Chemical engineer
A chemical engineer is involved in the design, development, construction and operation of industrial processes for the production of a diverse range of products, as well as in commodity and specialty chemicals. Relevant industries include oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, energy, water treatment, food and drink, plastics and toiletries. Modern chemical engineering is also concerned with pioneering valuable new materials and techniques, such as nanotechnology, fuel cells and biomedical engineering.
The role may focus on one or more of the following: researching new products from trial through to commercialisation; managing scale-up processes from plant to full industrial-scale manufacturing; improving product lines; modifying the processing plant that produces the products; and designing and commissioning new plants.
Typical activities are extremely diverse, depending on the role and the sector in which you work, but may include:
Examples of work activities in specific sectors include:
The usual entry route is via a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), which is usually a three-year course, or Master of Engineering (MEng), usually a four-year course. Before choosing a course, check that it is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) as this will affect your pathway to chartership. See the whynotchemeng website for a list of accredited courses.
Applicants who have completed an MEng accredited degree will only need appropriate work experience to satisfy the entry requirements for chartership, while applicants with a BEng accredited degree will need to undertake a period of additional study as well as appropriate work experience. Visit the IChemE Get Chartered website for details on how to achieve chartership.
Although a degree in chemical/biochemical/process engineering is the most straightforward entry requirement to this area of work, the following subjects may also be considered:
Advanced taught Masters courses, focusing on other relevant aspects of chemical engineering, are also available. Chemistry graduates should, for example, consider an MSc in Process Engineering.
Although, typically, a Bachelors or Masters degree is favoured by employers, an HND or foundation degree in the physical or applied sciences may also be accepted. Diplomates may need to consider entry to the profession at technician level.
Employers are increasingly seeking candidates with appropriate work experience and may favour recruiting candidates from their own placement schemes. These are generally vacation placements, typically lasting 6 to 12 weeks, or extended placements, which vary in length from 6 months to a year and can offer the opportunity to work on a more extensive project in industry. Many university departments will offer you assistance in securing an industrial placement.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
A number of employers and professional organisations offer financial sponsorship for students studying chemical engineering at university. Companies typically advertise their sponsorship schemes and information can usually be found on company websites. Details of major chemical engineering employers can be found at whynotchemeng .
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) is the professional body representing chemical, biochemical and process engineers and runs a variety of training events. These include:
Many companies offer internal training schemes for graduates to make sure they get the broad spectrum of experience needed to develop a career as a professional engineer. IChemE benchmarks many of these schemes, known as Accredited Company Training Schemes (ACTS). This means that the scheme, if followed correctly, should ensure each graduate becomes a well-rounded and competent professional engineer. See the IChemE website for a list of accredited employers.
An ACTS will also go towards fulfilling the application requirements for becoming a chartered chemical engineer and member of IChemE (CEng MIChemE) - an internationally recognised qualification. IChemE has a Royal Charter and is licensed by the Engineering Council to award chartership.
Some employers provide structured, job-based training and experience programmes that cover the requirements for CEng status. As you are working towards chartership, you can usually expect your employer to provide a mentor and to supplement your regular development training with relevant technical training for specific projects. Visit the IChemE Get Chartered website for full details on how to achieve chartership.
Career development is usually dependent on achieving chartered status (CEng) and on mobility. The dynamic nature of the industry means you can expect to be offered significant continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities in order to develop new knowledge. The nature of the role of a chemical engineer leads to the creation of versatile, multi-skilled professionals capable of handling a wide range of technical, environmental and commercial challenges. This allows for promotion to senior management often more quickly than is possible in other sectors.
Initially, however, graduates will gain experience of a range of projects, either within the same company or, after gaining chartership, by changing companies. After training in the early years, there are various possible career routes:
Many of the larger manufacturers and consultancies offer roles located overseas or that involve travel.
Any company involved in large-scale conversion of raw materials into a product needs chemical engineers. Employers are as diverse as the products they produce and cover a broad range of industrial sectors, including:
Details of major chemical engineering employers can be found at whynotchemeng .
The most obvious employers are those in gas and oil extraction, oil refining, nuclear and other power generation, and other process industries, including pharmaceuticals, fine and heavy chemicals and agrochemicals.
Other manufacturers who employ chemical engineers include those who process food and drink and those who produce toiletries, pulp and paper, plastic and metals, and fibres and polymers.
In the engineering sector more generally, there are companies that design and manufacture chemical process plant and equipment.
Many chemical engineers also work within engineering consultancy and contracting firms. They are likely to be taken on either to design and commission new plant or to modify existing plant.
Specialist recruitment agencies, such as Thomas Telford Recruitment , SRG Engineering , NES and Davis Graham Recruitment (all approved by IChemE), also advertise vacancies.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
Tweet