Senior Pharma Process Engineer — Scale-Up & Global Impact

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Bonus potential

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Career growth

International exposure

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer for its Process Development team in Sandton, Gauteng. You will develop robust, scalable manufacturing processes for APIs and drug products, translating lab discoveries into industrial-scale operations.

You will lead process optimization, design characterization experiments, and ensure regulatory compliance while collaborating with R&D, analytical, and manufacturing teams to drive innovation and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in pharmaceutical process development.
• Extensive knowledge of cGMP regulations and industry best practices.
• Experience with process scale-up, validation, and technology transfer.
• Proficiency in process simulation software and statistical analysis tools.
• Strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and optimization of API synthesis and purification processes.
• Design and execute experiments for process characterization, scale-up, and validation.
• Develop process models and simulations to predict performance.
• Ensure all activities comply with cGMP and regulatory requirements (FDA, EMA).
• Troubleshoot technical challenges during process development and scale-up.
• Collaborate with R&D chemists, analytical scientists, and manufacturing staff.
• Prepare process development reports, validation protocols, and regulatory submissions.
• Evaluate new technologies to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
• Manage external CMOs and assist with equipment qualification.
• Contribute to selection of manufacturing equipment.

Skills

Process development

Scale-up

Process simulation

Statistical analysis

cGMP knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

PAT experience

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Process simulation software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer for its Process Development team in Sandton, Gauteng. You will develop robust, scalable manufacturing processes for APIs and drug products, translating lab discoveries into industrial-scale operations.

You will lead process optimization, design characterization experiments, and ensure regulatory compliance while collaborating with R&D, analytical, and manufacturing teams to drive innovation and efficiency.