Senior Polymerization Engineer & Scale-Up Leader

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life assurance

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a seasoned Lead Chemical Engineer specializing in polymerization to drive development, optimization, and scale-up of advanced polymerization techniques at a Gauteng facility. You will lead a team of engineers and technicians, guiding safety, quality, and process improvements across R&D, pilot, and production stages.

The role emphasizes strong knowledge of polymerization kinetics, reactor design, and polymer characterization, with opportunities to shape strategic polymer

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or Polymer Science from a reputable institution.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in chemical engineering, with at least 5 years focused on polymerization processes.
• Extensive knowledge of various polymerization mechanisms (e.g., free radical, ionic, condensation).
• Hands-on experience with reactor design and optimization for polymerization.
• Familiarity with polymer characterization techniques and analytical methods.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to manage and motivate technical teams.
• Expertise in process simulation and modeling for polymerization systems.
• Excellent problem-solving capabilities and strong decision-making skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to SHE (Safety, Health, and Environment) principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of polymerization processes.
• Oversee pilot plant operations and scale-up from lab to commercial production.
• Troubleshoot complex polymerization issues, including reaction control and product quality.
• Ensure all process activities adhere strictly to safety protocols, environmental regulations, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to achieve project goals.
• Mentor and develop junior engineering staff involved in polymerization processes.
• Conduct technical reviews and author detailed process documentation, reports, and P&IDs.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies and methodologies in polymerization.
• Manage process safety information and conduct hazard analyses for polymerization units.
• Contribute to strategic planning for polymer product development and manufacturing.

Skills

Polymerization expertise

Project leadership

Process simulation

Technical writing

Problem solving

Education

Masters/PhD in Chemical Engineering or Polymer Science

Tools

Process simulation software

Polymer characterization instruments

Job description

Placements24 seeks a seasoned Lead Chemical Engineer specializing in polymerization to drive development, optimization, and scale-up of advanced polymerization techniques at a Gauteng facility. You will lead a team of engineers and technicians, guiding safety, quality, and process improvements across R&D, pilot, and production stages.

The role emphasizes strong knowledge of polymerization kinetics, reactor design, and polymer characterization, with opportunities to shape strategic polymer