Senior Chemical Engineer - Process Development

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Paid time off

Professional development

Cutting-edge tech

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Senior Chemical Engineer specializing in Process Development to join their R&D team in Rustenburg. The role focuses on designing, optimizing and scaling chemical processes for new product introductions, leveraging expertise in reaction engineering, separation technologies and process control.

You will lead scale-up efforts from lab to pilot and commercial stages, run experimental plans, perform simulations, troubleshoot issues, and ensure compliance

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in chemical process development and scale-up.
• Strong knowledge of kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena.
• Proficiency in Aspen Plus and HYSYS.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of chemical processes from lab to pilot and commercial scale.
• Design and implement experimental plans for process characterization and validation.
• Perform process simulations and modeling using industry-standard software.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during scale-up and operation.
• Ensure all designs comply with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing and engineering teams for technology transfer.

Skills

Reaction engineering

Process optimization

Scale-up

Project management

Education

MSc or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

HAZOP experience

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Chemical Engineer specializing in Process Development to join their innovative R&D team. This is a key role focused on designing, optimizing, and scaling up chemical processes for new product introductions. You will leverage your expertise in reaction engineering, separation technologies, and process control to solve complex challenges and drive efficiency. The position is based in Rustenburg and offers a fantastic opportunity to work on exciting projects that contribute to the company's growth and technological leadership in the chemical industry, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of chemical processes from laboratory scale to pilot and commercial scale.
• Design and implement experimental plans for process characterization and validation.
• Perform process simulations and modeling using industry-standard software.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues encountered during process scale-up and operation.
• Ensure all process designs comply with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, and engineering teams to ensure successful technology transfer.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in chemical process development and scale-up.
• Strong knowledge of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS).
• Experience with HAZOP studies and process safety management.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Performance-driven bonus structure.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Professional development opportunities and continuous learning support.
• Exposure to cutting-edge chemical technologies and significant project impact in Rustenburg.