Process Engineer - Pharmaceutical Intermediates

Placements24; Benoni; On-site; ZAR 750,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement fund contribution

Performance bonus

Job summary

Placements24 in Benoni, Gauteng, seeks a Process Engineer to lead development, optimization, and scale-up of pharmaceutical intermediate processes in a GMP environment. You will ensure safe, efficient operations and regulatory compliance while delivering cost-effective solutions.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelors or Masters in Chemical Engineering with 4–6 years in pharma or fine chemicals, hands-on scale-up, and strong documentation. Proficiency with Aspen Plus or CHEMCAD is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 4–6 years' experience in process engineering within pharma, biotech or fine chemicals.
• Strong understanding of reaction engineering, separations, and unit operations.
• Hands-on experience with process scale-up and tech transfer.
• Familiarity with GMP regulations and process validation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize chemical processes for pharmaceutical intermediates.
• Scale up from lab to pilot and commercial manufacturing.
• Ensure GMP, safety, and environmental compliance.
• Conduct PHAs and implement control measures.
• Collaborate with R&D, analytical development, and manufacturing for tech transfer.
• Document batch records, SOPs, and validation protocols.
• Identify opportunities for yield improvement and cost reduction.
• Support regulatory inspections and audits.

Skills

Chemical reaction engineering

Process scale-up

GMP knowledge

Analytical/problem solving

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

CHEMCAD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, is seeking a highly skilled Process Engineer to join their advanced facility in Benoni, Gauteng . This role is focused on the development, optimization, and scale‑up of processes for the production of critical pharmaceutical intermediates. You will be instrumental in ensuring that processes are safe, efficient, compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and cost‑effective. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles, practical experience in pharmaceutical or fine chemical process development, and a commitment to quality and innovation. This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to contribute to the production of life‑saving medicines.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize chemical processes for the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates.
• Scale up processes from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial manufacturing scales.
• Ensure all processes comply with GMP, safety regulations, and environmental standards.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement appropriate control measures.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues encountered during process development, scale‑up, and manufacturing.
• Develop process documentation, including batch records, SOPs, and validation protocols.
• Collaborate with R&D, analytical development, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful technology transfer.
• Identify and implement opportunities for process improvement, yield enhancement, and cost reduction.
• Stay current with new technologies and best practices in pharmaceutical process engineering.
• Participate in regulatory inspections and audits.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in process engineering within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or fine chemical industry.
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction engineering, separation processes, and unit operations.
• Hands‑on experience with process scale‑up and technology transfer.
• Knowledge of GMP regulations and their application in process development and manufacturing.
• Experience with process safety management and risk assessment methodologies.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, CHEMCAD) is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and documentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with validation of pharmaceutical processes and equipment.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, and a substantial retirement fund contribution.
• This role provides significant opportunities for professional growth, including advanced training, conference attendance, and career advancement within a leading pharmaceutical company.
• You will work with state‑of‑the‑art facilities and contribute to impactful projects.
• Additional benefits include performance‑based bonuses, life insurance, and a supportive work culture that emphasizes innovation and employee well‑wellness.
• Join a team dedicated to improving global health outcomes.