Process Development Engineer - Industrial Chemicals

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Professional growth

Opportunities in diverse projects

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging, Gauteng, is seeking a dynamic Process Development Engineer to join our client’s team. The role blends on-site collaboration with remote flexibility in a hybrid work model, focusing on developing, optimizing, and scaling up chemical processes.

You will design lab and pilot plant experiments, analyze data, and create robust process designs using PFDs and P&IDs. Strong thermodynamics and reaction engineering knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering required.
• Minimum 6 years in process development, scale-up, and optimization within chemical industry.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (Aspen HYSYS, CHEMCAD) and data analysis tools.
• Hands-on experience with lab equipment and pilot plant operations desirable.
• Strong understanding of reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and mass transfer.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute laboratory and pilot plant experiments to develop or improve chemical processes.
• Analyze data, interpret results, and develop robust process designs.
• Create and refine PFDs and P&IDs for processes.
• Perform process simulations to evaluate operating conditions and configurations.
• Specify and select process equipment for new or modified processes.
• Conduct PHAs to identify and mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with researchers, operations, and safety engineers throughout development lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues during development and scale-up.
• Prepare detailed technical reports and recommendations for plant implementation.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards.

Skills

Process development

Scale-up

Laboratory & pilot operations

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen HYSYS

CHEMCAD

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dynamic Process Development Engineer to join their team based in Vereeniging. This role involves a hybrid work model, offering a blend of on-site collaboration and remote flexibility. You will play a key role in developing, optimizing, and scaling up processes for a range of industrial chemicals. This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer eager to contribute to process innovation and efficiency improvements within a leading chemical manufacturing company in the Gauteng region. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of chemical engineering principles, hands-on experience with process development, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Join us to drive advancements in industrial chemical production.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute laboratory and pilot plant experiments to develop new chemical processes or improve existing ones.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and develop robust process designs.
• Create and refine Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).
• Perform process simulations to evaluate different operating conditions and equipment configurations.
• Specify and select process equipment suitable for new or modified chemical processes.
• Conduct Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) to identify and mitigate risks associated with new processes.
• Collaborate with research scientists, operations teams, and safety engineers throughout the process development lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges encountered during process development and scale-up.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, process documentation, and recommendations for plant implementation.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety, environmental, and quality standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in process development, scale-up, and optimization within the chemical industry.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen HYSYS, CHEMCAD) and data analysis tools.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment and pilot plant operations is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of reaction engineering, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and mass transfer.
• Knowledge of P&ID development and process equipment selection.
• Familiarity with process safety principles and hazard assessment techniques.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, enabling collaboration with diverse teams.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Hybrid work arrangement for a balanced work-life integration.
• Opportunities for professional growth and continuous learning.
• Be part of a company committed to innovation and operational excellence.
• Work on diverse and challenging process development projects.
• Contribute to the industrial chemical sector in Vereeniging.