Senior Chemical Engineer - Fermentation Process Development

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance and benefits

Remote work flexibility

Stock options or equity

Professional development support

Biotech innovation exposure

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer to lead remote fermentation process development for a biotech-focused company. The role emphasizes design, optimization, and scale-up from lab to commercial scale.

You will collaborate with distributed R&D and manufacturing teams, apply bioprocess modeling, ensure GMP alignment, and mentor junior engineers, all while delivering robust, scalable bioprocess solutions. Remote work flexibility and a competitive compensation package are offered.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of fermentation process development and scale-up experience.
• Proven track record in designing and optimizing microbial fermentation.
• Strong leadership and remote collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and optimization of large-scale fermentation processes.
• Optimize fermentation parameters for yield and productivity.
• Develop scale-up strategies from lab to pilot and commercial scales.
• Design downstream processing and purification steps.
• Use process modeling and simulation tools for bioprocesses.
• Troubleshoot fermentation and downstream processing issues.
• Ensure GMP compliance and regulatory guidelines.
• Collaborate with R&D, upstream engineers, and manufacturing virtually.
• Prepare technical reports, batch records, and validation docs.
• Mentor junior engineers and support team development.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Independent work

Problem solving

Data interpretation

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering

Tools

Bioprocess simulation software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing biotechnology company specializing in fermentation-based products, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Chemical Engineer to lead their remote process development efforts. This position is ideal for a candidate with a strong background in biochemical engineering, bioprocess design, and scale-up of fermentation processes. You will be instrumental in optimizing existing fermentation protocols and developing new, innovative processes for the production of biopharmaceuticals, food ingredients, or industrial enzymes. The role is fully remote, requiring excellent communication and project management skills to collaborate effectively with a distributed team. This is a key opportunity to shape the future of bio-based manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of large-scale fermentation processes.
• Conduct experiments to optimize fermentation parameters (e.g., media composition, temperature, aeration, pH) for yield and productivity.
• Develop and execute scale-up strategies for fermentation processes from lab to pilot and commercial scales.
• Perform downstream processing design and optimization (e.g., cell harvesting, purification, formulation).
• Utilize process modeling and simulation tools relevant to bioprocesses.
• Troubleshoot fermentation and downstream processing issues, identifying root causes and implementing solutions.
• Ensure all processes comply with relevant regulatory guidelines (e.g., GMP).
• Collaborate closely with R&D scientists, upstream process engineers, and manufacturing teams virtually.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, batch records, and validation documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical growth of the bioprocess team.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in fermentation process development and scale-up in the biotechnology or biopharmaceutical industry.
• Proven track record in designing and optimizing microbial fermentation processes.
• Strong understanding of microbial physiology, metabolism, and genetic engineering principles.
• Experience with downstream processing techniques and scale-up.
• Proficiency with bioprocess simulation and modeling software is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Strong leadership and project management capabilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for effective remote collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and potential for significant performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous stock options package.
• Remote work flexibility offering excellent work-life balance.
• Opportunity to work at the forefront of biotechnology innovation.
• Professional development and conference attendance support.