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Career Details : Chemical Engineers

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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.

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Education

A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Tasks

  • Develops processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.
  • Performs tests throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables, including temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.
  • Performs laboratory studies of steps in manufacture of new product and tests proposed process in small-scale operation (pilot plant).
  • Directs activities of workers who operate or who are engaged in constructing and improving absorption, evaporation, or electromagnetic equipment.
  • Prepares estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
  • Develops safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
  • Conducts research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
  • Designs and plans layout of equipment.
  • Designs measurement and control systems for chemical plants based on data collected in laboratory experiments and in pilot plant operations.
  • Determines most effective arrangement of operations, such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying.

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    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Consequence of Error
    • Responsible for Others' Health & Safety
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Degree of Automation
    • Job-Required Social Interaction

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