Remote Chemical Process Development Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work arrangement

Competitive salary and comprehensive

Cutting-edge R&D resources access

Collaborative virtual team environment

Job summary

WhatJobs Direct is seeking a remote Chemical Process Development Engineer to lead development from concept to pilot-scale in a fully remote role based from South Africa. The role requires expertise in kinetics, reaction engineering, and process design, with hands-on experimental design and data analysis.

You will collaborate with research scientists, engineers, and manufacturing teams using advanced virtual tools.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 4+ years in chemical process development or scale-up.
• Strong knowledge of reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and separation processes.
• Experience with DOE and statistical analysis.
• Remote collaboration and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize chemical reaction pathways and processes at laboratory and pilot scales.
• Design and execute experiments to optimize parameters.
• Analyze data to understand kinetics and mechanisms.
• Scale up processes from benchtop to pilot plant.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements.
• Prepare technical reports and process documentation.
• Identify new technologies for process improvement.
• Ensure safety and environmental compliance.
• Support transition to manufacturing and IP development.

Skills

Reaction engineering

Experiment design (DOE)

Statistical analysis

Process modeling

Remote collaboration

Communication

Independent work

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Process simulation tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, WhatJobs Direct, is looking for a highly motivated and experienced Remote Chemical Process Development Engineer. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your expertise from Durban or any other location within South Africa. You will be at the forefront of developing and refining novel chemical processes, from initial concept through to pilot-scale implementation. This role demands a strong understanding of chemical kinetics, reaction engineering, and process design principles, coupled with hands-on experience in experimental design and data analysis. You will collaborate extensively with research scientists, engineers, and manufacturing teams using advanced virtual collaboration tools. The ideal candidate possesses a creative mindset, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to drive innovation in a remote setting. If you are passionate about bringing new chemical technologies to life and thrive in an autonomous work environment, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize chemical reaction pathways and processes at laboratory and pilot scales.
• Design and execute experiments to investigate process parameters and identify optimal operating conditions.
• Analyze experimental data to understand process performance, kinetics, and mechanisms.
• Scale up chemical processes from benchtop to pilot plant, addressing technical challenges.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define process requirements and specifications.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, research summaries, and process documentation.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies or methodologies for process improvement.
• Ensure all development activities adhere to safety protocols and environmental regulations.
• Assist in the transition of developed processes to manufacturing or production teams.
• Contribute to intellectual property development through patent disclosures.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in chemical process development, research, or scale-up.
• Strong foundation in reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and separation processes.
• Proficiency in experimental design (DOE) and statistical analysis.
• Experience with process modeling and simulation tools is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a systematic approach to development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, essential for remote collaboration.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines in a remote environment.
• Experience in hazardous chemical handling and safety protocols.

Benefits

• Fully remote work arrangement offering significant flexibility.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to work on groundbreaking chemical process development.
• Access to cutting-edge research and development resources.
• Collaborative and innovative virtual team environment.