Chemical Engineer

Chemical engineers research, design, and develop chemical processes and equipment, oversee the operation and maintenance of industrial chemical, plastics, pharmaceutical, resource, pulp, and food processing plants and perform duties related to chemical quality control, environmental protection and biochemical or biotechnical engineering.

Chemical engineers are employed in a wide range of manufacturing and processing industries, consulting firms, government, research and educational institutions. They build a bridge between science and manufacturing, applying the principles of chemistry and engineering to solve problems, involving the production or use of chemicals. They design equipment and develop processes for large-scale chemical manufacturing, plan and test methods of manufacturing products and treating byproducts, as well as supervise production.

Chemical engineers also work in a variety of manufacturing industries other than chemical manufacturing, such as those producing electronics, photographic equipment, clothing, and pulp and paper. They also work in the healthcare, biotechnology, and business services industries.

The knowledge and duties of chemical engineers overlap many fields. Chemical engineers apply principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, as well as mechanical and electrical engineering.

Most candidates pursuing their professional careers as chemical engineers, enjoy performing and mastering some or all of the following duties, roles, tasks and responsibilities:

• Conduct economic and technical feasibility studies in areas related to chemical, petroleum, pulp and paper, food or other processing industries
• Conduct research into the development or improvement of chemical engineering processes, reactions and materials
• Evaluate chemical process technology and equipment and determine production specifications
• Design and test chemical processing, associated plants and equipment
• Oversee the construction, modification, operation and maintenance of pilot plants, processing units or processing plants
• Establish and conduct quality control programs, operating procedures and control strategies to ensure consistency and adherence to standards for raw materials, products and waste products or emissions
• Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for the process aspects of industrial construction
• Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers
• May work in an administrative capacity, for example, in the development of guidelines and specifications for the handling of dangerous chemicals, environmental protection, or standards for foods, materials and consumer goods.

The range and spectrum of qualified candidates is broadly diversified and there are talented, resourceful, experienced professional engineers already in the field as full-time practitioners, consultants and/or advisory service affiliates. Newcomers would be served well, to get as much exposure, internship, volunteer opportunities and/or project work, during their study-period, to sport a chance of securing a good permanent position. Career re-entrants, those wanting to make a career/discipline change, ,broaden their professional reach/training, or pursue another career after an absence, might require licensing and/or skills upgrades in areas. Competition in cities are fierce and opportunities more limited in rural areas. Although, as urban sprawl and continued development increases, more and more industries, communities and business planners, need the expertise and skills these engineers bring to the table.

There is considerable mobility between chemical engineering specializations at the less senior levels. Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience, that may allow them to practice in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management. Chemical engineers work closely with chemists, other scientists and engineers and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization.

Little or no growth in employment of chemical engineers is expected though 2012. Although overall employment in the chemical manufacturing industry is expected to decline, chemical companies will continue to research and develop new chemicals and more efficient processes to increase output of existing chemicals. Among manufacturing industries, pharmaceuticals may provide the best opportunities for jobseekers. Many of the jobs for chemical engineers, however, will be in non-manufacturing industries, especially services industries such as research and testing services. Even though no new jobs due to growth are expected to be created, many openings will result from the need to replace chemical engineers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.

Professional Societies and Associations in Chemical Engineering

American Association for Aerosol Research

American Chemical Society

American Council of Independent Laboratories

American Gas Association

American Institute of Chemical Engineers

American Petroleum Institute

American Oil Chemists Society

British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association

British Society of Rheology

Canadian Chemical Producers' Association

Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering

Canadian Society for Chemical Technology

Chemical Institute of Canada

DECHEMA

Electrochemistry Society

European Chemical Industry Council

European Network for Chemistry

European Federation of Chemical Engineering

German Chemical Society

Institution of Chemical Engineers

International Adsorption Society

International Society of Electrochemistry

National Petroleum Refiners Association

National Institute of Materials and Chemical Research of Japan

North American Catalysis Society

Research Association of British Rubber Manufacturers

Society of Chemical Industry

Society of Plastics Engineers

Society of the Plastics Industry

Society of Rheology

Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association

TAPPI

Verband der Chemischen Industrie

Chemical engineers may specialize in the products and processes of a particular industry such as pulp and paper manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, energy processing, plastics, metal extraction and refining, or adhesives and coatings production. They may also specialize in areas that are in various industries such as process control, pollution control or fermentation processes.

Employment requirements include a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or in a related engineering discipline. A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required. Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practice as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).

Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering as well s passing a professional practice examination. Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.

adhesives engineer, biochemical engineer, biotechnical engineer, chemical engineer, environmental, chemical process engineer, industrial hygiene engineer, industrial waste treatment engineer, liquid fuels engineer, petrochemical engineer, polymer engineer, process control engineer, chemical, project engineer, chemical, pulp and paper engineer, refinery engineer, waste treatment engineer, agricultural, bio-resource and food processing and other professional engineers, chemists, civil environmental engineers, engineering managers and metallurgical and materials, petroleum and process control engineers with electrical or electronic specialization

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