Remote Senior Chemical Engineer - Polymerization

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 1,996,000 - 2,994,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global health coverage

Home office stipend

Professional development opportunities

Remote work culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Remote Senior Chemical Engineer specializing in polymerization processes. This fully remote role lets you apply your expertise from anywhere while contributing to groundbreaking polymer technology development and scalable reactor design.

Lead design and optimization of polymerization processes, run simulations, mentor junior engineers, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance. Requires a Master’s or Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Polymer Science or Engineering.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in chemical engineering with a focus on polymerization.
• Experience with polymerization techniques (free radical, anionic, cationic, condensation).
• Hands-on process simulation experience (Aspen Plus, gPROMS) and kinetic modeling.
• Strong understanding of polymer chemistry, reaction kinetics, and rheology.
• Knowledge of process safety management and hazard analysis in polymerization.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and optimization of polymerization processes from concept to scale-up.
• Develop strategies to improve polymer yield and molecular weight distribution.
• Conduct process simulations and modeling for reactors and downstream processing.
• Troubleshoot complex issues and provide remote guidance to manufacturing teams.
• Ensure safety and environmental compliance across processes.
• Collaborate with R&D, materials science, and production teams to bring new polymers to market.
• Prepare technical reports, P&IDs, and process documentation.
• Evaluate new technologies and equipment for polymerization processes.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical development.
• Manage multiple projects and contribute to long-term strategic planning.

Skills

Polymerization

Process simulation

Leadership

Mentoring

Project management

Remote collaboration

Reaction kinetics

Rheology

Communication

Chemical engineering

Education

MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

gPROMS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in polymer science and manufacturing, is seeking a highly experienced Remote Senior Chemical Engineer specializing in polymerization processes. This fully remote position allows you to leverage your expertise from anywhere while contributing to groundbreaking advancements in polymer technology. You will be responsible for the design, optimization, and troubleshooting of complex polymerization reactions and processes, ensuring product quality, efficiency, and safety. This role requires deep technical knowledge, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with a globally distributed team through advanced virtual communication platforms. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned polymer engineer to drive innovation in a flexible, remote-first work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and optimization of polymerization processes, from conceptualization to scale-up.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve polymer yield, molecular weight distribution, and other critical properties.
• Conduct process simulations and modeling for polymerization reactors and downstream processing.
• Troubleshoot complex process issues, providing expert technical guidance remotely to manufacturing teams.
• Ensure all processes adhere to the highest safety standards and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with R&D, materials science, and production teams to bring new polymers to market.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, P&IDs, and process documentation.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and equipment for polymerization processes.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the overall technical development of the engineering group.
• Manage multiple projects and contribute to long-term strategic planning for polymer production.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Polymer Science or Engineering.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in chemical engineering, with a strong focus on polymerization processes.
• Proven expertise in various polymerization techniques (e.g., free radical, anionic, cationic, condensation).
• Hands-on experience with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, gPROMS) and kinetic modeling.
• Deep understanding of polymer chemistry, reaction kinetics, and rheology.
• Strong knowledge of process safety management and hazard analysis in polymerization.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively remotely.
• Proven leadership capabilities and experience in mentoring technical staff.
• Ability to manage complex projects and drive results in a distributed team environment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and generous performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive global health insurance coverage.
• Significant employer contribution to retirement savings plan.
• Flexible paid time off and personal leave policies.
• Home office stipend and cutting-edge remote work technology support.
• Extensive professional development opportunities, including specialized online courses and virtual conferences.
• Opportunity to work on industry-leading polymer technology projects.
• A dynamic and forward-thinking remote work culture.