Chemical Engineers

Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Chemical Engineer; Development Engineer; Engineer; Engineering Scientist; Process Control Engineer; Process Engineer; Project Engineer; Refinery Process Engineer; Research Chemical Engineer; Scientist

Tasks

• Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
• Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
• Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
• Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
• Design and plan layout of equipment.
• Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
• Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.
• Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
• Determine most effective arrangement of operations such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying.
• Develop processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.
• Design measurement and control systems for chemical plants based on data collected in laboratory experiments and in pilot plant operations.
• Perform laboratory studies of steps in manufacture of new products and test proposed processes in small-scale operation, such as a pilot plant.
• Develop computer models of chemical processes.
• Direct activities of workers who operate or are engaged in constructing and improving absorption, evaporation, or electromagnetic equipment.

Knowledge

• Engineering and Technology
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Production and Processing
• Design
• Physics
• English Language
• Computers and Electronics
• Mechanical

Skills

• Science
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Learning
• Mathematics
• Speaking
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Number Facility
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Flexibility of Closure
• Written Expression
• Perceptual Speed
• Visualization
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Speed of Closure
• Selective Attention
• Far Vision