Chemical Engineer
Typical job description:
Chemical engineers use scientific principles to develop processes that turn raw materials into useful products. These products include plastics, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, artificial fibres or any other man-made synthetic products. The work involves research, where chemical engineers develop and test new materials and processes or adapt and improve existing ones; and conduct process development experiments and convert these processes to commercially-viable cost effective large-scale operations.
Key Processes:
The exact nature of the work will depend on the size of the employing organisation.
However, it will almost certainly involve:
- develop and test new materials and processes or adapt and improve existing ones
- conduct process development experiments in a laboratory
- contribute to designing and developing the machinery to be used in the production process
- they may be responsible for managing operations of the plant including monitoring, trouble-shooting, maintaining quality control and efficiency, and observing the health and safety of the plant and the wider environment
Entry Level:
Chemical Engineering degree or BTEC HNC/HND in chemical related subject
Search for related degrees or courses:
Pay and conditions:
Graduates starting salaries range between 18,000GBP and 27,000GBP a year.
Experienced chemical engineers can earn between 30,000GBP and 40,000GBP a year.
Senior chartered chemical engineers earn 40,000GBP to 60,000GBP (average are around 52,000GBP a year).
Chemical engineers working in a research or development team normally work a 37-hour week. Those working on development projects can work 50 hours or more a week, including evenings and weekends.
Industry Standard:
Degree in Chemical Engineering
Competencies:
- Have an aptitude for science and technology
- Effective computing, literacy and numeracy skills
- Conceptual Thinking
- Tenacity
- Analytical Thinking
- Initiative
- Efficiency Orientation
- Concern for Standards
- Critical Information Seeking
- Rational Persuasion
- Thoroughness
Knowledge needed for the role:
- have an aptitude and interest in chemistry
- have mathematical ability and be able to understand engineering principles
- have good verbal and written communication skills
- have analytical and problem solving skills
- have a high standard of computer literacy
- understand computer-aided design
- be able to work as part of a team.