R&D Chemical Engineer - New Product Development

Placements24; Klerksdorp; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Budget for professional development

Cutting-edge projects

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 in Klerksdorp is seeking an innovative R&D Chemical Engineer to join the New Product Development team. You will design and conduct experiments, scale lab findings to pilot and commercial production, and contribute to the portfolio and market position in the North West.

Requires a Master’s or PhD in Chemical Engineering with 5+ years in R&D, expertise in experimental design, process development, scale‑up, and strong writing skills to document results and patents.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or related field with a strong R&D focus.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in R&D, ideally within the specialty chemicals sector.
• Proven experience in experimental design, process development, and scale-up.
• Proficiency with laboratory equipment and analytical instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of intellectual property and patent processes.
• Excellent scientific curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and technical writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and execute laboratory and pilot-scale experiments to develop new chemical products and improve existing formulations.
• Analyze experimental data using statistical methods and advanced analytical techniques to determine product feasibility and performance characteristics.
• Scale-up laboratory processes to pilot plant and commercial production, ensuring process robustness, safety, and economic viability.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure new products meet market needs and compliance requirements.
• Document research findings, prepare technical reports, and present results to internal stakeholders and management.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies and raw materials that can enhance product performance or reduce manufacturing costs.

Skills

Experimental design

Process development

Scale-up

Analytical instrumentation

Intellectual property

Technical writing

Problem solving

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an innovative R&D Chemical Engineer to join their New Product Development team in Klerksdorp . This role is at the forefront of chemical innovation, focusing on the research, development, and commercialization of novel chemical products and processes. You will leverage your deep understanding of chemical engineering principles to design and conduct experiments, analyze results, and translate laboratory findings into viable commercial applications. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative and scientifically driven individual to make a tangible impact on the company's product portfolio and future market position in the North West province.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and execute laboratory and pilot-scale experiments to develop new chemical products and improve existing formulations.
• Analyze experimental data using statistical methods and advanced analytical techniques to determine product feasibility and performance characteristics.
• Scale-up laboratory processes to pilot plant and commercial production, ensuring process robustness, safety, and economic viability.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure new products meet market needs and compliance requirements.
• Document research findings, prepare technical reports, and present results to internal stakeholders and management.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies and raw materials that can enhance product performance or reduce manufacturing costs.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field with a strong R&D focus.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in research and development, ideally within the specialty chemicals sector.
• Proven experience in experimental design, process development, and scale-up.
• Proficiency with laboratory equipment and analytical instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of intellectual property and patent processes.
• Excellent scientific curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and technical writing skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, retirement savings, and life insurance.
• Generous budget for professional development, conferences, and further education.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects and contribute to groundbreaking innovations in Klerksdorp .
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment that fosters creativity.