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Engineering > Chemical Engineer

Salary National Average

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84130.0000 98230.0000 115270.0000

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Short Description:

A Chemical Engineer designs and optimizes processes for producing chemicals, fuels, pharmaceuticals, and other products by applying principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering. Their duties include developing and testing production methods, improving manufacturing efficiency, ensuring safety compliance, and overseeing large-scale industrial processes. Chemical Engineers often collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve technical challenges and enhance product quality. Strong problem-solving skills, a deep understanding of chemical processes, and knowledge of environmental and safety regulations are essential for success in this role, as Chemical Engineers drive innovation and efficiency in various industries.

Duties / Responsibilities:

  • Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
  • Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
  • Develop processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.
  • Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
  • Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
  • Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.
  • Perform laboratory studies of steps in manufacture of new products and test proposed processes in small-scale operation, such as a pilot plant.
  • Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.
  • Design measurement and control systems for chemical plants based on data collected in laboratory experiments and in pilot plant operations.
  • Determine most effective arrangement of operations such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying.

Skills / Requirements / Qualifications

  • Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.

Job Zones

  • Title:  Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
  • Education:  Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
  • Related Experience:  A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
  • Job Training:  Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
  • Job Zone Examples:  Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
  • Specific Vocational Preparation in years:  (7.0 to < 8.0)

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