Senior Chemical Process Innovator: Scale-Up & Pilot Plant

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Chemical Process Development Engineer in Bloemfontein to translate lab innovations into scalable industrial processes. You will design, develop, and optimize chemical processes, collaborating with R&D chemists and pilot plant engineers to ensure safe, efficient scale-up.

The role requires a strong grounding in chemical engineering, hands-on problem solving, and experience with PHAs/HAZOP, process simulation, and technology transfer to manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 7+ years of experience in chemical process development and scale-up.
• Experience with pilot plant operations and troubleshooting.
• Proficient in Aspen Plus or HYSYS for process simulation.
• Knowledge of PHAs/HAZOP studies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Experience in fine chemicals or pharmaceutical intermediates is desirable.
• Legal eligibility to work in Bloemfontein, Free State.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop chemical processes from concept to pilot plant trials.
• Optimize existing processes for yield, safety, and cost.
• Perform process modeling and simulations to forecast performance.
• Oversee pilot plant operations and troubleshoot scale-up issues.
• Prepare P&IDs and equipment specifications for new processes.
• Collaborate with R&D, engineering, and manufacturing for tech transfer.
• Conduct PHAs and implement safety measures.
• Publish technical reports and present findings to management.

Skills

Process design

Scale-up expertise

Troubleshooting

Process simulation

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

Job description

Placements24 seeks a Senior Chemical Process Development Engineer in Bloemfontein to translate lab innovations into scalable industrial processes. You will design, develop, and optimize chemical processes, collaborating with R&D chemists and pilot plant engineers to ensure safe, efficient scale-up.

The role requires a strong grounding in chemical engineering, hands-on problem solving, and experience with PHAs/HAZOP, process simulation, and technology transfer to manufacturing.