Senior Process Development Engineer - Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health, dental and vision insurance

Generous annual leave and sick leave

Performance-based bonus

Retirement savings plan with employer"

Professional development opportunities

R&D facilities and equipment

Collaborative culture in Pretoria

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Process Development Engineer for our client in Pretoria, Gauteng, to lead development, optimization and scale-up of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.

You will design experiments, build process models, ensure GMP compliance, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, QA and validation to deliver safe, efficient medicines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 6+ years of experience in process development and scale-up in pharma.
• Strong GMP, process validation and regulatory knowledge.
• Experience with sterile filtration, lyophilization, aseptic processing, tablets.
• Proficiency in process simulation software and statistics (JMP, Minitab).
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Effective communication across diverse teams.
• Experience with technology transfer and plant commissioning is a plus.
• Lean/Six Sigma knowledge is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and optimization of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate process parameters and equipment.
• Scale-up activities from lab to pilot to commercial manufacturing.
• Develop process models and simulations to predict outcomes.
• Troubleshoot technical issues and drive improvements.
• Ensure GMP, safety and environmental compliance.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, QA and validation teams.
• Prepare detailed technical reports and validation plans.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to team development.

Skills

GMP knowledge

Problem solving

Project management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Team collaboration

Regulatory understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Chemical/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

JMP

Minitab

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished entity within the pharmaceutical sector, is actively seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Process Development Engineer to join their innovative team in Pretoria, Gauteng . This crucial role focuses on the development, optimization, and scale-up of manufacturing processes for novel pharmaceutical products. The ideal candidate will possess a strong engineering background combined with a deep understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing principles and regulatory compliance. This position offers a fantastic opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and contribute directly to the efficient and safe production of life‑saving medicines. The role is based in our client's advanced facility in Pretoria , offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment. We are looking for a results‑oriented individual with a proven ability to troubleshoot complex engineering challenges and drive process improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of new and existing pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate process parameters and equipment performance.
• Perform process scale‑up activities from laboratory to pilot plant and commercial manufacturing.
• Develop process models and simulations to predict and improve process outcomes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues related to manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Ensure all process development activities comply with GMP, safety regulations, and environmental standards.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including R&D, manufacturing operations, quality assurance, and validation.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, documentation, and validation plans.
• Identify and implement innovative technologies and methodologies to enhance process efficiency and product quality.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical development of the team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in process development and scale‑up within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Strong understanding of GMP principles, process validation, and regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience with various pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies (e.g., sterile filtration, lyophilization, aseptic processing, tablet compression).
• Proficiency in process simulation software and statistical analysis tools (e.g., JMP, Minitab).
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse teams.
• Experience with technology transfer and plant commissioning is a plus.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma principles is advantageous.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance benefits.
• Generous annual leave and paid sick leave.
• Performance‑based bonus structure.
• Retirement savings plan with employer contribution.
• Professional development opportunities, including training and conferences.
• State‑of‑the‑art R&D facilities and equipment.
• A collaborative and innovative work culture in Pretoria .