Process Development Engineer: Scale-Up & Innovation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Process Development Engineer for a leading chemical manufacturer in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The role focuses on optimizing existing processes, developing new manufacturing techniques, and ensuring scalable production capabilities.

You will work with R&D, production, and QA teams across lab work, pilot plant trials, and data analysis to drive projects from concept to commercialization in a safety-conscious environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process development or related industrial role.
• Experience with process simulation software (Aspen Plus, HYSYS) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize chemical processes for efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
• Conduct pilot-scale studies and laboratory experiments to validate designs and gather data.
• Analyze process data to identify improvements and recommend actions.
• Develop and maintain process documentation (P&IDs, SOPs, batch records).
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, and QA to transfer and scale processes.
• Troubleshoot production issues and minimize downtime to maximize yield.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Stay updated on new technologies and best practices in chemical process development.
• Contribute to new product development with process engineering expertise.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Process Development Engineer for a leading chemical manufacturer in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The role focuses on optimizing existing processes, developing new manufacturing techniques, and ensuring scalable production capabilities.

You will work with R&D, production, and QA teams across lab work, pilot plant trials, and data analysis to drive projects from concept to commercialization in a safety-conscious environment.