Process Engineer

Provide process engineering expertise for process design, process scale-up, trouble-shooting and process efficiency improvements. Interrogate laboratory working directions to determine optimum plant configuration to ensure that the process [chemistry + plant] meets the scale-up objectives in a safe manner. Support capital projects for R&D Jurong.

Key Responsibilities

Lead process engineering activities for NCE projects in the pilot plant.

• Review of chemistry scale-up requests with Chemists, Operations and Engineering to determine optimum plant configuration.
• Define detailed plant and modification design. The time period for introducing new chemistry onto plant is usually less than 4 weeks, during which time any new equipment requirements must be identified, designed, fabricated, installed [by on-site staff or contractors], commissioned, tested and operating staff trained in use before chemical processing starts.
• Agree level of hazard assessment with Operations and complete Process Risk Assessment.
• Review batch record, carry out installation checks, write WI [Work Instruction] or SOP [Standard Operating Procedure] as required and train operators.
• Support campaign on plant, troubleshooting any engineering issues.

Technology Transfers

• Generate sufficient process engineering information for GSC to ensure that the process can be effectively introduced into the desired production plant.
• Support synthetic organic chemists, process safety scientists, and process chemists in the design of processes suitable for effective scale-up.
• Assess critical process characteristics and requirements as well as existing plant capabilities and limitations by gathering and interpreting suitable experimental data.
• Significantly contribute to the development of robust manufacturing processes for the synthesis of bulk drug substance by evaluating alternative processing strategies and recommending potential process improvements.
• As a member of the ChemDev project team, identify and effectively communicate the best suitable scale-up strategy for a process including recommendations for the application of new processing technologies.
• Play an important role in facilitating a seamless technology transfer of processes to GSC by the application of state-of-the-art tools and procedures.

Capital Projects

• Act as client representative for capital projects, to ensure all the customer needs are incorporated into the design and installation of new plant and equipment.
• Identify areas of weakness in the portfolio of processing technologies (plant and equipment) and submit proposals to address these.
• Define and seek approval for the detailed project scope of plant and equipment projects, and obtain approval for capital orders and PIP's.
• Review and make recommendations on design proposals put forward by contractors, project engineers, and equipment suppliers.
• Organise HAZOP studies, act as technical recorder, and issue HAZOP report for all installations where appropriate.
• Issue commissioning programmes, lead commissioning activities, and issue final reports.
• Carry out pre-delivery inspection visits for new equipment, prior to acceptance on site.
• Compile equipment WIs.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• No experience required.
• BS in Chemical Engineering or science related field.
• Up to 5 years working experience in a pharmaceutical plant, or equivalent.
• In depth working knowledge of the pharmaceutical process and the safety and compliance requirements for equipment and systems used in it.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize workload.