Senior Process Development Scientist - Chemical Engineering

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Training & certifications

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Process Development Scientist for our client in Upington, Northern Cape. The role focuses on optimizing and scaling chemical processes, with hands-on pilot plant work and process troubleshooting.

The ideal candidate holds MSc or PhD in Chemical Engineering and at least 5 years in process development or manufacturing, with expertise in process simulations and safety/compliance. Relocation support is available.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process development, scale-up, or manufacturing within the chemical industry.
• Strong understanding of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and mass transfer principles.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyze pilot plant trials to optimize existing chemical processes and develop new ones.
• Investigate and resolve process-related issues in full-scale manufacturing.
• Develop and implement process control strategies for consistent quality and yield.

Skills

Process development

Pilot plant ops

Hazard analyses

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

PSM & env regs

Project mgmt

Communication

Education

MSc or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading manufacturer of specialty chemicals, is seeking an experienced Senior Process Development Scientist to join their engineering team in **Upington, Northern Cape**. This role is critical for optimizing and scaling up chemical manufacturing processes, ensuring efficiency, safety, and product quality. You will be responsible for designing, executing, and analyzing pilot-scale studies, troubleshooting production issues, and implementing process improvements. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in chemical engineering, process chemistry, and hands-on experience in a manufacturing or R&D environment. This position is based at our state-of-the-art facility in **Upington**, offering a challenging yet rewarding career opportunity in a vital industrial sector. We are committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, and this role is key to achieving those goals. Join us to drive operational excellence and contribute to the advancement of chemical manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyze pilot plant trials to optimize existing chemical processes and develop new ones.
• Investigate and resolve process-related issues encountered in full-scale manufacturing.
• Develop and implement process control strategies to ensure consistent product quality and yield.
• Conduct techno-economic evaluations for process modifications and new plant designs.
• Collaborate with R&D chemists and engineers to ensure seamless scale-up from lab to plant.
• Perform hazard assessments (e.g., HAZOP studies) and ensure processes meet safety and environmental standards.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, including P&IDs, mass balances, and operating procedures.
• Train plant operators and technicians on new or modified processes.
• Stay current with advancements in chemical engineering and process technologies.
• Contribute to capital expenditure projects by providing process engineering input.

Requirements

• MSc or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process development, scale-up, or manufacturing within the chemical industry.
• Strong understanding of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and mass transfer principles.
• Hands-on experience with pilot plant operations and troubleshooting manufacturing issues.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS).
• Experience with process safety management (PSM) and environmental regulations.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong project management abilities and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across different departments.
• Experience in batch processing and continuous processing environments is advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development, further training, and certifications.
• Exposure to diverse and challenging process engineering projects.
• A safe and supportive work environment with a strong emphasis on safety culture.
• Generous annual leave and company holidays.
• Career progression opportunities within a well-established company.
• Relocation assistance available for suitable candidates.
• Employee wellness programs and initiatives.
• Contribution to the efficiency and innovation of the chemical manufacturing sector.