Remote Senior Chemical Engineer - Reaction Engineering

Placements24; Stellenbosch Local Municipality; Remote; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer specialized in Reaction Engineering to lead design, analysis, and scale-up of complex reactions for innovative products. This fully remote role bridges lab discovery and industrial application, requiring strong modeling and experimental skills from a location like Paarl or anywhere in South Africa. The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D.

or M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering with at least seven years in reaction engineering or related fields, and is

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Reaction Engineering.
• 7+ years of experience in reaction engineering, catalysis, or process development.
• Strong understanding of kinetics, thermodynamics, and reactor design.
• Proficiency with reactor modeling software (Aspen Plus, COMSOL) and lab/pilot-scale interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigation and optimization of reaction kinetics and mechanisms.
• Design and simulate reactor systems to achieve yield, selectivity, and safety targets.
• Oversee lab and pilot-scale programs to validate models and designs.
• Provide expert guidance on reactor selection, design and operation.
• Collaborate remotely with R&D scientists and engineers on multidisciplinary projects.
• Develop and apply CFD and kinetic modeling tools.

Skills

Reaction Engineering

Kinetics

Thermodynamics

Reactor Design

Remote Collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

COMSOL

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leading research and development firm focused on novel chemical synthesis, is seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer with specialized expertise in Reaction Engineering to join their fully remote team. This critical position involves leading the design, analysis, and scale-up of complex chemical reactions for innovative new products and processes. You will play a key role in bridging the gap between laboratory discovery and industrial application, utilizing advanced modeling and experimental techniques. The successful candidate will possess a deep theoretical understanding coupled with practical experience in optimizing reaction kinetics, selectivity, and yield. This is an exceptional opportunity for a motivated chemical engineer to contribute to cutting-edge research and development from a remote location, working flexibly from Paarl or anywhere in South Africa .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the investigation and optimization of chemical reaction kinetics and mechanisms.
• Design and simulate reactor systems to achieve desired process outcomes (yield, selectivity, safety).
• Oversee laboratory and pilot-scale experimental programs to validate reaction models and process designs.
• Provide expert technical guidance on reactor selection, design, and operation.
• Collaborate remotely with R&D scientists, process chemists, and other engineers on multidisciplinary projects.
• Develop and apply advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and kinetic modeling tools.
• Ensure safe handling of hazardous materials and design processes with inherent safety features.
• Troubleshoot challenging reaction engineering problems encountered during process development.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, research proposals, and project documentation.
• Stay current with advancements in catalysis, reactor design, and chemical kinetics.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering with a strong focus on Reaction Engineering is required.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in reaction engineering, catalysis, or chemical process development.
• Expertise in chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, and reactor design principles.
• Proficiency in chemical process simulation software, especially those with robust reactor modeling capabilities (e.g., Aspen Plus, COMSOL).
• Experience designing and interpreting results from laboratory and pilot-scale reactors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a meticulous approach to research and development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for remote collaboration and reporting.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and meet project deadlines effectively.
• Familiarity with process safety considerations for chemical reactions.
• Must be legally authorized to work remotely from South Africa .

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package tailored for remote employees, and opportunities for significant professional development in a research-intensive environment. You will have the chance to work on exciting and challenging projects at the forefront of chemical innovation. This role provides excellent autonomy and the flexibility to work from your preferred location within South Africa , including Paarl , while contributing to groundbreaking advancements in chemical engineering.