Senior Process Development Engineer - Fine Chemicals

Placements24; George; Presencial; ZAR 900.000 - 1.500.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Performance bonus

Medical aid

Retirement fund

International training

R&D exposure

Collaborative environment

Wellness programs

Career advancement

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Process Development Engineer in George, Western Cape, to lead the development of new fine chemicals and APIs from lab to pilot and commercial scale. This role demands strong organic chemistry and chemical engineering skills, with a focus on safety, cGMP, and scalable manufacturing routes.

You will design experiments, manage scale-up projects, and mentor junior engineers while collaborating with R&D, analytical, and production teams to ensure compliant, efficient

Formación

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or Organic Chemistry.

Responsabilidades

• Lead the process development of new fine chemicals and APIs, including route scouting and optimization.
• Design and conduct laboratory experiments and pilot plant trials to assess process feasibility, safety, and scalability.
• Develop detailed process descriptions, PFDs, P&IDs, and batch records for new manufacturing processes.
• Perform process hazard analyses (PHAs) such as HAZOP studies.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges encountered during process development and scale-up.
• Collaborate closely with R&D chemists, analytical scientists, and production teams.
• Ensure all developed processes comply with cGMP and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and equipment for process improvement.
• Mentor junior process development engineers and chemists.

Conocimientos

Process development

Project leadership

Scale‑up

Batch chemistry

Process safety

cGMP compliance

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Technical writing

Modeling/simulation

Educación

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or Organic Chemistry

Herramientas

PFD/PID software

Process modeling tools

Hazard analysis tools

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished manufacturer of fine chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), is seeking an experienced Senior Process Development Engineer to join their innovative team in George, Western Cape. This role is central to the development and optimization of chemical processes for novel compounds, from laboratory scale through to pilot and commercial production. You will play a key part in ensuring efficient, safe, and scalable manufacturing routes. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in organic chemistry and chemical engineering, with a proven ability to troubleshoot complex reactions and unit operations. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the pharmaceutical supply chain and work within a highly regulated, quality-driven environment. Your expertise will be crucial in bringing new chemical entities to market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the process development of new fine chemicals and APIs, including route scouting and optimization.
• Design and conduct laboratory experiments and pilot plant trials to assess process feasibility, safety, and scalability.
• Develop detailed process descriptions, PFDs, P&IDs, and batch records for new manufacturing processes.
• Perform process hazard analyses (PHAs) such as HAZOP studies.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges encountered during process development and scale-up.
• Collaborate closely with R&D chemists, analytical scientists, and production teams.
• Ensure all developed processes comply with cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and equipment for process improvement.
• Mentor junior process development engineers and chemists.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or Organic Chemistry.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in process development, scale-up, and technology transfer within the pharmaceutical or fine chemical industry.
• Demonstrated experience with batch chemical processes, crystallization, filtration, drying, and hazardous reactions.
• In-depth knowledge of process safety principles and risk assessment techniques.
• Familiarity with cGMP regulations and documentation requirements.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Strong technical writing and presentation abilities.
• Experience with process modeling and simulation tools is desirable.
• Ability to lead projects and manage multiple priorities effectively.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance bonus.
• Comprehensive medical aid, including family coverage.
• Generous contribution to a retirement fund.
• Opportunities for international training and conference attendance.
• Exposure to novel drug development processes and advanced technologies.
• A stimulating and collaborative work environment focused on innovation.
• On-site amenities and employee wellness programs.
• Potential for career advancement within a growing organization.