Senior Process Development Engineer - Biologics

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Senior Process Development Engineer to join our Benoni team, focusing on scale-up and optimization of biologics manufacturing processes for therapeutic proteins and antibodies.

You will translate lab-scale processes to pilot and commercial scales, develop upstream and downstream methods, and collaborate with manufacturing, QA, and regulatory teams. A strong biochemical engineering background with cell culture or fermentation experience is essential.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process development for biologics manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture or microbial fermentation.
• Proficiency in downstream processing techniques, including chromatography and filtration.
• Strong understanding of process modeling, statistical analysis, and QbD principles.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up upstream (cell culture/fermentation) and downstream (chromatography/filtration) processes for biologics.
• Design and execute experiments to improve process performance, robustness, and yield.
• Troubleshoot process deviations and implement solutions to ensure product quality and manufacturing continuity.
• Author process development reports, validation protocols, and technology transfer documents.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, QA, and regulatory teams to ensure successful process implementation.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and best practices in biopharmaceutical process development.

Skills

Biochemical engineering

Cell culture

Fermentation

Downstream processing

Process modeling

Statistical analysis

QbD

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

MSc in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering

PhD in Biotechnology/related field

Tools

Chromatography

Filtration

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Process Development Engineer specializing in Biologics to join their expanding team in Benoni . This role is instrumental in the scale-up and optimization of manufacturing processes for therapeutic proteins and antibodies. You will apply your engineering expertise to improve yield, purity, and cost-effectiveness of biopharmaceutical production. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in biochemical engineering, fermentation or cell culture, and downstream processing, with a proven ability to translate laboratory-scale processes to pilot and commercial scales. This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to contribute to the advancement of life-saving biologics.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up upstream (e.g., cell culture, fermentation) and downstream (e.g., chromatography, filtration) processes for biologic drug substances.
• Design and execute experiments to improve process performance, robustness, and yield.
• Troubleshoot process deviations and implement effective solutions to ensure product quality and manufacturing continuity.
• Author process development reports, validation protocols, and technology transfer documents.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure successful process implementation.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and best practices in biopharmaceutical process development.

Requirements

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process development for biologics manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture or microbial fermentation process development.
• Proficiency in downstream processing techniques, including various modes of chromatography and filtration.
• Strong understanding of process modeling, statistical analysis, and Quality by Design (QbD ) principles.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional training.
• Hybrid work arrangement supporting work-life balance.
• Access to cutting-edge bioprocessing equipment and facilities in Benoni .