Senior Process Engineer - Advanced Materials

Placements24; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Performance bonuses

Professional development

State-of-the-art facilities

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Process Engineer in Johannesburg to lead the development and optimization of scalable production processes for advanced materials. You will bridge R&D and manufacturing, ensuring efficient, safe and cost-effective operations.

With 7+ years in process engineering, you will drive DOE studies, validate changes, and mentor a growing team while collaborating across departments to deliver robust, industrial-scale processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in process engineering in manufacturing.
• Proven track record in process development, scale-up and optimization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize scalable manufacturing processes for advanced materials.
• Conduct DOE studies to optimize parameters and validate changes.
• Collaborate with R&D to translate pilot processes into production-scale operations.
• Ensure safety, environmental, and quality standards compliance (ISO).
• Mentor junior engineers and production staff.

Skills

Process development

DOE proficiency

Statistical SPC

Risk analysis

Education

Bachelor/Master in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

HYSYS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in advanced manufacturing, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Process Engineer to join their dynamic team in Johannesburg . This critical role will focus on optimizing and developing cutting-edge production processes for new material technologies. You will be instrumental in scaling up laboratory innovations to full-scale manufacturing, ensuring efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. This is a fantastic opportunity for a driven engineer to make a significant impact within a growing industry, contributing to the development of materials that will shape the future.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and refine manufacturing processes for advanced materials, ensuring scalability and repeatability.
• Conduct detailed process analysis, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions to improve yield, throughput, and quality.
• Collaborate closely with R&D teams to translate pilot-scale processes into robust, industrial-scale operations.
• Design and execute experiments (DOE) to optimize process parameters and validate process changes.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive process documentation, including PFDs, P&IDs, SOPs, and batch records.
• Troubleshoot complex process issues, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective actions.
• Ensure all processes comply with relevant safety, environmental, and quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001).
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and production staff.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and equipment to enhance manufacturing capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in process engineering within a manufacturing environment, preferably in advanced materials or specialty chemicals.
• Proven track record in process development, scale‑up, and optimization.
• Strong understanding of chemical reactions, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and unit operations relevant to material processing.
• Proficiency in statistical process control (SPC) and Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Experience with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS) is advantageous.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across different departments.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and environmental compliance in a manufacturing setting.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience and expertise.
• This includes a comprehensive medical aid scheme, a generous provident fund contribution, performance-based bonuses, and opportunities for professional development and further training.
• You will also have access to state-of-the-art facilities and work on exciting, industry-leading projects.
• The company fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment, promoting work-life balance and employee well-being.
• Relocation assistance may be considered for exceptional candidates outside of Johannesburg .