Remote Lead Chemical Process Engineer - Catalysis

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High base salary

Performance bonuses

Medical, retirement & life insurance

Home office allowance

Professional development

Virtual training resources

Autonomy and flexibility

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Lead Chemical Process Engineer in South Africa to lead the design and optimization of catalytic processes for sustainable energy, bridging lab discovery with industrial application from a remote setup.

You will guide a distributed team of chemical engineers, oversee scale-up from lab to pilot and commercial scale, and ensure safety, environmental, and economic targets while leveraging advanced digital tools and simulations.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering with catalysis and reaction engineering specialization.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive experience in chemical process development and engineering.
• Experience leading complex R&D and process scale-up projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptualization, design and development of novel catalytic processes.
• Provide senior technical guidance to distributed team of engineers.
• Oversee scale-up from lab to pilot and commercial scale, managing remote teams.
• Conduct process modeling, simulation and optimization for catalytic reactors.
• Perform safety reviews, hazard analyses and environmental impact assessments.
• Manage project scope, timelines and budgets for multi-stage development.
• Foster collaboration across globally dispersed R&D and engineering teams.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Drive innovation in catalysis and sustainable process design.
• Ensure processes meet safety, environmental and economic targets.

Skills

Catalysis expertise

Remote leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a world-renowned research and development powerhouse in the energy sector, is seeking an exceptional Remote Lead Chemical Process Engineer with specialized expertise in catalysis. This fully remote position allows you to lead critical process design and optimization initiatives from anywhere in South Africa, focusing on advanced catalytic processes for sustainable energy solutions. You will be instrumental in bridging the gap between laboratory discovery and industrial application, guiding teams through virtual collaboration and cutting-edge digital tools. This is a premier opportunity for a visionary engineer to shape the future of chemical engineering and contribute to global sustainability efforts, all within a flexible remote work framework.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and development of novel catalytic processes.
• Provide senior technical guidance and mentorship to a distributed team of chemical engineers.
• Oversee the scale-up of catalytic processes from lab bench to pilot and commercial scale, managing remote teams effectively.
• Conduct advanced process modeling, simulation, and optimization using specialized software.
• Perform rigorous safety reviews, hazard analyses, and environmental impact assessments for catalytic systems.
• Manage project scope, timelines, and budgets for complex, multi-stage development projects.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across globally dispersed R&D and engineering teams.
• Present technical findings, project progress, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Drive innovation in catalysis and sustainable chemical process design.
• Ensure all developed processes meet stringent safety, environmental, and economic targets.

Requirements

• PhD in Chemical Engineering with a strong specialization in catalysis and reaction engineering.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in chemical process development and engineering, with a significant focus on heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis.
• Proven track record of successfully leading complex R&D and process scale-up projects.
• Expertise in process simulation, modeling, and optimization software relevant to catalytic reactors.
• Deep understanding of catalyst design, characterization, reaction kinetics, and reactor engineering.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills tailored for remote collaboration.
• Experience managing virtual teams and complex project portfolios.
• Strong understanding of global energy markets and sustainability trends.
• Must be legally authorized to work in South Africa and possess a reliable remote work setup.

Benefits

This remote leadership role offers an industry-leading compensation package, including a highly competitive base salary, significant performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits covering medical, retirement, and life insurance. Our client provides generous allowances for home office setup, continuous professional development, and access to world-class virtual training resources. Enjoy unparalleled autonomy and flexibility while making a substantial impact on the development of clean energy technologies. This is a unique opportunity to lead from the forefront of innovation in chemical engineering, regardless of your physical location within South Africa.