Senior R&D Chemical Engineer - Hybrid Process Innovation

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry-leading compensation

Comprehensive health benefits

Generous retirement contributions

R&D project bonuses

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Research & Development Chemical Engineer to lead advanced R&D initiatives in Pretoria, Gauteng. The role combines laboratory work with strategy, collaboration, and mentoring in a hybrid setup, enabling focused innovation and scalable technologies.

You will drive process development, apply high-level modeling, and guide projects from lab to pilot plant, shaping next-generation chemical products and processes for industrial deployment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering with strong R&D focus.
• 12+ years in chemical R&D, including process development.
• Track record of bringing products or processes to commercialization.
• Leadership and ability to mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage R&D projects from concept to pilot-scale validation.
• Design experiments to develop and optimize new synthesis routes and processing.
• Use modeling and simulation tools to predict process behavior.
• Analyze data, interpret results, and generate technical reports.
• Collaborate with marketing, manufacturing, and partners on scale-up.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to the team.
• Identify emerging technologies aligned with strategy.
• Ensure safety, health, and environmental compliance.
• Contribute to IP through disclosures and patent apps.
• Present findings at internal reviews and external conferences.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Custom Modeler

gPROMS

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Research & Development Chemical Engineer to lead advanced R&D initiatives in Pretoria, Gauteng. The role combines laboratory work with strategy, collaboration, and mentoring in a hybrid setup, enabling focused innovation and scalable technologies.

You will drive process development, apply high-level modeling, and guide projects from lab to pilot plant, shaping next-generation chemical products and processes for industrial deployment.