Education
Fact-checked

At PracticalAdultInsights, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What does a Chemical Engineer do?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Chemical engineers are people who use their knowledge of chemistry in an industrial setting, to create new substances and products and improve the quality and production process of existing ones. They are primarily interested in finding efficient, economical ways to turn raw materials into high-quality finished goods. In addition to doing this, they're also often employed to design manufacturing facilities. The position is typically collaborative, with people in this job working together with product designers, marketers, and legal staff. A wide range of industries regularly introduce new products or improve existing ones, so a chemical engineer can often find jobs in industries ranging from aerospace to electronics, textile manufacturing, and environmental management.

Research and Development

Chemical engineers create new products using their chemistry knowledge.
Chemical engineers create new products using their chemistry knowledge.

People in this position often help research and develop new products. This includes studying how compounds react with different types of materials and working with product designers to make things that are sturdy, functional, and attractive. For instance, a textile company with a new type of synthetic fiber would likely hire a chemical engineer to identify and develop uses for it. He or she could tell the company what uses it's best suited for — that it works well for car upholstery but not stretch fabrics, for example — as well as advise them as to other potential uses, such as turning it into a powder and mixing it into plastic products to strengthen them. They can help prevent and troubleshoot technical problems that come up during product development.

Designing Facilities

Many manufacting companies hire chemical engineers to design efficient facilities and devise the layout of factory floors.
Many manufacting companies hire chemical engineers to design efficient facilities and devise the layout of factory floors.

Many manufacturing companies also hire chemical engineers to help design efficient manufacturing facilities. This includes coming up with the layout of factory floors, the creation of components and equipment, and the design of control measures to make sure that the facility safely handles materials and maintains the desired level of quality in its products. Additionally, a chemical engineer may help develop processes that manufacturing plants can use to operate in environmentally friendly manners.

Collaboration

Some chemical engineers may study chemistry at the undergraduate level.
Some chemical engineers may study chemistry at the undergraduate level.

A chemical engineer often works together with other people in the manufacturing process, including marketers and managers. He or she can help the advertising department understand the benefits of having a particular substance in a product, and can help create a product that positively reflects the goals of a company, which helps the sales end of the business because it increases brand awareness. Chemical engineers also collaborate with managers as well as legal teams to ensure that the materials used in the processing and finishing of end products comply with governmental and industry standards.

Education and Training

A chemical engineer may research how certain compounds react with different types of materials.
A chemical engineer may research how certain compounds react with different types of materials.

To become a chemical engineer, a person generally needs to have at least a bachelor's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biomolecular engineering, or a similar field. Many people also get master's degrees in a specific area, such as plastics engineering or food science. In the US, licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) is encouraged, but not required. This requires a combination of an approved degree, work experience, and passing several exams.

Work Environment

The exact duties that chemical engineers carry out also largely depend on how much experience they have. Entry-level workers tend to carry out basic tasks, whereas those with much experience tend to assume roles with more responsibility and independence. Some manage teams of engineers themselves, while others propose and carry out research projects. Experienced chemical engineers may also do consulting work, or have a lot of freedom when it comes to choosing what they want to work on.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including PracticalAdultInsights, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including PracticalAdultInsights, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon348618

Where would a chemical engineer work?

anon319318

What do they do most of the day?

anon294390

What do chemical engineers usually work on most of the time?

anon289320

What jobs in the navy are available to someone with an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering?

anon85445

How good do you have to be in math?

anon68666

is there any stress involved in this job, is this work done independently, How many hours do you work each day on average?

anon63212

is it all about chemicals? or are other branches involved?

anon35293

Being a Chem. Engineer, I can tell you:

1.- Any engineering degree, in order to be so and to be recognized as so, must be granted by a College or University with a 4 or 5 year program.

2.- The curriculum does require one learns and understand Chemistry, as well as Physics and Math (for one has to understand *very* well that which one is trying to control).

3.- You will learn about Transport Phenomena and Unit Operations (how things behave when they are being manipulated).

By the way, when I said "things" in the previous item, I meant solids, liquids, gases and vapors (and sometimes, if you wish, plasma).

4.- You will learn how to desing a reactor with the best performance for the need you could have.

anon31583

How many years of college do you have to have to become a chemical engineer?

anon31114

I've checked the requirements for ASU and the majority of the credit hours for this major are Chemistry.... i.e. Biochemical, Organic Chemistry, and the works. Not a lot of credit hours for Math, but they are advancesd classes such as Calc 3 for Engineer and Linear Algebra. It sounds easy but it's deceiving.

mdt

The curriculum for obtaining relevant degrees will vary. For a general idea, check with universities in your area regarding basic courses of study, as well as classes and subjects that are necessary to receive a degree from the institutions.

anon13656

what are the required subjects for this career course?

mdt

The rate of pay varies from one situation to another, including location and the type of company employing the engineer. For some ideas on the different types of environments that employ a chemical engineer, check with online and offline employment services.

anon12778

how much money do they make && where you can get this job.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Chemical engineers create new products using their chemistry knowledge.
      By: yanlev
      Chemical engineers create new products using their chemistry knowledge.
    • Many manufacting companies hire chemical engineers to design efficient facilities and devise the layout of factory floors.
      By: Chad McDermott
      Many manufacting companies hire chemical engineers to design efficient facilities and devise the layout of factory floors.
    • Some chemical engineers may study chemistry at the undergraduate level.
      By: Radu Razvan
      Some chemical engineers may study chemistry at the undergraduate level.
    • A chemical engineer may research how certain compounds react with different types of materials.
      By: nandyphotos
      A chemical engineer may research how certain compounds react with different types of materials.