Senior Chemical Process Development Engineer

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonus

Private healthcare

Retirement savings plan

Training programs

International exposure

Support for further academic studies

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Chemical Process Development Engineer in George, Western Cape, to drive the development and scale-up of innovative chemical processes from laboratory bench to pilot plant and ultimately to commercial production.

You will design experiments, optimize reaction conditions and separation steps, and analyze data to define operating envelopes. Collaboration with chemists and engineers, along with strong regulatory awareness, will be essential to success.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in process development, scale-up, and/or chemical R&D.
• Experience designing and conducting experiments with focus on reaction engineering and separation processes.
• Proficiency in process modeling and simulation software.
• Experience with pilot plant operations and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new chemical processes from concept to pilot scale validation.
• Design and execute lab and pilot plant experiments to optimize parameters and product isolation.
• Analyze data to determine feasibility, identify control points, and define operating envelopes.
• Scale-up processes from lab to pilot and production scales addressing equipment and throughput challenges.
• Develop PFDs and P&IDs for new processes.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to R&D, engineering, and management.
• Collaborate with chemists, analysts, and engineers to ensure successful development and tech transfer.
• Ensure adherence to SHE standards and regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshoot issues during development and scale-up phases.
• Contribute to IP portfolio through invention disclosures and patent applications.

Skills

Process development

Scale-up

Chemical R&D

Reaction engineering

Separation processes

Process modeling

Simulation software

Pilot plant operations

Data analysis

GLP/GMP familiarity

Technical communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

ChemCAD

MATLAB

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent specialty chemicals producer located in George , Western Cape, is actively seeking an experienced Senior Chemical Process Development Engineer. This role is instrumental in driving innovation and scaling up new chemical products from laboratory bench to pilot plant and ultimately to commercial production. The successful candidate will be based in the beautiful coastal city of George and will be responsible for the design, execution, and analysis of experiments to optimize reaction conditions, separation techniques, and overall process feasibility. This position offers a fantastic opportunity to work with cutting‑edge chemical technologies in a region known for its natural beauty, blending professional challenge with a desirable lifestyle. We are looking for a proactive and detail‑oriented engineer who thrives in a research and development environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new chemical processes from conceptualization through to pilot scale validation.
• Design and execute laboratory and pilot plant experiments to optimize reaction parameters, purification methods, and product isolation.
• Analyze experimental data to determine process feasibility, identify critical control points, and define operating envelopes.
• Scale‑up processes from lab bench to pilot and commercial scales, addressing engineering challenges associated with larger equipment and throughputs.
• Develop detailed process flow diagrams (PFDs) and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) for new processes.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and present findings to R&D, engineering, and management teams.
• Collaborate closely with chemists, analysts, and other engineers to ensure successful product development and technology transfer.
• Ensure all process development activities adhere to strict safety, health, and environmental (SHE) standards and regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues encountered during process development and scale‑up phases.
• Contribute to the intellectual property portfolio through invention disclosures and patent applications.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in process development, scale‑up, and/or chemical R&D.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and conducting experiments, with a strong focus on reaction engineering and separation processes.
• Proficiency in process modeling and simulation software.
• Experience with pilot plant operations and troubleshooting.
• Excellent data analysis and interpretation skills, including statistical analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical information.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is a plus.
• Knowledge of inherent safety design principles is highly valued.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive salary, an attractive performance‑based bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package including private healthcare and a retirement savings plan.
• The company invests in its employees' growth through extensive training programs, opportunities for international exposure, and support for further academic studies.
• You will be part of a forward‑thinking organization that values innovation and collaboration.
• The role is situated in George , offering access to excellent recreational activities and a high quality of life.