Chemical Engineers :: Job Description

ExistingUsers

User Name:

Password:

Forgot your password?
Click here

NewUsers

FeaturedResources

Chemical Engineers

Careers / Chemical Engineers

Summary Description


	Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Absorption and Adsorption Engineer

2.	Automation Engineer

3.	Blending Coordinator

4.	Chemical Engineer

5.	Chemical Process Control, Design, or Development Engineer

6.	Chemical Process Engineer

7.	Chemical Research Engineer

8.	Chemical Test Engineer

9.	Commissioning Engineer

10.	Design Engineer

11.	Development Engineer

12.	Engineer

13.	Engineering Scientist

14.	Explosives Engineer

15.	Fuels Engineer

16.	Gas Combustion Engineer

17.	Lubricating Engineer

18.	Monomer Recovery Supervisor

19.	Nanotechnologist

20.	Oxidation Engineer

21.	Pharmaceutical Process Engineer

22.	Plant Engineer

23.	Plastics Engineer

24.	Poly Area Supervisor

25.	Polymerization Engineer

26.	Polymerization Supervisor

27.	Process Control Engineer

28.	Process Design Chemical Engineer

29.	Process Design Engineer

30.	Process Development Director

31.	Process Development Engineer

32.	Process Engineer

33.	Processes Chemical Design Engineer

34.	Project Engineer

35.	Refinery Process Engineer

36.	Research Chemical Engineer

37.	Sand Analyst

38.	Sand Technologist

39.	Scientist

40.	Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE)

41.	Technical Supervisor

42.	Weapons Designer

43.	Weapons Engineer

Job Tasks

	Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to on-going chemical reactions.

	Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.

	Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

	Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.

	Determine most effective arrangement of operations such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying.

	Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.

	Design and plan layout of equipment.

	Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.

	Design measurement and control systems for chemical plants based on data collected in laboratory experiments and in pilot plant operations.

	Develop processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents using controlled chemical processes.

	Perform laboratory studies of steps in manufacture of new product and test proposed process in small scale operation such as a pilot plant.

	Direct activities of workers who operate or who are engaged in constructing and improving absorption, evaporation, or electromagnetic equipment.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.


		use intuitive judgment for engineering analyses

		resolve engineering or science problems

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.


		collect scientific or technical data

		read technical drawings

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.


		analyze engineering design problems

		analyze scientific research data or investigative findings

		analyze chemical experimental, test, or analysis data or findings

		conduct laboratory research or experiments

		conduct standardized qualitative laboratory analyses

		conduct standardized quantitative laboratory analyses

		evaluate costs of engineering projects

		evaluate engineering data

		evaluate manufacturing or processing systems

		provide analytical assessment of engineering data

		analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications

		analyze project proposal to determine feasibility, cost, or time

		analyze test data

		analyze engineering test data

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.


		use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks

		use computers to enter, access or retrieve data

		use relational database software

		use spreadsheet software

		use word processing or desktop publishing software

		develop or maintain databases

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.


		confer with research personnel

		confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.


		use chemical testing or analysis procedures

		use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques

		use chemical processing emergency procedures

		use government regulations

		use hazardous materials information

		use hazardous disposal techniques

		use pollution control techniques

		use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce

		use scientific research methodology

		follow safe waste disposal procedures

		use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities

		use technical regulations for engineering problems

		follow manufacturing methods or techniques

		use knowledge of investigation techniques

		use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems

		use project management techniques

		use quantitative research methods

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.


		plan production processes

		plan testing of engineering methods

		plan construction of structures or facilities

		plan scientific research or investigative studies

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.


		design control systems

		design engineered systems

		design machines

		design manufacturing processes or methods

		develop new chemical processing techniques or formulas

		create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts

		develop mathematical simulation models

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.


		compile numerical or statistical data

		develop tables depicting data

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.


		understand engineering data or reports

		understand properties of gases or liquids

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.


		explain complex mathematical information

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.


		advise clients or customers

		advise clients regarding engineering problems

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.


		adhere to safety procedures

		inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance

		examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.


		work as a team member

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.


		lead teams in engineering projects

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.


		develop safety regulations

		write business project or bid proposals

		develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards

		develop plans for programs or projects

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.


		estimate cost for engineering projects

		estimate time needed for project

		estimate production costs

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.


		direct personnel in support of engineering activities

		delegate authority for engineering activities

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.


		communicate technical information

		confer with scientists

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.


		direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies

		coordinate engineering project activities

		direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff

		direct implementation of new procedures, policies, or programs

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.


		draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale

		write product performance requirements

		calculate engineering specifications

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.


		prepare reports

		prepare technical reports or related documentation

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.


		test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)


	Engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems. Their work is the link between scientific discoveries and the commercial applications that meet societal and consumer needs.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)


	Most engineers work in office buildings, laboratories, or industrial plants. Others may spend time outdoors at construction sites and oil and gas exploration and production sites, where they monitor or direct operations or solve onsite problems. Some engineers travel extensively to plants or worksites here and abroad.

	Read More >>

<< Previous Page

Next Page >>

Interesting Fact

When the U.S. Constitution was written, the federal government was not allowed to collect income tax. All revenues came from trade tariffs. The 16th Ammendment later permitted federal income tax.

Did you know...

The MyPlan.com Values Assessment Test scores and ranks 900 different careers based on how well they match your values system!