Process Development Engineer - Durban

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Flexible hours

Access to virtual lab tools

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a dedicated Process Development Engineer to join a remote R&D team based in the Durban region. You will lead development of novel chemical processes from bench to pilot scale, translating lab discoveries into scalable manufacturing approaches.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in chemical kinetics, reaction engineering, and DOE methodologies, with hands-on pilot plant experience and excellent virtual communication skills to collaborate with external partners.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in process development, scale-up and R&D.
• Strong knowledge of kinetics, reaction engineering and separation tech.
• Experience with pilot plant operations and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with DOE and statistical analysis methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving and virtual communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptualization and development of new chemical processes from bench to pilot plant.
• Conduct experimental design and analysis to optimize parameters and yields.
• Scale-up processes from lab to pilot and commercial scales, ensuring feasibility and safety.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for process monitoring and quality control.
• Collaborate with external research partners and internal R&D scientists.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, process descriptions, and safety assessments.

Skills

Chemical kinetics

Reaction engineering

Separation technologies

Pilot plant operations

Design of Experiments

Virtual communication

Education

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dedicated Process Development Engineer to join their innovative research and development team, operating fully remotely and based in the Durban region. This role focuses on the research, design, and piloting of novel chemical processes that will form the foundation of future product lines. You will work on challenging R&D projects, translating laboratory discoveries into scalable and commercially viable manufacturing processes. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking engineer with a passion for innovation and a proven ability to solve complex technical challenges in a virtual environment. This is an exceptional opportunity to drive technological advancement and shape the future of chemical manufacturing from a remote setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization and development of new chemical processes, from bench scale to pilot plant.
• Conduct rigorous experimental design and analysis to optimize process parameters and yields.
• Scale-up processes from laboratory to pilot and commercial scales, ensuring technical feasibility and safety.
• Develop and validate analytical methods for process monitoring and quality control.
• Collaborate closely with external research partners and internal R&D scientists.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, process descriptions, and safety assessments for new developments.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in process development, scale-up, and R&D environments.
• Strong knowledge of chemical kinetics, reaction engineering, and separation technologies.
• Experience with pilot plant operations and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis and Design of Experiments (DOE) methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and proactive approach to technical challenges, with strong virtual communication skills.

Benefits

• Generous annual salary and bonus structure.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexible hours.
• Access to state-of-the-art virtual laboratory and simulation tools.
• Significant investment in professional development and training opportunities.
• Contribution to pioneering research in the chemical industry.