Specialty Chemicals Engineer

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Hybrid work

Benefits package

Professional development

Cutting-edge tech

Job summary

Placements24 in Upington is seeking a seasoned Specialty Chemicals Engineer to drive product development from concept to scale-up, combining hands-on lab work with remote analysis. The role covers synthesis, formulation, process optimization, and manufacturing support, with a hybrid work model and access to cutting-edge chemical technologies.

Candidates should have 5–7 years in specialty chemicals, a solid foundation in organic chemistry and materials science, and strong collaboration and

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 5–7 years of experience in specialty chemical development, synthesis, or formulation.
• Strong understanding of organic chemistry and materials science principles.
• Experience with process scale-up and manufacturing support.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques and analytical instrumentation.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize processes for synthesis and formulation of specialty chemicals.
• Conduct bench-scale experiments, pilot studies, and scale-up trials.
• Characterize product performance and troubleshoot issues in formulation and application.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to understand customer needs and develop tailored solutions.
• Ensure all processes comply with safety, quality, and environmental standards.
• Document research, development activities, and process parameters thoroughly.

Skills

Chemical engineering

Process scale-up

Laboratory techniques

Analytical instrumentation

Organic chemistry

Materials science

Teamwork

Communication

Problem-solving

Formulation development

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a creative and experienced Specialty Chemicals Engineer to contribute to their innovative product development efforts in Upington. This hybrid role allows for flexible work arrangements, combining hands-on laboratory and pilot plant work with remote analysis and design. You will be involved in the entire lifecycle of specialty chemical products, from concept and synthesis to scale-up and manufacturing support. The ideal candidate will have a passion for developing novel chemical solutions and a proven ability to bridge the gap between laboratory discovery and commercial production, working effectively in both on-site and remote settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize processes for the synthesis and formulation of specialty chemicals.
• Conduct bench-scale experiments, pilot studies, and scale-up trials.
• Characterize product performance and troubleshoot issues in formulation and application.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to understand customer needs and develop tailored solutions.
• Ensure all processes comply with safety, quality, and environmental standards.
• Document research, development activities, and process parameters thoroughly.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• 5-7 years of experience in specialty chemical development, synthesis, or formulation.
• Strong understanding of organic chemistry and materials science principles.
• Experience with process scale-up and manufacturing support.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques and analytical instrumentation.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Attractive salary and bonus potential.
• Hybrid work model offering significant flexibility.
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• Generous budget for professional development and training.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge chemical technologies.