Chemical Process Engineer- API R&D

Job Title: Chemical Process Engineer API R&D

Location: Kolkata
Department: Research & Development (API)
Reporting To: R&D Manager / Head Process Development
Employment Type: Full-Time

Role Overview

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Chemical Engineer to join our API R&D team. The role involves developing and optimizing chemical processes, ensuring scalability, safety, and efficiency, and supporting seamless technology transfer to manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize synthetic processes for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) at lab and kilo scale in collaboration with chemists and process scientists.
• Design and execute experiments using Design of Experiments (DoE) and conduct reaction engineering studies for critical unit operations.
• Assess process scalability, safety, and sustainability to enable efficient technology transfer to manufacturing plants.
• Perform material and energy balances, process simulations, and equipment sizing.
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive process documentation, including PFDs, P&IDs, risk assessments, scale-up reports, and technology transfer dossiers.
• Conduct and participate in process hazard analysis (PHA), HAZOP studies, and safety evaluations.
• Troubleshoot issues related to scale-up and manufacturing in coordination with production teams.
• Support preparation of regulatory documentation, including DMFs and QbD filings.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as Analytical R&D, Quality Assurance, and EHS.
• Stay updated with and apply modern API manufacturing technologies such as flow chemistry, continuous processing, and photochemistry.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering (B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech).
• 5–8 years of experience in API process development or pharmaceutical R&D.
• Strong knowledge of chemical reaction engineering, kinetics, and unit operations.
• Familiarity with cGMP, ICH guidelines, QbD principles, and regulatory requirements for APIs.
• Hands-on experience with lab-scale and kilo-lab equipment (reactors, filtration, drying systems).
• Experience with process simulation tools such as Aspen Plus, ChemCAD, or equivalent is preferred.