Systems Chemical Engineer in City of London

This is not a conventional chemical engineering role. Bryden Wood is looking for someone who thinks at the level of systems — as comfortable challenging the framing of a problem as solving it — and who finds the early stage of a capital project the most intellectually interesting place to be. SAINT - Systemisation for the acceleration of the introduction of new technologies - is Bryden Wood’s most rapidly growing and intellectually distinctive business unit. We sit at the juncture of management consulting and architectural and engineering design, carrying out early-stage capital project design and due diligence studies for leading companies in life sciences, green energy and chemicals, and nuclear. We apply systems thinking, transdisciplinary collaboration, and iterative design thinking to problems that conventional engineering consultancies address through sequential, specification-driven methods.

The work is genuinely varied — across sectors, scales, and disciplines — with direct exposure to senior technical leadership and client relationships. You will work on problems that matter at the most consequential stage of major capital programmes, alongside people who take ideas seriously. We are actively seeking mid-career candidates as well as more senior hires and are flexible on seniority where the profile is right.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead or contribute to discovery-phase and FEL studies, developing process concepts, technology assessments, and system-level design solutions.
• Apply systems thinking and iterative design approaches to complex process problems, challenging conventional solutions where better alternatives exist.
• Work across disciplines — collaborating with architects, automation engineers, analysts, and the DfMA and systemisation team to develop integrated solutions.
• Engage directly with clients in technical workshops, study presentations, and strategic discussions.
• Contribute to the intellectual development of SAINT's methodology and approach.
• Mentor and develop earlier-career colleagues as the team grows.

Technical Skills and KnowledgeEssential

• Meaningful experience in R&D, process technology development, technical support, or early-stage design — rather than primarily detailed engineering or site-based roles.
• Demonstrated ability to think at the system level — understanding interactions, constraints, and opportunities across a process or technology rather than optimising individual components.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous, iterative environments without a detailed specification.
• Strong written, verbal, and visual communication — able to explain complex technical ideas clearly to non-specialist audiences, including through diagrams, schematics, and other graphical means.
• Deep understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals allied with a broad science, engineering, and socio-economic awareness.
• Experience in at least one of SAINT's primary sectors: life sciences/biopharma, green energy and chemicals, or nuclear/advanced manufacturing and chemicals, nuclear energy or advanced manufacturing.

Desirable

• Experience across two or more of SAINT's primary sectors.
• Strong capability in mathematical modelling using process simulation tools or other methods.
• Experience working with or for clients in the USA.
• Familiarity with DfMA, platform thinking, or modular design approaches.
• Entrepreneurial or startup experience in a process or chemistry-related field.

Skills and BehavioursThe Kind of Person Who Thrives at SAINT

• Intellectual curiosity that extends beyond their own specialism — they want to understand the whole system, not just their part of it.
• Comfort with ambiguity and iteration — they are energised by problems that do not yet have a defined solution.
• Collaborative instinct — they work best when thinking with others across disciplinary boundaries, not delivering in isolation.
• Honesty and directness.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in chemical engineering or a closely related discipline; PhD desirable but not essential where equivalent depth of thinking is demonstrated through career evidence.
• Sufficient post-qualification experience to operate credibly at the level of seniority applied for — we are recruiting across a range from mid-career to senior.

Career development and progression

SAINT is growing rapidly and the team is genuinely collaborative — which means real opportunities to take on growing responsibilities, shape your own role, and influence the group's direction and capabilities. There are many experienced people in the team who are willing to support the professional development of self-motivated colleagues.

At Bryden Wood, we offer a range of company perks, including:

• 9-Day Fortnight: Enjoy one extra day off every other week, with no extra hours required and no change to your salary.
• Paid Professional Membership: We cover eligible professional memberships.
• Private Healthcare: Fully funded by us.
• Career Progression: Regular performance reviews to support your growth.
• Pension Scheme: We match contributions up to 5%.
• Personal Accident Insurance and Group Life Scheme: Additional financial protection.
• Cycle to Work and EV Schemes: Support for greener travel.
• Learning Opportunities: Regular CPDs and development opportunities.
• Social Events: Office lunches, outings, and monthly socials.

*Benefits vary depending on geographical location and will be discussed at interview.

How to apply

To apply please send your CV to bw@adeptotechnical.co.uk.

Additional information.

Appointment to this role will be subject to satisfactory references and possession of valid Right to Work documentation for the relevant location. To protect the interests of all parties, Bryden Wood will not accept unsolicited or speculative CVs from recruitment agencies and will not be responsible for any associated fees. Bryden Wood is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. Working in a diverse society, we recognise that our clients, colleagues, and contractors are central to our success.