A chemical engineer is involved in the design and development of a diverse range of products, specialising in how raw materials are employed in the production of products.

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FAQs

FAQs

What does a Chemical engineer do?

Day-to-day responsibilities include:

Making sure products are manufactured safely and professionally
Maintaining production equipment
Designing, installing and commissioning new production plants
Troubleshooting problems in production
Applying new technology
Researching new products
Ensuring that safety regulations are met

What skills and interests should an Chemical engineer have?

An understanding of the principles of engineering
An aptitude for mathematics and chemistry
Project management skills
Good communication skills
Problem-solving skills
Ability to work alone and as part of a team
Capacity to motivate and lead a team
Strong IT skills
Attention to detail
Creative and innovative thinking

What hours does a Chemical engineer typically do?

Typical working hours are 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday, although some overtime may be required.

What environment is a Chemical engineer based in?

You will be based in a lab, office or processing plant.

How much does a Chemical engineer travel?

You may be required to travel at certain stages of a project in order to visit construction sites. If you work in a global manufacturer, overseas postings may be a regular occurrence.

How much does a Chemical engineer get paid?

Graduate starting salaries are in the region of £28,000. With experience chartered chemical engineers can earn up to £70,000, however, salaries will vary according to location and sector.

Perks & benefits

Jobs are widely available across the country as process plants are located in many industrial areas throughout the UK (particularly in Scotland, the Midlands and north of England).

Career prospects are strengthened by the attainment of chartered status (CEng). The dynamic nature of the industry will provide you with a variety of skills which you can take to more senior roles or other industries. You may become a project manager, move to specialist roles, or move to commercial areas such as technical sales and supply chain management.

What qualifications does a Chemical engineer need?

The most straightforward route to becoming a chemical engineer is to have your degree accredited by the Institute for Chemical Engineers, or IChemE (see below for relevant degrees). To become chartered, you will need to have studied at Masters level.

Useful subjects to study at school & university

Degrees in the following subjects will be useful:

Applied Chemistry
Biochemical/Process Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Chemistry
Environmental Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Polymer Science/Technology