What They Do
Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing, plan and test methods of manufacturing products and treating byproducts, and supervise production.
Duties
Chemical engineers typically do the following:
Conduct research to develop new and improved manufacturing processes
Develop safety procedures for those working with potentially dangerous chemicals
Develop processes to separate components of liquids and gases or to generate electrical currents using controlled chemical processes
Design and plan the layout of equipment
Do tests and monitor performance of processes throughout production
Troubleshoot problems with manufacturing processes
Evaluate equipment and processes to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations
Estimate production costs for management
Some chemical engineers specialize in a particular process, such as oxidation (a reaction of oxygen with chemicals to make other chemicals) or polymerization (making plastics and resins). Others specialize in a particular field, such as nanomaterials (making extremely small substances), biological engineering, or in developing specific products.
Chemical engineers also work in producing energy, electronics, food, clothing, and paper. They work in research in life sciences, biotechnology, and business services.
Chemical engineers must be aware of all aspects in the manufacturing of chemicals, drugs, or other products. They must also understand how the manufacturing process affects the environment and the safety of workers and consumers.
Work Environment
Chemical engineers held about 33,300 jobs in 2012.
Chemical engineers work mostly in offices or laboratories. They may spend time at industrial plants, refineries, and other locations, where they monitor or direct operations or solve onsite problems. Chemical engineers must be able to work with professionals who design other systems and with the technicians and mechanics who put the designs into practice.
Some engineers travel extensively to plants or worksites both domestically and abroad.
The industries that employed the most chemical engineers in 2012 were as follows:
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 17% |
| Basic chemical manufacturing | 13 |
| Scientific research and development services | 10 |
| Resin, synthetic rubber, and artificial synthetic fibers and filaments manufacturing | 6 |
| Petroleum and coal products manufacturing | 6 |
Work Schedules
Nearly all chemical engineers work full time.
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