Chemical Engineers
Additional Information
Duties
The following are typical tasks performed by chemical engineers:
- Investigate novel and more efficient production methods.
- Working with hazardous substances requires proper safety protocols.
- Use chemically controlled procedures to separate different components of liquids and gases, or to generate electrical currents.
- Plan and design the arrangement of the various pieces of equipment.
- Production processes should be tested and monitored at all times.
- Find and fix manufacturing process flaws.
- Equipment and procedures must be inspected to verify compliance with safety and pollution requirements.
- Prepare a cost estimate for management based on actual manufacturing expenses.
"Process Engineers," as they are called, are chemical engineers who specialize on one process, such as oxidation or polymerization (making plastics and resins).
Others, like nanotechnology (very small compounds) or bioengineering, focus on a narrow area of study. Then there are some that focus on a single product line.
There are a number of other industries in which chemical engineers have a role. They need to be aware of the impact production has on the environment, as well as the safety of both employees and customers.
Education
Chemical engineers should study chemistry, physics, and biology in high school. They should also take algebra, trigonometry, and calculus to prepare for college.
Chemical engineering is a popular undergraduate major. Coursework, lab work, and fieldwork are all part of a four-year chemical engineering degree program in certain colleges, students can get both a bachelor's and master's degree in engineering in five years. Engineers with doctorates work in research and development or as college lecturers.
Several schools and colleges provide internships and/or joint programs with industry. It is feasible to earn a degree while working.
ABET certifies engineering programs. Chemical engineering programs approved by ABET include chemistry, physics, biology, and other pertinent fields. Process design, analysis, and control programs in chemistry, physics, and biology are included.
Importance Criteria
Troubleshooting designs that don't work is a requirement for chemical engineers. It's up to them to ask the proper questions and provide the correct answers.
Creativity. Chemists must think beyond the box to use engineering ideas. Chemical and biological engineers work on new materials, better production techniques, and new uses.
Ingenuity. However, chemical engineers must apply their expertise to specific manufacturing difficulties in their jobs.
Interaction with others. To execute their jobs well, chemical engineers must establish good working relationships with everyone involved in the production process.
Math savvy Chemists employ calculus extensively in their analysis, design, and troubleshooting.
Possessing problem-solving skills. They must be able to anticipate and detect issues such as worker safety and environmental protection while creating industrial equipment and procedures.
Licenses and certifications.
Unlike other engineering careers, chemical engineers do not need to be licensed to start. A Professional Engineer (PE) license can be earned later in life. Professional engineers are called "licensed engineers" (PEs). A PE can manage others, approve projects, and provide direct public services. A state license generally requires a background check.
ABET-certified engineering degree.
Permission to take the FE exam is necessary.
Qualifying work experience usually requires four years.
Engineer (PE) certification.
The first FE test can be taken after a bachelor's degree. Engineers who pass this test are usually referred to as interns or EITs (EIs). After gaining work experience, EITs and EIs can take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam (PE).
Each state has its own license. Most states will accept a license from another state as long as the standards meet or exceed their own. Several states require engineers to complete continuing education courses to keep their licenses.
Advancement
Entry-level engineers often work under the supervision of senior engineers. In large firms, new engineers may also be taught in a classroom. Younger engineers have more latitude in generating designs and making decisions on increasingly complicated projects.
Chemical engineers may one day oversee a team of engineers and technicians. Some may advance to management roles in architecture or engineering. Working with a more senior chemical engineer to prepare for managerial positions is typical.
Pay
The median annual wage for chemical engineers was $121,860 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $78,520, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $182,150.
Job Projections
Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.