Home

Chemical Engineer

Do you want to become a Chemical Engineer? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Chemical engineers apply their knowledge to changing raw materials into products. They deal with all kinds of materials, in addition to chemicals, and they extract as many products as they can from raw materials in a cost-effective and safe way.

• In processing environments: they process raw materials into products such as paper, cosmetics, food, drugs, textiles, fuel and metals.
• In research environments: they are involved in energy processing, cryogenics, propellants, microchips and skin tissue engineering.
• In production environments: they may be involved in the construction and day to day operation of the processing plant.

Chartered engineers may be involved in research and development, or manufacture and installation. Incorporated engineers specialise in developing and applying modern technology to engineering applications.

Most chemical engineers in laboratories and research establishments work around 37 hours a week. However, chemical engineers working in processing and operations may work up to 50 hours a week. Working hours are often irregular and may include shift work to include evenings and weekends.

Salaries range from around £23,000 for a graduate starting salary to an average of £62,000 a year for a chartered chemical engineer. Senior engineers may earn around £150,000.

Chemical engineers should:

• understand engineering principles and processes
• have good communication skills
• have a logical approach
• be able to express ideas and conclusions in writing
• have a very high standard of computer literacy.

Chemical engineers may be employed by large international companies, research organisations and smaller firms in many different industries. These include the oil and gas industry, chemical and allied products, food, energy, pharmaceuticals, utility companies, central government departments and with engineering contract companies.

Most chemical engineers are graduates and have followed a full-time degree course in chemical engineering. Applicants usually need at least five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) and three A levels/four H grades, normally including maths, chemistry and an additional science, preferably physics or biology, or equivalent qualifications.

Entrants should aim to obtain either Incorporated or Chartered status.

Prospects vary according to the employer and opportunities may be greater in larger organisations. There may be opportunities for experienced chemical engineers to become project leaders, or eventually to progress into senior management positions.

More Useful Resources - Chemical Engineer:

Do you know of a useful and relevant website that would be helpful to our users? Tell us about it by emailing