Process Development Engineer

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Life insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Process Development Engineer to optimize and scale up pharmaceutical manufacturing processes in Mahikeng, South Africa. You will design, develop, and validate processes, ensuring GMP compliance and translating lab discoveries into robust production.

You will collaborate with R&D, QA, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful technology transfer and process implementation, requiring a chemical/biochemical engineering background and proven scale-up

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or related field.
• Proven experience in process development and scale-up in pharma/biotech/chemical industry.
• Strong understanding of GMP and relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Experience with process modeling, simulation, and SPC is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Ability to work in a team and manage projects within budget and timeline in Mahikeng.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize chemical/biological manufacturing processes for APIs and intermediates.
• Scale up from lab to pilot plant and to commercial manufacturing scales.
• Conduct process validation studies and prepare GMP-compliant reports.
• Troubleshoot technical issues in process development and manufacturing.
• Develop and implement process control strategies for product quality.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, QA, and engineering for technology transfer.

Skills

Analytical

Problem-solving

Project management

Teamwork

Education

Chemical Engineering

Biochemical Engineering

Tools

Process modeling

Simulation

SPC

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Process Development Engineer to optimize and scale up manufacturing processes for their pharmaceutical products in Mahikeng . This role is critical for translating laboratory-scale discoveries into robust, efficient, and commercially viable manufacturing operations. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and validating manufacturing processes, ensuring they meet stringent quality, safety, and regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will possess a strong engineering background coupled with an understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing principles.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize chemical and/or biological manufacturing processes for pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs.
• Scale up processes from laboratory to pilot plant and ultimately to commercial manufacturing scales.
• Conduct process validation studies and prepare validation reports in compliance with GMP requirements.
• 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, manufacturing, quality assurance, and engineering teams to ensure successful technology transfer and process implementation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven experience in process development and scale‑up within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or chemical industry.
• Strong understanding of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Experience with process modeling, simulation, and statistical process control (SPC) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and manage projects within budget and timeline constraints in Mahikeng.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical aid, retirement fund, and life insurance benefits.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, further education, and attending industry conferences.
• A stimulating work environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement in pharmaceutical manufacturing.