Process Development Engineer - Chemicals

Placements24; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 650,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Career training

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Process Development Engineer to enhance chemical manufacturing capabilities in Tembisa. You will translate laboratory discoveries into viable, large-scale production methods, working with plant operations and R&D teams to drive efficiency and product innovation.

The role emphasizes continuous improvement, scale-up from bench to pilot to production, and collaboration in a safety-conscious environment that values growth and hands-on engineering expertise.

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• 3-5 years of experience in process development, scale-up, or manufacturing support in the chemical industry.
• Proficiency in process simulation software and statistical analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of unit operations, process control and material science implications.
• Familiarity with GMP or ISO standards for chemical manufacturing.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and scaling-up of new chemical processes from bench scale to pilot and commercial production.
• Optimize existing processes to improve yield, reduce costs, enhance safety, and minimize environmental impact.
• Conduct thorough process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement mitigation strategies.
• Generate detailed process flow diagrams (PFDs) and piping & instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).
• Provide technical support to plant operations, troubleshoot process deviations and recommend corrective actions.
• Manage projects related to process improvements and new technology integration, ensuring timely completion and adherence to budget.

Skills

Process simulation

Statistical analysis

Unit operations

Process control

Material science

GMP/ISO knowledge

Project management

Analytical thinking

Education

Chemical Engineering degree

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a dedicated Process Development Engineer to enhance their chemical manufacturing capabilities in Tembisa . This role focuses on the continuous improvement and adaptation of existing chemical processes, as well as the development of new ones to meet market demands and technological advancements. You will work closely with plant operations and research teams to translate laboratory discoveries into viable, large-scale production methods. This is an exciting chance to contribute to cutting-edge chemical engineering projects and apply your expertise in a hands-on environment, promoting operational efficiency and product innovation within a supportive and growth-oriented company culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and scaling-up of new chemical processes from bench scale to pilot and commercial production.
• Optimize existing processes to improve yield, reduce costs, enhance safety, and minimize environmental impact.
• Conduct thorough process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement mitigation strategies.
• Generate detailed process flow diagrams (PFDs) and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).
• Provide technical support to plant operations, troubleshooting process deviations and recommending corrective actions.
• Manage projects related to process improvements and new technology integration, ensuring timely completion and adherence to budget.

Requirements

• Degree in Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• 3-5 years of experience in process development, scale-up, or manufacturing support within the chemical industry.
• Proficiency in process simulation software and statistical analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of unit operations , process control, and material science principles.
• Familiarity with GMP or ISO standards relevant to chemical manufacturing.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Benefits

• Attractive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits.
• Paid time off and holiday leave.
• Opportunities for career advancement and specialized training in chemical engineering.
• A collaborative and safety-conscious work environment.