Senior Polymerization Engineer — Lead Scale-Up & Innovation

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Healthcare

Retirement plan

Professional development

Relocation assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, South Africa, seeks a Senior Chemical Engineer with polymerization expertise to lead the design, development, and scale-up of polymerization processes for high-performance polymers. You will drive process efficiency, safety, and environmental standards while mentoring junior engineers.

The role requires 10+ years in chemical process engineering with a focus on polymerization, collaboration with R&D, manufacturing, and QA, and a Master’s or Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a strong focus on polymer science and engineering.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in chemical process engineering, with at least 6 years focused on polymerization processes.
• In-depth knowledge of various polymerization techniques (e.g., free radical, ionic, condensation) and associated kinetics.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and scale-up of polymerization processes for new and existing polymer products.
• Optimize reaction conditions, catalyst systems, and monomer feeds to achieve desired polymer properties, yield, and throughput.
• Utilize advanced process modeling and simulation tools to predict and analyze polymerization behavior.
• Conduct pilot plant trials and analyze data to ensure successful transition to commercial-scale production.
• Develop detailed process documentation, including P&IDs, operating procedures, and safety protocols specific to polymerization.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges related to polymerization reactions and downstream processing.
• Ensure strict adherence to safety, health, and environmental (SHE) regulations, particularly those relevant to polymer manufacturing.
• Collaborate with R&D chemists to understand reaction mechanisms and scale-up parameters.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and technical staff.
• Implement advanced process control strategies to ensure consistent product quality and process stability.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in polymerization technologies and materials science.

Skills

Polymer chemistry

Reaction kinetics

Process control

Scale-up

Leadership

Mentorship

Data analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Process simulation software

Statistical analysis tools

Job description

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, South Africa, seeks a Senior Chemical Engineer with polymerization expertise to lead the design, development, and scale-up of polymerization processes for high-performance polymers. You will drive process efficiency, safety, and environmental standards while mentoring junior engineers.

The role requires 10+ years in chemical process engineering with a focus on polymerization, collaboration with R&D, manufacturing, and QA, and a Master’s or Ph.D.