Chemical Engineer

Also known as:

Engineer, Chemical

Introduction

Chemical engineers are concerned with the processes that cause changes in the chemical or physical make-up of substances. They use this knowledge to produce a wide range of everyday products, including plastics, fibres, dyes, drugs and medicines, paints, household cleaners and detergents.

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Work Activities

Chemical engineers change raw materials into products that we use. They help to create and develop the processes that are used to make a huge range of products, including artificial fibres, detergents, food and drink, fuels, household cleaners, paints, pharmaceuticals and plastics.

They often lead teams of other professionals and get involved in every stage of a project.

When chemical engineers design a new process, they think carefully about its eventual cost, safety and any impact on the environment that it may have. Research is an important part of their work.

To put a process plant into action involves the detailed design of the chemical reactors, heat exchangers, separation systems, storage vessels and all the other types of equipment that are used in the process plant.

Chemical engineers pay a great deal of attention to safety. This includes managing the control systems that are needed for safe and economic operation of the process.

Once a plant has been commissioned, chemical engineers are responsible for its management and operation, and often for leading teams of technicians, plant operators and maintenance staff.

They also work on project design, for example, deciding whether a product should be made as a solid, a liquid or a spray. Design work involves the use of computer-aided design (CAD) technology.

Chemical engineers work closely with other experts. For example, they may be involved with civil engineers to provide foundations, access roads and structures to support the various plant items.

They work with mechanical engineers on the design, development and installation of specialist equipment, and with electrical engineers on the supply of power.

Chemical engineers may also work with scientists in process and product development, or perhaps with accountants and marketing professionals to consider the commercial aspects of production.

Chemical engineers have a vital role to play in protecting the environment. They work on ways to sustain natural resources, recycle materials and find new renewable resources. They aim to develop alternative technologies to solve problems such as the greenhouse effect and acid rain.

Work takes place in offices, factories, laboratories and/or at a construction site or plant.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

Chemical engineers must enjoy solving problems and be committed to keeping up to date with advances in this fast-changing area.

You must have strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact with engineers from other disciplines. You are also likely to need management skills, including the ability to lead and motivate others.

Chemical engineers should have an excellent grasp of modern technology, including good IT skills.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries for chemical engineers vary, depending on industrial sector, employer, role and responsibilities.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Chemical engineers earn in the range of £25,000 - £31,500 a year, rising to around £40,000 - £50,000. Higher earners can make around £58,000 a year, and higher salaries are possible.

Chemical engineers work in every industry in which materials undergo physical or chemical change, from paints, polymers and petroleum to beer and breakfast cereals.

Most chemical engineers work in the chemical and allied products field. They also work in the oil industry, pharmaceuticals and toiletries, process plants and related equipment, energy and nuclear fuels, materials industries (plastics, metals and ceramics etc), the water industry and food and drink manufacture.

Engineering contracting companies that design and construct production plant also offer a substantial (and increasing) number of openings for chemical engineers.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Engineering) could be the way in.

These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Sponsorship for higher education study in chemical engineering may be available from the larger engineering and manufacturing companies.

Funding for postgraduate courses is available through universities from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

There are other pathways through which candidates can register as Chartered or Incorporated Engineers, such as career progression from other levels of registration and routes based on the achievement of occupational standards.

• 14% of people in occupations such as chemical engineer have flexible hours.

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New Developments

Some people working in this occupation may be involved in the green jobs sector in areas such as renewable energy or waste management.