Senior Process Development Engineer

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Pension fund

Performance-based incentives

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a Senior Process Development Engineer for its Nelspruit facility. You will lead design, optimization and scale-up of chemical processes, from pilot studies to full-scale production support, driving safety, efficiency and quality.

You will collaborate with R&D, engineering and production teams, mentor junior engineers and contribute to technology transfer. A strong background in chemical engineering and hands-on scale-up experience are essential.

Qualifications

• B.Eng. or M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in process development, scale-up, or manufacturing support in the chemical industry.
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.
• Proven experience with process simulation software (Aspen Plus, HYSYS).
• Hands-on experience with pilot plant operations and scale-up challenges.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and best practices in chemical manufacturing.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and manage project timelines.
• Experience with batch and continuous processing is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize chemical manufacturing processes for new and existing products.
• Conduct pilot plant studies to validate process parameters and gather scale-up data.
• Troubleshoot and resolve process-related issues during manufacturing campaigns.
• Perform process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement safety improvements.
• Develop and implement process control strategies to ensure product quality and consistency.
• Collaborate with R&D chemists, engineers, and production teams to ensure smooth technology transfer.
• Generate process documentation, including P&IDs, SOPs, and batch records.
• Evaluate and recommend new process equipment and technologies.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical development of the team.

Skills

Analytical and problem-solving

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

B.Eng./M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading manufacturer of specialty chemicals and advanced materials, is seeking an experienced Senior Process Development Engineer to join their dynamic operations team in Nelspruit. This role is crucial for optimizing and scaling up chemical manufacturing processes, ensuring efficiency, safety, and quality. You will be involved in the entire lifecycle of process development, from laboratory bench-scale experimentation to pilot plant trials and full-scale production support. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in chemical engineering principles, practical experience in process scale-up, and a keen eye for continuous improvement. This is a significant opportunity to make a tangible impact on production efficiency and innovation within a growing industry. You will be working hands‑on within our Nelspruit facility, contributing directly to manufacturing excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize chemical manufacturing processes for new and existing products.
• Conduct pilot plant studies to validate process parameters and gather scale‑up data.
• Troubleshoot and resolve process‑related issues during manufacturing campaigns.
• Perform process hazard analyses (PHAs) and implement safety improvements.
• Develop and implement process control strategies to ensure product quality and consistency.
• Collaborate with R&D chemists, engineers, and production teams to ensure smooth technology transfer.
• Generate process documentation, including P&IDs, SOPs, and batch records.
• Evaluate and recommend new process equipment and technologies.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical development of the team.

Requirements

• B.Eng. or M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in process development, scale‑up, or manufacturing support in the chemical industry.
• Strong understanding of chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.
• Proven experience with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS).
• Hands‑on experience with pilot plant operations and scale‑up challenges.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and best practices in chemical manufacturing.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a data‑driven approach.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and manage project timelines.
• Experience with batch and continuous processing is desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid, pension fund, and performance‑based incentives.
• You will have the opportunity to work on challenging and impactful projects within our modern Nelspruit facility.
• We are committed to employee development through ongoing training and career advancement opportunities.