Senior Polymer Process Engineer – Scale-Up & Innovation

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 1,400,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Performance bonuses and profit sharing

Comprehensive medical, dental, and/or视

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging, Gauteng, seeks a Senior Process Engineer to lead polymer synthesis scale-up and translate lab findings into robust manufacturing processes. You will design reactors, optimize conditions, and ensure safety across complex polymer systems.

The role requires a PhD or Masters in Chemical Engineering, 7+ years in process engineering, expertise in polymerization mechanisms, and strong analytical and collaboration skills to drive innovation in a fast-paced industrial setting.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in process engineering focused on polymer synthesis and scale-up.
• In-depth understanding of polymerization mechanisms (e.g., free radical, condensation, anionic, cationic).
• Experience with reactor design, heat transfer, and mass transfer calculations for polymer systems.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, gPROMS).
• Knowledge of polymer characterization techniques is beneficial.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team.
• Experience with Process Safety Management (PSM) principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the scale-up of polymer synthesis processes from laboratory to pilot and commercial scale.
• Design and specify chemical reactors, separation equipment, and associated utilities for polymerization processes.
• Optimize reaction parameters (temperature, pressure, catalysts, feed rates) to maximize yield, purity, and molecular weight distribution.
• Conduct process hazard analyses (PHAs) for polymerization reactions, identifying and mitigating risks.
• Develop PFDs (Process Flow Diagrams) and P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams).
• Troubleshoot and resolve operational issues in polymer manufacturing processes.
• Perform process simulations to evaluate different operating scenarios and design modifications.
• Collaborate with materials scientists and R&D chemists on new product development projects.
• Ensure process designs comply with all relevant safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Prepare technical reports, documentation, and capital cost estimates for process improvements and new installations.

Skills

Polymer synthesis

Scale-up expertise

Process optimization

Analytical problem solving

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

gPROMS

Job description

Placements24 in Vereeniging, Gauteng, seeks a Senior Process Engineer to lead polymer synthesis scale-up and translate lab findings into robust manufacturing processes. You will design reactors, optimize conditions, and ensure safety across complex polymer systems.

The role requires a PhD or Masters in Chemical Engineering, 7+ years in process engineering, expertise in polymerization mechanisms, and strong analytical and collaboration skills to drive innovation in a fast-paced industrial setting.