Process Development Engineer

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 650,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Professional development

Modern facilities

Safe and inclusive workplace

Richards Bay location

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an innovative Process Development Engineer to join their Richards Bay operations, KwaZulu-Natal. The role focuses on R&D, scale-up, and optimization of chemical processes from lab to pilot plant, with collaboration across R&D, production, and engineering teams.

You will design experiments, develop P&IDs, run process simulations such as Aspen Plus, and prepare technical reports while ensuring safety compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 3-5 years of experience in process development, scale-up, or R&D within the chemical industry.
• Experience with pilot plant operations and experimental design.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus).
• Strong understanding of chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, and mass transfer.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to develop and optimize chemical processes.
• Scale up processes from laboratory to pilot plant and production scale.
• Develop P&IDs and equipment specifications for pilot and production units.
• Perform process modeling and simulation to predict performance and identify improvements.
• Troubleshoot process issues encountered during development and scale-up.
• Write detailed technical reports documenting experimental results and process designs.
• Collaborate with safety and environmental teams to ensure process compliance.
• Manage pilot plant operations and data acquisition.
• Present findings and recommendations to project teams and management.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Teamwork

Independent work

Education

Chemical Engineering degree (BEng/BSc+MEng)

Tools

Aspen Plus

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an innovative Process Development Engineer to join their expanding operations in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This role is focused on the research, development, and scale-up of new chemical processes and the enhancement of existing ones. You will work in state-of-the-art facilities, translating laboratory findings into viable industrial applications. The position requires a strong scientific background, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage projects from concept through to pilot plant trials. Collaboration with R&D scientists, production teams, and engineering staff will be crucial for success. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the innovation pipeline of a leading chemical manufacturer in a key industrial hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to develop and optimize chemical processes.
• Scale up processes from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial scale.
• Develop P&IDs and equipment specifications for pilot and production units.
• Perform process modeling and simulation to predict performance and identify improvements.
• Troubleshoot process issues encountered during development and scale-up.
• Write detailed technical reports documenting experimental results and process designs.
• Collaborate with safety and environmental teams to ensure process compliance.
• Manage pilot plant operations and data acquisition.
• Present findings and recommendations to project teams and management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 3-5 years of experience in process development, scale-up, or R&D within the chemical industry.
• Experience with pilot plant operations and experimental design.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus).
• Strong understanding of chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, and mass transfer.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including medical aid and a provident fund.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development are provided through internal training and external courses.
• Employees work in a modern, well-equipped facility.
• This role offers the chance to be at the forefront of chemical process innovation.
• The Richards Bay location provides access to a vibrant industrial community.
• We provide a safe and inclusive work environment.