Chemical Engineer Career Information

Chemical Engineering combines the principles of mathematics, chemistry and physics with engineering practices in order to improve the human environment.

Chemical Engineers have long been regarded as the most versatile of all engineers; yet many opportunities exist to specialise in a particular area.

Chemical engineers invent, develop, design, operate and manage processes (conversion of raw materials into finished products) in industries. They play key roles in industries as varied as petroleum, petrochemicals, food, materials, specialty chemicals, power production, environmental control, waste management, and biotechnology. Examples of chemical engineering processes are the refining of crude oil by distillation, production of insulin through a fermentation process and production of catalytic converters for reducing automotive emissions.

Chemical engineers have worked on creating the purple rose that has no thorns. The chemical engineering profession has improved water and waste system, created new drugs, and drug delivery systems, and improved the crop yields for farmers just to name a few of the challenges.

The chemical engineering profession began as an interface between chemistry and mechanical engineering in the chemical process industry. Some decades ago nearly all chemical engineers were employed there. From the examples above you can see that the principles of chemical engineering can be applied in other industries as well.

Chemical engineers work in the following areas:

Research: Research engineers work with chemists to develop new ideas and new products. They may come up with a new material or a better way to produce existing products. The mass production of antibiotics, for example, was made possible by chemical engineers in research.

Design: Design engineers create the process that converts a raw material into a final product. Chemists invented the many synthetic fibers we use today, but chemical engineers designed the plants that produce them at an affordable cost.

Development: Chemical engineers look for ways to improve new or existing processes. The 'greening' of much of the Third World is due to a big reduction in the cost of ammonia production, which made it possible for poorer nations to manufacture this important fertilizer.

Production: The manufacture of chemicals requires continuous supervision. Production engineers are always answering questions such as if the product is of the specified purity; if the production rate is what it should be; if control instruments are performing properly and if the process is as safe as possible.

Technical Sales: Why isn't our product doing what it is supposed to for our customers? Could our new product be used more economically than current materials? Why did that new paint peel from one house? Sales engineers answer such questions. People skills, as well as technical ability, are very important for these chemical engineers.

Management: Many chemical engineers are promoted to management positions. While less involved in technology, they make policy and business decisions, train new engineers, and solve human, rather than technical problems. This list is neither complete nor comprehensive. For instance, some chemical engineers work in hospitals to find the best method of administering a particular drug to a patient. There is no limit to the kinds of challenging work chemicals engineers do.

Teaching: Chemical engineers can also work as technical writers, teachers and professors, in fields related to the process industries. Industries like Bioprocessing industry, Food processing, Agrochemicals, Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Petroleum industries are doing well and their future outlook is also encouraging. Chemical engineers will find good career opportunities in these fields.

Chemical Engineers will also find career opportunities in Industrial safety, Environment control and quality control functions of various industries. These functions are increasingly becoming key to industrial production. Chemical engineers would do well if they specialise in one of these areas.

Job Opportunities

Petroleum, chemical, and pharmaceutical companies are the traditional employers of chemical engineers. Today, however, increasing numbers of chemical engineers are hired by the healthcare, design and construction, pulp and paper, petrochemicals, food processing, specialty chemicals, microelectronics, electronic and advanced materials, polymers, business services, biotechnology, environmental health and safety industries, rubber, metal, cement, plastic, and aerospace industries. Government agencies, such as the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency also hire chemical engineers. And, more and more chemical engineers are working in biotechnology.

Chemical engineers work in manufacturing; they also improve food processing techniques, and methods of producing fertilizers, to increase the quantity and quality of available food.

Career Prospects

Industries like Bioprocessing industry, Food processing, Agrochemicals, Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Petroleum industries are doing well and their future outlook is also encouraging. Chemical engineers will find good career opportunities in these fields.

Chemical Engineers will also find career opportunities in Industrial safety, Environment control and quality control functions of various industries. These functions are increasingly becoming key to industrial production. Chemical engineers would do well if they specialise in one of these areas.