Chemical Engineers

Nature of work

Chemical engineers research, develop, and enhance processes, design and select equipment, and provide technical and management services for manufacturing plans that convert raw materials into a wide range of end products. Chemical engineers work in a wide range of manufacturing and processing industries, consulting firms, government, research, and educational institutions. Chemical engineers may specialize in the products and processes of an industry like pulp and paper manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, energy processing, plastics, metal extraction and refining, or adhesives and coatings production. They may also specialize in functional areas of various industries like process control, pollution control or fermentation processes.

Job duties

Chemical engineers:

• Carry out economic and technical feasibility studies in areas related to chemical, petroleum, pulp and paper, food, or other processing industries.
• Research the development or improvement of chemical engineering processes, reactions, and materials.
• Evaluate chemical process technology and equipment and determine production specifications.
• Design and test chemical processing and associated plants and equipment.
• Oversee the construction, modification, operation and maintenance of pilot plants, processing units or processing plants.
• Manage quality control programs, operating procedures, and control strategies to make sure raw materials, products and waste products or emissions meet established standards.
• Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for the process aspects of industrial construction.
• Supervise technicians, technologists, and other engineers.
• May work in an administrative capacity, for example, in the development of guidelines and specifications for the handling of dangerous chemicals, environmental protection, or standards for foods, materials and consumer goods.

Sample job titles

• biochemical engineer
• biotechnical engineer
• chemical engineer
• chemical process engineer
• electrochemical engineer
• environmental chemical engineer
• petrochemical engineer
• waste treatment engineer

Skills

You should be interested in the use and application of chemicals in process industries. Good observation skills and the ability to think analytically and logically are important. You should be patient and curious, and enjoy problem-solving and carrying out experiments. The ability to communicate and cooperate with others is necessary, as engineers often work in teams. Computer skills are also very helpful.

Job requirements

• A bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or in a related engineering discipline.
• A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
• Licensing by a provincial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practice as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
• Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.

Other considerations

Workers should be prepared to keep up to date with changing technology. Some engineers work in an office, while others work in laboratories, industrial plants, or construction sites where they inspect, supervise, and solve on-site problems. Supervisory and senior positions in this group require experience. There is considerable mobility between chemical engineering specializations at the less senior levels. Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and gain knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practice in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing, or management. Chemical engineers work closely with chemists and other scientists and engineers and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization.

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