Chemical Engineering, 

What do Chemical Engineers Do ?

twouldtaketoolongtolistalltheproductsthatareimpactedbychemicalengineers,but
knowingwhatindustriesemploythemmayhelpyoucomprehendthescopeoftheirwork.
Chemical engineers work in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, design and
construction, pulp and paper, petrochemicals, food processing, specialty chemicals,
microelectronics,electronicandadvancedmaterials,polymers,businessservices,biotechnology,
andenvironmentalhealthandsafetyindustries,amongothers.

Within these industries, chemical engineers rely on their knowledge of mathematics and
scienceparticularlychemistrytoovercometechnicalproblemssafelyandeconomically.And,
of course, they draw upon and apply their engineering knowledge to solve any technical
challenges they encounter. Dont make the mistake of thinking that chemical engineers only
makethings,though.Theirexpertiseisalsoappliedintheareasoflaw,education,publishing,
finance,andmedicine,aswellasinmanyotherfieldsthatrequiretechnicaltraining.
Specifically,chemicalengineersimprovefoodprocessingtechniques,andmethodsofproducing
fertilizers,toincreasethequantityandqualityofavailablefood.
They also construct the synthetic fibers that make our clothes more comfortable and water
resistant;theydevelopmethodstomassproducedrugs,makingthemmoreaffordable;andthey
createsafer,moreefficientmethodsofrefiningpetroleumproducts,makingenergyandchemical
sourcesmoreproductiveandcosteffective.
Chemicalengineersalsodevelopsolutionstoenvironmentalproblems,suchaspollutioncontrol
andremediation.
Andyes,theyprocesschemicals,whichareusedtomakeorimprovejustabouteverythingyou
seearoundyou.
Chemicalengineersfacemanyofthesamechallengesthatotherprofessionalsface,andtheymeet
thesechallengesbyapplyingtheirtechnicalknowledge,communicationandteamworkskills;the
most uptodate practices available; and hard work. Benefits include financial reward,
recognitionwithinindustryandsociety,andthegratificationthatcomesfromworkingwiththe
processesofnaturetomeettheneedsofsociety.

Job Descriptions
The specific responsibilities of chemical engineers, though varying among industries and even
within the same company, can be categorized in general terms. Titles such as process design
engineerandprojectengineerwilldescribepositionsinmostindustries,whateverthetypeof
work,process,equipment,andproductthatisinvolved.

JOB
FUNCTION

DESCRIPTION

Process
Design
Engineer

Designs manufacturing facilities and the equipment and material used

inside. Process design engineers work with teams of engineers to
develop new or improved processes to meet a companys production
needs.

Environmental
Engineer

Developstechniquestoreduceandrecoverusablematerialsfromwaste
created during manufacture of a product. Designs waste storage and
treatment facilities, as well as pollution control strategies for plant
operations.Environmentalengineersmayberesponsibleformonitoring
allsystemsinafacilityforcompliancewithgovernmentenvironmental
regulations.

Plant Process
Engineer

Provides technical support to staff and troubleshoots processes in a

production facility to keep a plant running efficiently. Plant process
engineersworkcloselywithequipmentoperatorstogetfeedbackonthe
operations of each process and determine how to avoid shutdowns.
They may also be involved with some design work for improvement
projects.

Process Safety
Engineer

Designs and maintains plants and processes that are safer for workers
andcommunities.Processsafetyengineersmayconductsafetyanalyses
of new and existing equipment, and train employees on how to safely
operateanewpieceofequipment.

Project
Engineer

Oversees the design and construction of specific processes in a facility.

After construction, they may assist in equipment testing, operator
training,andplantstartup.Projectengineersmayberesponsibleforthe
design,andstartup,ofaspecificprocessinafacility.

Consultant

Works for many different customers and brings specialized knowledge

toindividualprojects.Consultantsinaconstructioncompanymaywork
withteamsofengineerstodesignandconstructanexpansionprojectfor
apharmaceuticalcompany.

Product
Engineer

Followstheproductioncycleofaparticularproducttoensurethatitis
beingproducedaccordingtospecification.Productengineersmaywork
withmarketingandR&Dtoensurethataproductwillmeettheneedsof
customers,thenseetheproductthroughproduction.Theymayworkon
newproductsorspecialvariationsofexistingproducts.

Manufacturing
Production
Engineer

Responsible for the daytoday operation of a specific manufacturing

process. Manufacturing production engineers work directly with
operators to ensure that a particular product is made according to
specifications.

Research
&
Development

Seeksoutnewandmoreefficientwaysofusingandproducingexisting
products. Explores and develops new processes and products and

Engineer

determines their usefulness and applicability. Chemical engineers

working in research and development may work with chemists and
otherengineerstodevelopanewprocessornewproductthatwillbetter
meetcustomerneeds.

Project
Manager

Overseestheoveralldesignandconstructionofafacility,thenmanages
ongoing operations. Project managers may manage a group of project
engineersduringthedesignandconstructionofanewfacility.

Attorney

Specializesinintellectualpropertylaw,patentlaw,technologytransfer,
environmental compliance, and safety issues. Patent attorneys obtain
patents for clients and monitor the marketplace for possible patent
infringements.

Biomedical
Specialist

Works alongside physicians to develop systems that track critical

chemicalprocessesinthebody.Biomedicalspecialistsmaybeinvolved
inthedesignofartificialorgans,suchasheartsandlungs.

Computer
Applications
& Technology
Engineer

Designs instrumentation and programs systems monitor and control

certainprocesses.Automationengineersmaydesignsystemstomonitor
aseriesofprocessesinachemical,petroleumorbiotechnologyfacility.

Technical
Manager

Responsiblefortheengineeringstaffandprogramsatafacility.Manages
people, research programs, and daily operations of the engineering
functions.TechnicalmanagersmayoverseetheR&Dprogramandwork
withplantmanagerstoplanandimplementthefundingprogramsand
expansionnecessarytodevelopanewproduct.

Business
Coordinator

Develops budgets and capital projections for a facility or process.

Business coordinators work closely with production and design team
members to ascertain the exact needs of a new process, then plans the
capitalneedsnecessarytoimplementtheprogram.

Professor

Instructs students in the field of chemical engineering and conducts

research in pertinent areas. Professors may teach several classes in
chemical engineering, be members on university committees, and
conductresearchusingfundingfromgovernment,corporate,orprivate
grants.

Quality
Control
Engineer

Monitors the manufacture of a product to ensure that it meets

specifications.Also,testsmaterialstodeterminehowtheyperformover
time.Qualitycontrolengineersmaybringsamplesofaproductinfroma
fieldtest,orfromanormalapplication,andtestthemtodeterminehow
specific properties, such as strength, color, and weatherability, change
overtime.

Regulatory
Affairs
Engineer

Researches, develops, and monitors policies and procedures that

companiesmustfollowtoensuretheproperhandlingofchemicalsand
chemical components. Chemical engineers in regulatory affairs may be

government employees, who study the environmental impact of a new

chemical,thenrecommendappropriateguidelinesforthechemicalsuse.
Technical
Services
Engineer

Works with customers, usually onsite, to solve production problems

causedbyaspecificprocessormachine.Chemicalengineersworkingin
technicalservicesmayrepresentthemanufacturerofaspecificmachine
to determine why it is not performing as designed. They often must
understand the other steps in the production process to determine if
thereisabreakdowninanotherarea.

Salesand
Marketing
Engineer

Assists customers in solving production and process problems by

providing products and services to meet their specific needs. Chemical
engineers in sales use their technical knowledge to sell chemicals,
equipment, and other products, and provide followup services and
trainingwhereneeded.moreinformation

Industry Profiles
Chemicalengineersareemployedinmanyindustries,representingadiverserangeofproducts,
employers,andservices.
ChemicalProcessIndustries(CPI)TheCPIsfocusisonthedevelopment,extraction,isolation,
combination,anduseofchemicalsandchemicalbyproducts.Specialtyareasinclude:
AgriculturalChemicals
Catalysts
SpecialtyChemicals
IndustrialGases
Paints,Varnishes,Lacquers,Pigments,andInks
Petrochemicals
PetroleumProducts
Plastics,SyntheticResins,andComposites
Polymers
PulpandPaper
RubberandRubberProducts
Soaps,Detergents,Perfumes,Fats,Oils,andCosmetics
SyntheticFibers,Textiles,andFilms
Chemical engineers in the CPI design and operate the processes and systems to combine,
transport,separate,handle,recycle,andstorechemicalsandtheirbyproducts.
BiotechnologyThebiotechnologyindustryuseslivingcellsandmaterialsproducedbycells,and
biologicaltechniquesdevelopedthroughresearch,tocreateproductsforuseinotherindustries.
Workinthefieldofbiotechnologyhasproducedantibiotics,insulin,interferon,artificialorgans,
recombinant DNA, techniques for waste reduction and recycling, and hybrid plants that are
insect resistant.Chemical engineers in the biotechnology industry develop and design the
processestogrow,handle,andharvestlivingorganismsandtheirbyproducts.

Design & Construction The design and construction industry works with all other industry
sectors to design and build the facilities, specify the machinery, and design and troubleshoot
processes that will allow companies to operate safe and efficient plants. Chemical engineers in
the design & construction industry are involved with process design and project management,
andworkcloselywithotherengineeringdisciplines.
Electronics Chemical engineers in the electronics industry are involved with material
development and production, and process control equipment design. Knowing how process
equipmentinachemicalplant,forexample,issupposedtofunctiongivesthechemicalengineer
an advantage in designing control equipment to monitor each process. Chemical engineers are
also involved in the manufacturing of microchipsand intricate circuitry, using their training to
developthematerialsandprocessesthatallowsuchcircuitstobeproperlyassembled.Chemical
engineerscontributionstothefieldincludeproducingcomponentsthatbetterdissipateheat,and
operatefaster.
Environmental,Safety&HealthInalmosteveryindustry,chemicalengineersareinvolvedin
areas that concern the environment, waste minimization, and personal health and safety. With
every process that involves the use and manipulation of raw materials, some byproducts are
produced.Thechemicalengineerisemployedtominimizetheproductionofbyproducts,ifthey
are of no use, or find an appropriate use for them. Chemical engineers help minimize waste
throughprocessmonitoringandcontrol,andbydesigningnewprocessesthataremoreefficient.
This category also includes those chemical engineers who are involved in waste treatment and
disposal,andprocesssafetyandlossprevention.Processsafetyinvolveshowpeoplesafelywork
withandhandlecertainmaterials.
Food & Beverages The food and beverage industry includes the handling, processing,
preparation,packaging,andpreservationoffoodandbeverages.Chemicalengineersinthefood
andbeveragesindustryformulatenewproductstomeetconsumerdemand,changeingredients
forbetterflavor,changehandlingprocessesformoreconsistenttexture,andfreezedryproducts
ordesignasepticpackagingtoensurealongershelflife.
Fuels Those industries that fall under the category of fuels include petroleum and petroleum
products production, and refining, as well as nuclear and synthetic fuels. Typically known for
their work in refineries, chemical engineers are also involved in developing alternative energy
sources.Chemicalengineersinthefuelsindustriesworkonproductionprocesses,environmental
monitoring,researchanddevelopment,andprocesssafety.
AdvancedMaterialsIndustriesinthecategoryofadvancedmaterialsusechemicalengineersto
help develop materials with different properties such as weight, strength, heat transfer,
reflectivity,andpurity.Industriesthatemploychemicalengineersforthesepurposesinclude:
Aerospace
Automotive
Glass
Ceramics
Electronics
Refractories
Metals
MetallurgicalProducts
MineralsProcessing
PhotographicProducts

Other Chemical engineers are not limited to those industries that produce products made by
combining, refining, or processing chemicals. The technical training that chemical engineers
receivealsomakesthemwellsuitedforworkinthefollowingareas:
Business
Finance
Insurance
Law
Publications
Education
Government
Chemical engineers can use their training to manage, analyze, and insure businesses in the
chemical process industries. They can work as patent attorneys, applying their knowledge to
intellectualproperty.Chemicalengineersalsoworkastechnicalwriters,teachersandprofessors.
Within the government, the US Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, US
Navy, NASA, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Department of Agriculture,
tonameafew,allemploychemicalengineers.

The Workplace
SalaryFactsforChemicalEngineers
According to the Fall 2003 report of the National Association of Colleges and Employers,
chemicalengineeringgraduatesrankamongthehighestpaidwithintheengineeringdisciplines.
As of September 2003, average offers were up 2.4% from 2002, increasing to $52,384 from last
years$51,137.Thetopthreeemployersmakingofferstochemicalengineersin2003werebasic
chemicals, petroleum and coal products, and food/beverage industry. The most offers made to
chemical engineers in 2003 based on job function were overwhelmingly chemical process
engineeringwiththeaverageofferbeing$53,989.
Theaverageoffersbydegreelevelwere:
Bachelors:

$52,384

Masters:

$57,857

Doctoral:

$70,729

Oftheoffersbycurriculumforalltypesofemployers,womenreceivedoffersaveraging$52,857
andmen$51,921.Theseofferswereupfrom2002,whentheaverageofferstowomenandmen
were$51,755and$51,302respectively.

Thefollowingisasamplingofaverageoffersbyemploymentsector:
Sector

Avg.Offer

Chemicals(Basic)

$54,088

Computer
&
Manufacturing

Electronic

Products$49,198

Food,Beverage,&Tobacco

$52,771

PaperManufacturing

$52,824

Petroleum&CoalProducts

$55,754

Pharmaceuticals&MedicineMfg.

$53,444

OtherManufacturingEmployers(NEC)

$51,096

Government(Federal)

$40,652

ConsultingServices

$47,635

EngineeringServices

$48,775

Source: Salary Survey: A study of 20022003 beginning offers. National Association of Colleges
andEmployers.Fall2003.Bethlehem,PA.

Employers
There are literally thousands of companies that employ chemical engineers. Take a look at
IndustryProfilestoseethelistofindustriesthatemploychemicalengineers.Then,thinkofallthe
companies within each ofthose industries. Togive you anidea of the breadthof opportunities
available,letslookatoneexample:theGovernmentSector.
TheUnitedStatesGovernmentemployschemicalengineers,becausemanyofitsbranchesneed
theexpertisethatachemicalengineerbringstothejob.
SomeGovernmentAgenciesThatEmployChemicalEngineers
CoastGuard
DepartmentofAgriculture
DepartmentofCommerce
DepartmentofDefense
DepartmentofEducation

DepartmentofEnergy
DepartmentofHealth&HumanServices
DepartmentofLabor
DepartmentofState
DepartmentoftheAirForce
DepartmentoftheArmy
DepartmentoftheInterior
DepartmentoftheNavy
DepartmentoftheTreasury
DepartmentofVeteransAffairs
EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
Food&DrugAdministration
NuclearRegulatoryCommission
Patent&TrademarkOffice

Chemicalengineersarealsoemployedatthestateandlocalgovernmentlevelsaswell.

Thus, in only one employment sector, there are more than 20 groups within it that employ
chemicalengineers.Gettheidea?