Process Development Engineer - Biopharmaceuticals

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus program

Medical and retirement benefits

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly innovative Process Development Engineer for a pioneering biopharmaceutical company in Midrand, Gauteng. This role focuses on developing, optimizing, and scaling up manufacturing processes for novel therapies, bringing life-saving treatments from lab to production.

The ideal candidate has a strong engineering foundation, 5+ years in biopharma process development, and expertise in cell culture, fermentation, purification, and DoE with JMP.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on biopharmaceutical process development experience.
• Strong understanding of up-/downstream processing and scale-up challenges.
• Familiar with regulatory expectations and GMP.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize upstream and downstream bioprocessing steps for therapeutic proteins and antibodies.
• Design and execute experiments to characterize and improve process performance, yield, and quality attributes.
• Scale up processes from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial manufacturing scales.
• Develop and implement process control strategies and CPP definitions.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues and implement corrective actions.
• Prepare detailed technical reports and regulatory documentation.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, QA, and regulatory teams.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and best practices in biopharmaceutical process development.
• Contribute to the design and qualification of new equipment and facilities.

Skills

Bioprocessing

Statistical analysis

Process modeling

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical/Biochemical/Bioengineering

Tools

JMP

DoE

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering biopharmaceutical company, is seeking a highly innovative Process Development Engineer to join their expanding team. This exciting position is located in Midrand, Gauteng, a key technological and business hub. The role focuses on developing, optimizing, and scaling up manufacturing processes for novel biopharmaceutical products. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in bringing life‑saving therapies from the laboratory to commercial production. We are looking for an individual with a strong engineering foundation, a passion for biotechnology, and a proven ability to solve complex process challenges. This is an exceptional opportunity to work at the forefront of biopharmaceutical innovation and contribute to the global supply of essential medicines.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize upstream and downstream bioprocessing steps for therapeutic proteins and antibodies.
• Design and execute experiments to characterize and improve process performance, yield, and quality attributes.
• Scale up processes from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial manufacturing scales.
• Develop and implement process control strategies and critical process parameter (CPP) definitions.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues and implement corrective actions.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, documentation, and presentations for internal review and regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs teams.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and best practices in biopharmaceutical process development.
• Contribute to the design and qualification of new equipment and facilities.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands‑on experience in biopharmaceutical process development.
• Proven experience with cell culture, fermentation, protein purification, or other relevant bioprocessing techniques.
• Strong understanding of process scale‑up principles and associated challenges.
• Proficiency in process modeling and statistical analysis tools (e.g., JMP, DoE).
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and a systematic approach to development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information effectively.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Familiarity with GMP regulations and their application in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, including performance‑based bonuses, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and opportunities for continuous professional development. Employees will have access to state‑of‑the‑art facilities and work on cutting‑edge biopharmaceutical projects. The company promotes a culture of innovation and teamwork in Midrand, Gauteng. This role provides a significant opportunity to impact the development and manufacturing of critical medicines, fostering a rewarding career in a fast‑growing industry.