Remote Senior Chemical Engineer - R&D and Scale-Up

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Generous paid leave

Professional development budget

Performance bonuses

Equity options

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer to lead R&D scale-up and technology transfer for advanced materials and sustainable chemical solutions. This fully remote role allows you to contribute from Upington, Northern Cape, or anywhere in South Africa.

You will drive bench-to-plant development, design pilots, perform techno-economic analyses, mentor junior engineers, and deliver clear technical reports. A PhD or Master’s with 8+ years in process R&D is expected.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering from a reputable institution.
• Minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in chemical process R&D, scale-up, and technology transfer.
• Proficiency with process simulation software (Aspen Plus, HYSYS) and data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the R&D and scale-up efforts for new chemical processes and products, bridging the gap between laboratory discovery and industrial production.
• Design and execute pilot plant studies to validate process feasibility, gather critical data, and optimize operating parameters.
• Develop detailed process designs, including PFDs, P&IDs, mass and energy balances, and equipment specifications.
• Conduct thorough techno-economic assessments and risk analyses for new process technologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful technology transfer.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges in process development and scale-up.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians involved in R&D and pilot operations.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, presentations, and project proposals.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Remote teamwork

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering force in advanced materials and sustainable chemical solutions, is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Chemical Engineer to join their globally distributed R&D team. This role is fully remote, allowing you to contribute from Upington, Northern Cape, or any location within South Africa. You will be instrumental in translating laboratory innovations into viable, scalable industrial processes. Your expertise will guide the entire lifecycle from bench-scale development through pilot plant trials and to commercialization readiness. This position demands a strategic thinker with exceptional problem-solving skills and a proven track record in process development and scale-up, particularly within specialized chemical applications. If you are passionate about driving innovation and shaping the future of chemical manufacturing from a remote setting, this role offers unparalleled impact and professional growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the R&D and scale-up efforts for new chemical processes and products, bridging the gap between laboratory discovery and industrial production.
• Design and execute pilot plant studies to validate process feasibility, gather critical data, and optimize operating parameters.
• Develop detailed process designs, including PFDs, P&IDs, mass and energy balances, and equipment specifications.
• Conduct thorough techno-economic assessments and risk analyses for new process technologies.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including research scientists, manufacturing engineers, and project managers to ensure successful technology transfer.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges encountered during process development and scale-up.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians involved in R&D and pilot operations.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, presentations, and project proposals.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from a reputable institution.
• Minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in chemical process R&D, scale-up, and technology transfer.
• Demonstrated success in developing and commercializing novel chemical processes.
• Proficiency with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS) and data analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and unit operations.
• Experience with pilot plant operations and scale-up challenges.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a creative approach to technical challenges.
• Outstanding communication and collaboration skills, adapted for remote teamwork.
• Must be legally authorized to work in South Africa and maintain a reliable home office setup.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive-level salary.
• Fully remote work arrangement offering significant work-life flexibility.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous annual leave and public holiday allowance.
• Substantial budget for professional development, conferences, and training.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and make a significant industry impact.
• Performance-based bonuses and potential for equity.