Senior Chemical Engineer - Polymerization Processes

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Retirement annuity

Professional development opportunities

On-site role in Bloemfontein

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein, South Africa, seeks a Senior Chemical Engineer with polymerization expertise to lead development, optimization and scale-up of polymer manufacturing on site.

You will design and optimize polymerization plants, supervise R&D collaboration, ensure safety and environmental compliance, and drive yield improvements across multiple polymer products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Polymer Science/Engineering.
• 7+ years in chemical engineering with a focus on industrial polymerization.
• Understanding of polymerization mechanisms (free radical, condensation, ionic).
• Experience with reactor types (CSTR, batch, tubular).
• Knowledge of polymer characterization techniques (GPC, DSC, TGA, spectroscopy).
• Strong troubleshooting, analysis and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize continuous and batch polymerization processes.
• Develop new polymer formulations and manufacturing methods.
• Scale up lab and pilot polymerization to production.
• Monitor and troubleshoot reactors and equipment.
• Conduct kinetic studies and material characterization.
• Improve yield, reduce waste and enhance safety.
• Collaborate with R&D on new product development.
• Prepare technical reports and P&IDs for polymer units.
• Ensure safety and environmental compliance in manufacturing.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering or Polymer Science/Engineering

Tools

Process simulation tools

Job description

About the Role Our client, a prominent player in the advanced materials sector, is seeking a talented Senior Chemical Engineer with specialized expertise in polymerization processes. This role is based in **Bloemfontein, Free State, ZA**, and focuses on the development, optimization, and scale-up of polymer manufacturing. You will be integral to driving innovation in polymer science, improving production efficiency, and ensuring the highest quality standards for a range of polymer products. The ideal candidate will possess a strong theoretical foundation in polymer chemistry and engineering, coupled with significant hands-on experience in industrial polymerization. This is an on-site position, requiring close collaboration with plant operations and research teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and optimize continuous and batch polymerization processes.
• Develop new polymer formulations and manufacturing methods to meet market demands.
• Scale up laboratory and pilot-scale polymerization processes to commercial production.
• Monitor and troubleshoot polymerization reactors and associated equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Conduct kinetic studies, material characterization, and performance testing of polymers.
• Implement process improvements to enhance yield, reduce waste, and improve safety.
• Collaborate with the R&D team on new product development and application testing.
• Prepare technical reports, process documentation, and P&IDs related to polymerization units.
• Ensure compliance with all safety and environmental regulations relevant to polymer manufacturing.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Polymer Science/Engineering.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in chemical engineering, with a significant focus on industrial polymerization processes.
• Deep understanding of polymerization mechanisms (e.g., free radical, condensation, ionic).
• Experience with various polymerization reactor types (e.g., CSTR, batch, tubular).
• Knowledge of polymer characterization techniques (e.g., GPC, DSC, TGA, spectroscopy).
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex process issues and implement effective solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Familiarity with process simulation tools is advantageous.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive salary, comprehensive medical benefits, a substantial retirement annuity, opportunities for professional development, and a supportive work environment in **Bloemfontein, Free State, ZA**.
• Join a company that values innovation and offers a clear path for career growth within the exciting field of polymer engineering.