lab to pilot to production within a hybrid work model.

The ideal candidate holds a Chemical Engineering degree with 3–5 years of process development experience, strong lab skills, and proficiency in Aspen HYSYS/Plus, plus familiarity with PSM and data analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 3-5 years of experience in process development, scale-up, or chemical manufacturing.
• Hands-on laboratory and pilot plant experience.
• Experience with process simulation software (Aspen HYSYS/Plus) desirable.
• Familiarity with Process Safety Management (PSM).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize chemical processes for new product introductions with safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Conduct laboratory experiments and pilot plant trials to gather process data.
• Scale-up processes from laboratory to pilot and production scales, addressing scale-up challenges.
• Design and specify process equipment for pilot and production units.
• Develop operating procedures, P&IDs, and process safety information for new processes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues in development and scale-up.
• Collaborate with R&D chemists, plant engineers, and production teams.
• Analyze data and prepare reports and presentations.
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Evaluate new technologies for process improvement.

Skills

Lab skills

Process scale-up

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen HYSYS/Plus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a progressive specialty chemicals manufacturer, is seeking a talented Process Development Engineer to join their innovative team in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. This role is central to the development and scaling-up of new chemical products and processes from laboratory bench to pilot plant and eventually to commercial production. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles, excellent laboratory skills, and experience in process scale-up challenges. This hybrid position requires a balance of hands-on experimental work, process design, and technical documentation. You will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects, contributing to the company's growth and technological advancement within the Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape region. We are committed to fostering a collaborative environment where innovation thrives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize chemical processes for new product introductions, focusing on safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Conduct laboratory experiments and pilot plant trials to gather critical process data.
• Scale-up processes from laboratory to pilot and commercial scale, identifying and mitigating scale-up challenges.
• Design and specify process equipment for pilot and production units.
• Develop operating procedures, P&IDs, and process safety information for new processes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues encountered during process development and scale-up.
• Collaborate with R&D chemists, plant engineers, and production teams.
• Analyze experimental data and process performance, preparing comprehensive reports and presentations.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies for process improvement and innovation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 3-5 years of experience in process development, scale-up, or chemical manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment and pilot plant operations.
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and mass transfer.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen HYSYS/Plus) is desirable.
• Familiarity with Process Safety Management (PSM) principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid model, balancing remote analysis with on-site experimental work in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.
• A proactive attitude and a passion for innovation.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and retirement planning, and opportunities for professional growth and development.
• This hybrid role provides a dynamic work environment, combining the flexibility of remote work with essential on-site engagement in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.
• You will be part of a collaborative team focused on bringing innovative chemical solutions to market.
• We support continuous learning through training programs and exposure to diverse projects.