R&D Chemical Engineer: Innovation, Scale-Up & Impact

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 850,000 - 1,250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Annual bonus

Professional development funding

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an innovative Research and Development Chemical Engineer in Klerksdorp, North West. You will lead lab experiments, design pilot plant trials, and scale up processes to develop new formulations and improve manufacturing efficiency.

The role requires a master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering with at least 5 years in R&D or pilot plant operations, plus strong data analysis and communications skills.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in chemical R&D, process development or pilot plant operations.
• Experience in experimental design and data analysis.
• Strong knowledge of kinetics, reaction engineering and separation technologies.
• Proficiency with laboratory equipment and analytical instruments.
• Experience with process simulation software is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Legal authorization to work in South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Conduct laboratory experiments to develop new chemical formulations and processes.
• Design and execute pilot plant trials to validate process feasibility and collect scale-up data.
• Analyze experimental data using statistical methods and interpret results to guide further research.
• Develop detailed process designs and specifications for new manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, production, and quality assurance.
• Research and evaluate new raw materials and technologies to enhance product performance.
• Prepare technical reports, research proposals, and patent applications.
• Ensure all research and development activities comply with safety and environmental regulations.
• Troubleshoot issues encountered during process development and scale-up.
• Stay informed about scientific literature, industry trends, and competitive technologies.

Skills

Experimental design

Data analysis

Communication skills

Project management

Teamwork

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Process simulation software

Analytical instruments

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an innovative Research and Development Chemical Engineer in Klerksdorp, North West. You will lead lab experiments, design pilot plant trials, and scale up processes to develop new formulations and improve manufacturing efficiency.

The role requires a master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering with at least 5 years in R&D or pilot plant operations, plus strong data analysis and communications skills.