Process Development Engineer - Chemical Manufacturing

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Pension plan

Generous leave

Professional development

Access to licensed lab and pilot plant

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging, Gauteng, is seeking a Process Development Engineer to optimize chemical production, scale lab innovations to production, and implement safe, scalable manufacturing methods.

You will collaborate with R&D chemists and production engineers to transfer processes, design PFDs and P&IDs, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring regulatory compliance and quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 5+ years in process development or chemical manufacturing.
• Experience with batch or continuous processing.
• Strong problem-solving and experimental design skills.
• Familiarity with GMP and regulatory requirements.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up chemical manufacturing processes from lab to production.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHA) and implement safety protocols.
• Design experiments to evaluate process variables, optimize yields, and improve product quality.
• Develop and maintain PFDs (Process Flow Diagrams), P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams), and operating procedures.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues that arise during process operation and scale-up.
• Collaborate with R&D chemists and engineers for technology transfer and process validation.
• Evaluate and recommend new process equipment and technologies to enhance efficiency.
• Monitor process performance using statistical methods and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Prepare technical reports, feasibility studies, and CAPEX requests for process improvements.

Skills

Chemical Engineering

Process scale-up

HAZOP

GMP knowledge

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a prominent player in the specialty chemicals manufacturing sector, operating a key facility in Vereeniging, Gauteng . They are looking for a dedicated and innovative Process Development Engineer to join their expanding technical team. This role is pivotal in optimizing existing chemical production processes and developing new, efficient, and scalable manufacturing methods. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles, coupled with practical experience in process scale-up, troubleshooting, and implementation. You will work within a state-of-the-art facility, collaborating with research chemists and production engineers to translate laboratory innovations into successful industrial-scale operations. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to advancements in chemical manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up chemical manufacturing processes from laboratory to pilot plant and full production scale.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHA) and implement safety protocols for new and existing processes.
• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate process variables, optimize yields, and improve product quality.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, including PFDs (Process Flow Diagrams), P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams), and operating procedures.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues that arise during process operation and scale-up.
• Collaborate with R&D chemists and engineers to ensure seamless technology transfer and process validation.
• Evaluate and recommend new process equipment and technologies to enhance efficiency and capability.
• Monitor process performance using statistical methods and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure all process development and operational activities comply with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Prepare technical reports, feasibility studies, and capital expenditure requests for process improvements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in process development, scale-up, or chemical manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and mass transfer principles.
• Experience with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS) is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in conducting hazard and operability studies (HAZOP).
• Experience in a batch or continuous processing environment within the chemical industry.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team.
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to support plant operations or collaborate with other facilities.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Opportunities for professional development, conferences, and further training.
• Access to advanced laboratory and pilot plant facilities.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment focused on innovation.
• Potential for career growth within a leading chemical company.