Senior Process Engineer - Speciality Chemicals

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

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonus structure

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Pension plan and life insurance

Professional growth & international_ex

Remote work options

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Process Engineer in Pretoria to lead the design, development and optimization of specialty chemical processes. You will oversee pilot plant trials, scale-up activities and ensure successful transfer to commercial production.

The role requires deep expertise in reaction engineering and process safety. You will mentor junior engineers, collaborate with R&D, production and other teams to drive innovation and maintain operational excellence in a cutting-edge manufacturing

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Chemical Engineering or closely related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in the chemical industry, specialty chemicals.
• Proven track record in process design, scale-up, troubleshooting and safety.
• Experience with process simulation tools such as Aspen HYSYS or ChemCAD.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and optimization of processes for specialty chemical manufacturing.
• Oversee pilot plant trials and scale-up activities for transfer to production.
• Perform rigorous process safety analyses (e.g., HAZOP) and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Troubleshoot complex process issues, identify root causes, implement solutions.
• Collaborate with R&D, production, and engineering teams to drive innovation.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance on process matters.

Skills

Process design

Scale-up

Troubleshooting

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Chemical engineering

Thermodynamics

Education

MSc or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen HYSYS

ChemCAD

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively recruiting a highly experienced Senior Process Engineer specializing in the production of specialty chemicals. This position, based in Pretoria, will be responsible for overseeing complex chemical processes, driving innovation in product development, and ensuring operational excellence. You will lead projects focused on process optimization, yield improvement, and the implementation of new technologies within a cutting-edge manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of specialty chemical synthesis and scale-up, contributing to the company's leadership in its market sector and driving advancements from the administrative capital.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of processes for specialty chemical manufacturing.
• Oversee pilot plant trials and scale-up activities, ensuring successful transfer to commercial production.
• Conduct rigorous process safety analyses (e.g., HAZOP) and ensure compliance with all safety regulations.
• Troubleshoot complex process issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
• Collaborate with R&D, production, and engineering teams to drive product and process innovation.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance on process-related matters.

Requirements

• MSc or PhD in Chemical Engineering or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in the chemical industry, with a focus on specialty chemicals.
• Proven track record in process design, scale-up, and troubleshooting.
• Expertise in process simulation tools (e.g., Aspen HYSYS, ChemCAD).
• In-depth knowledge of reaction engineering, thermodynamics, and separation processes.
• Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and executive bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous pension plan and life insurance.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and international exposure.
• Remote work options to support work-life balance for this key role in Pretoria .