Remote Senior Pharmaceutical Process Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Competitive salary

Professional development

Global teams

Work-life balance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a highly experienced Remote Senior Pharmaceutical Process Engineer in South Africa to optimize and drive innovation across manufacturing processes for solid dosage forms, sterile injectables, and APIs. This role emphasizes GMP compliance, cross-functional collaboration, and scalable technology transfer while enabling remote work.

The candidate should have a strong chemical/process engineering background, 7+ years in pharma, and proficiency with process simulation tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Process, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in process engineering within pharma/biopharma.
• Experience designing, scaling, validating and optimizing pharmaceutical processes.

Responsibilities

• Analyze existing manufacturing processes to drive efficiency, yield, and quality improvements.
• Design, develop, and implement new processes and technologies for scalable, robust production.
• Lead IQ/OQ/PQ validation activities to meet regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshoot complex process issues to minimize downtime and product loss.
• Develop and maintain process documentation (P&IDs, SOPs, batch records).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration.
• Oversee technology transfer from R&D to manufacturing and scale-up.
• Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Contribute to process hazard analyses and safety compliance.
• Train and mentor junior engineers on process engineering best practices.
• Utilize process modeling tools to optimize parameters and predict performance.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Project management

Problem solving

Remote collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Chemical/Process/Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree (plus)

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

CAD tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing, is actively seeking a highly skilled and experienced Remote Senior Pharmaceutical Process Engineer . This pivotal role allows you to contribute your expertise from anywhere within South Africa, focusing on optimizing and innovating manufacturing processes for a wide range of pharmaceutical products. You will be instrumental in enhancing efficiency, ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory standards (e.g., GMP), and driving the implementation of new technologies. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in chemical or process engineering, coupled with a deep understanding of pharmaceutical production environments. This fully remote position offers the unique advantage of contributing to critical operational improvements without the need for physical relocation. We are looking for a proactive, problem-solving engineer who can effectively collaborate with global teams and drive significant process enhancements from a remote setting. Your role will be vital in maintaining our client's competitive edge and ensuring the highest quality of pharmaceutical production.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze existing pharmaceutical manufacturing processes to identify areas for improvement in efficiency, yield, and quality.
• Design, develop, and implement new manufacturing processes and technologies, ensuring scalability and robustness.
• Lead process validation activities, including IQ, OQ, and PQ, in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshoot complex process issues and implement effective solutions to minimize downtime and product loss.
• Develop and maintain detailed process documentation, including P&IDs, SOPs, and batch manufacturing records.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., R&D, QA, Manufacturing Operations) to ensure seamless process integration.
• Oversee technology transfer activities from R&D to manufacturing, ensuring successful scale-up.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Contribute to process hazard analyses and ensure adherence to safety regulations.
• Train and mentor junior engineers and technical staff on process engineering principles and best practices.
• Utilize process simulation and modeling tools to optimize process parameters and predict performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline. A Master's degree is a plus.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in process engineering within the pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical industry.
• Proven experience in process design, scale-up, validation, and optimization of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes (e.g., solid dosage forms, sterile injectables, APIs).
• In-depth knowledge of GMP, regulatory requirements (SAHPRA, FDA, EMA), and process safety standards.
• Strong understanding of unit operations commonly used in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS) and CAD tools is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and collaborate effectively in a remote team environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document technical information clearly and concisely.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies is advantageous.
• Ability to work independently and manage priorities effectively in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive salary, excellent benefits package, and the significant advantage of a fully remote work arrangement.
• This role offers substantial opportunities for career advancement and professional development within a globally recognized pharmaceutical organization.
• Employees benefit from a culture that champions innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• You will have the autonomy to manage your work effectively while contributing to high-impact projects from your chosen location in South Africa.
• We are committed to supporting our remote workforce with the resources and connectivity needed to succeed.