Otherwise known as ‘universal engineers,’ Chemical Engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math in the design and development of a diverse range of useful products from raw products, while paying heed to health, safety and cost issues. Continue Reading
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Explore Career Otherwise known as ‘universal engineers,’ Chemical Engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math in the design and development of a diverse range of useful products from raw products, while paying heed to health, safety and cost issues.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Chemical Engineer?
A Chemical Engineer would typically need to:
Chemical Engineers work mostly in offices or laboratories. They may spend time at industrial plants, refineries, and other locations, where they monitor or direct operations or solve onsite problems. Chemical Engineers must be able to work with those who design other systems and with the technicians and mechanics who put them into practice.
Some Chemical Engineers travel extensively to plants or worksites, both domestically and abroad. Travel and overseas work depend on the sector and profile of the employing company. Many of the larger manufacturers and consultancies offer roles that involve travel or that are located overseas. Overseas projects may be the norm if you work for a global manufacturer or consultancy.
A business casual attire would be the norm for work at the office, and while meeting clients while working in a lab or a plant would entail safety gear and a uniform.
Nearly all Chemical Engineers work full timekeeping standard 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. working hours. Occasionally, they may have to work additional hours to meet production targets and design standards or troubleshoot problems with manufacturing processes. Some Chemical Engineers work more than 40 hours per week. Jobs in processing and manufacturing may involve shift work, including evenings and weekends.
Any company involved in the large-scale conversion of raw materials into a product needs Chemical Engineers. Employers are as diverse as the products they produce and cover a broad range of industrial sectors. Jobs are widely available, and process plants are located in industrial areas across the globe. Vacancies are advertised online, by careers services and recruitment agencies, local and national newspapers, and technical journals.
Chemical Engineers are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for Chemical Engineers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications.
Employers value practical experience. Undertaking a period of work experience will allow you to practice what you're learning on your course, learn about different areas of operation, manage small projects, develop soft skills in communication and problem-solving, and build up a network of contacts.
Some colleges and universities offer internships and cooperative programs in partnership with industry. Students gain practical experience while completing their education. Some Chemical Engineering degree courses include a year out in the industry. Many university departments offer assistance in securing an industrial placement.
Employers may favor recruiting candidates from their work placement schemes. These are generally vacation placements, typically lasting six to twelve weeks, or extended placements, varying from six months to a year. This type of placement can offer the opportunity to work on a more extensive project in the industry.
During high school, students can attend engineering summer camps to see what these and other engineers do. Attending these camps can help students plan their coursework for the remainder of their time in high school.
Chemical Engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field. The following degree subjects may be particularly relevant: applied chemistry, biochemical/process engineering, biomedical engineering, chemistry, environmental engineering, nuclear engineering, and polymer science/technology. Programs usually take four years to complete and include classroom, laboratory, and field studies.
At some universities, students can enroll in five-year Engineering programs that lead to a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. A graduate degree, which may include a degree to the PhD level, allows an engineer to work in research and development or as a postsecondary teacher.
For jobs, candidates with a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering may have the edge over candidates with a bachelor’s degree. An alternative route into this profession is to do an undergraduate degree in chemistry and then do a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
Some employers may accept a foundation degree in the physical or applied sciences, although you might work at a lower level, in the beginning. You will need to complete further qualifications if you wish to become chartered.
Several employers and professional organizations offer financial sponsorship for students studying Chemical Engineering at university. Companies typically advertise sponsorship schemes on their websites.
Voluntary certification from an objective, credible, and reputed organization is often seen as evidence of an individual’s drive and motivation, giving them a leg up for raises and promotions.
Successful certification programs serve and protect the public welfare by investigating individuals that practice outside of the program’s Code of Ethics. They help a profession secure its future by earning trust and respect.
The industry’s dynamic nature means you can expect to be offered significant CPD opportunities to develop new knowledge. The nature of the work provides you with a variety of skills and enables you to handle a range of technical, environmental, and commercial challenges.
Preparing for management positions usually requires working under the guidance of a more experienced Chemical Engineer. As junior engineers gain knowledge and experience, they move to more difficult projects with greater independence to develop designs, solve problems, and make decisions. This allows for promotion to senior management more quickly than is possible in some other sectors.
Initially, you will gain experience from a variety of projects, either within the same company or, after gaining chartership, by changing companies. After training in the early years, there are various possible career routes.
You can continue working on projects to become a project manager. You develop expertise in a new technique or process in demand within the industry and move into research and development. You move into specialist roles, such as safety and risk management or environmental management. You move into commercial areas, such as technical sales, marketing, supply chain management, personnel, finance, and information technology.
Eventually, Chemical Engineers may advance to supervise a team of engineers and technicians. Some may become Architectural and Engineering Managers.
As you progress in your career, you will typically be promoted to become a Senior Engineer, a Process Manager, a Plant Manager, and, finally, an Operations Manager. Once you have reached a senior position, you will have the opportunity to shape the business’s technical leadership and direction. In some cases, there will be opportunities to sit on the board of Directors.
Freelance consulting work in a specialist area of Chemical Engineering is another viable career path. An engineering background enables Chemical Engineers to discuss a product’s technical aspects and assist in product planning and use.
The need to find alternative fuels to meet increasing energy demand while maintaining environmental sustainability will continue to require the expertise of Chemical Engineers in oil- and gas-related industries. Besides, the integration of chemical and biological sciences and rapid advances in innovation will create new areas in biotechnology and in the medical and pharmaceutical fields for them to work in. Those with a background in biology will have better chances to gain employment.
Entry-level Chemical Engineers usually work under the supervision of experienced engineers. In large companies, new Chemical Engineers may receive formal training in classrooms or seminars. Many companies offer graduates internal training schemes to make sure they get a broad spectrum of experience needed to develop a career as a professional Chemical Engineer. The scheme, if followed correctly, should ensure each graduate becomes a well-rounded and competent professional.
If you work towards a chartership, you can usually expect your employer to provide a mentor and supplement your regular development training with relevant technical training for specific projects. You'll need to provide evidence that you have the relevant professional experience for getting chartered status and have completed enough continuing professional development (CPD).
Several locations require chartered Chemical Engineers to take continuing education to keep their licenses. Once you obtain CEng status, you'll need to continue maintaining your CPD throughout your career through conferences, short courses, digital training resources, seminars and e-learning modules, and courses.
The majority of Chemical Engineers develop their skills through structured in-house training programs, which involve formal training sessions and planned rotations across relevant departments. May study for professional examinations that lead towards incorporated or chartered engineering qualifications.
What keeps Chemical Engineers Busy?
As a Chemical Engineer, you will be involved in the design and development of a diverse range of products. Your work will focus on changing the chemical, biochemical, and physical state of a substance to turn it into something else, such as making plastic from oil.
Chemical Engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve a diversity of problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, clothing, electronics, and paper. They design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing, plan and test production methods and byproducts treatment, and direct facility operations. They must understand how the manufacturing process affects the environment and the safety of workers and consumers.
Modern Chemical Engineering is also concerned with pioneering valuable new materials and techniques, such as nanotechnology, fuel cells, and biomedical engineering.
Specialization in a Process, Field, Product or Sector
Although your daily activities will be extremely diverse and largely depend on the role and the sector in which you work, there is also scope for specialization. Some Chemical Engineers, known as process engineers, specialize in a particular process, such as oxidation (a reaction of oxygen with chemicals to make other chemicals) or polymerization (making plastics and resins). Others specialize in a particular field, such as nanomaterials (tiny substances) or biological engineering. Still, others specialize in developing specific products.
Examples of work activities in specific sectors include undertaking small and intermediate-scale manufacturing and packaging activities in pharmaceutical product development for clinical trial purposes, developing new methods of safe nuclear energy production, including projects such as conceptual design, simulation and construction of test rigs, and detailed design and operations support.
Other Opportunities
There are employment opportunities at engineering consultancy and contracting firms that design and manufacture chemical process plants and equipment. You are likely to design and commission a new plant or modify an existing one but require mechanical engineering knowledge.
If you’re passionate about something and want to make a difference, there's a guaranteed way to do that with Chemical Engineering.
Have the courage to do things differently. Keep pushing forward despite failures. Once you graduate, never stop learning and create a comprehensive personal and professional network of contacts - in Chemical Engineering and outside the field.
Chemical Engineers use green manufacturing technology to reduce waste in the production of ibuprofen, helping us cope with the headaches of everyday life without creating headaches for the natural world!
What do Chemical Engineers do?
A Chemical Engineer would typically need to:
Accredited
$78,563
