Specialty Chemicals Process Engineer

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

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Specialty Chemicals Process Engineer to join a remotely-based, innovative team with occasional travel to Port Elizabeth and other sites in South Africa. You will lead development and optimization of advanced processes for high-performance specialty chemicals, translating lab breakthroughs into scalable production methods.

You will collaborate with researchers and manufacturing teams, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance while driving continuous

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in process engineering focusing on specialty chemicals.
• Proven track record in scaling up complex chemical processes from R&D to commercial production.

Responsibilities

• Lead process development and optimization for novel specialty chemical manufacturing.
• Design and conduct experiments at lab and pilot scales to validate process concepts.
• Develop detailed process documentation including PFDs, P&IDs, and mass/energy balances.
• Perform process safety assessments and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Support technology transfer to manufacturing sites during scale-up.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define product specs and manufacturing requirements.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Crystallization

Filtration

Drying technologies

PFDs & P&IDs

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Specialty Chemicals Process Engineer to join their innovative team, with the role based remotely but requiring occasional travel. This position focuses on the development and optimization of advanced processes for high-performance specialty chemicals. You will leverage your deep understanding of chemical reactions, separation techniques, and scale-up principles to drive the creation of next-generation products. The role involves close collaboration with research scientists and manufacturing teams to translate laboratory breakthroughs into commercially viable production methods, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technological advancement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead process development and optimization for novel specialty chemical manufacturing.
• Design and conduct experiments at lab and pilot scales to validate process concepts.
• Develop detailed process documentation, including PFDs, P&IDs, and mass/energy balances.
• Perform process safety assessments and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
• Support technology transfer to manufacturing sites, providing technical expertise during scale-up.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define product specifications and manufacturing requirements.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in process engineering, with a strong focus on specialty chemicals.
• Proven track record in scaling up complex chemical processes from R&D to commercial production.
• Expertise in reaction engineering, crystallization, filtration, and drying technologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for a remote and hybrid team environment, and for occasional travel to Port Elizabeth and other sites.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and a generous performance-based bonus program.
• Remote work flexibility with provided home office setup support.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Significant budget for professional development, training, and conferences.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects in the specialty chemicals sector.