Senior Chemical Engineer - Polymerization

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Senior Chemical Engineer specialized in polymerization to drive design, development, and scale-up of advanced polymerization processes. This fully remote role leverages your hands-on experience to optimize reactions, troubleshoot issues, and transfer technology to production while upholding safety and efficiency standards.

You will work with R&D, engineers, and operations, building models and diagrams, and applying kinetic modeling and process simulations to

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Polymer Science/Engineering.
• 8+ years' hands-on chemical process engineering with polymerization focus.
• Proven track record in development, scale-up, and troubleshooting of polymerization.
• Expertise in Aspen Plus and kinetic modeling.
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills for remote work.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and scale-up of novel polymerization processes.
• Optimize polymerization reactions and unit operations for yield and cost.
• Troubleshoot process issues and perform root cause analysis.
• Develop process models and simulations to guide optimization.
• Create PFDs, P&IDs, and equipment specs.
• Collaborate with R&D, engineers, and production for tech transfer and commercialization.

Skills

Polymerization

Process development

Scale-up

Troubleshooting

Aspen Plus

Kinetic modeling

Data analysis

Remote work

Statistical methods

Independent work

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Polymer Science

Tools

Aspen Plus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in advanced materials and polymer science, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Chemical Engineer specializing in polymerization processes. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to leverage your expertise from anywhere. You will play a crucial role in developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting complex polymerization reactions and associated processes. This role demands a deep theoretical understanding combined with practical industrial experience. You will be involved in everything from conceptual design to commercial production, driving innovation and ensuring the highest standards of safety and efficiency. We are looking for a proactive individual who can work independently, collaborate effectively with a distributed team, and contribute significantly to our cutting‑edge research and development efforts. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of polymer technology within a forward‑thinking organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and scale‑up of novel polymerization processes.
• Optimize existing polymerization reactions and associated unit operations for improved yield, quality, and cost‑effectiveness.
• Troubleshoot process issues, conduct root cause analysis, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Develop and utilize process models and simulations to predict process behavior and guide optimization efforts.
• Prepare detailed Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), and equipment specifications.
• Conduct Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with R&D scientists, other engineers, and production teams to facilitate technology transfer and commercialization.
• Stay current with advancements in polymerization science and chemical engineering technology.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or Polymer Science/Engineering.
• Minimum of 8 years of hands‑on experience in chemical process engineering, with a strong specialization in polymerization.
• Proven track record in process development, scale‑up, and troubleshooting of polymerization processes (e.g., free radical, anionic, cationic, condensation).
• Expertise in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus) and kinetic modeling.
• Strong understanding of polymer characterization techniques and their link to process variables.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and communicate clearly in a remote setting.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools and statistical methods.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, performance‑based bonuses, and an excellent benefits package including comprehensive health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off.
• We support professional development through continuous learning opportunities and provide resources for maintaining a productive home office environment.
• Join a team dedicated to innovation and excellence in the field of polymer engineering, enjoying the flexibility and autonomy of a remote role.