Career Opportunities

Chemical engineers are employed in a wide variety of industries: petroleum and gas, chemicals, minerals and metals, glass and ceramics, plastics and resins, soap and detergents, cosmetics, rubber and tire, food production, fertilizer and agricultural chemicals, nuclear energy, photographic products, microchip manufacturing, missile and space, synthetic fibers and textiles, paint, paper and cellulose, pharmaceuticals, and process equipment manufacture. They are also involved in private consulting, government and higher education. In addition to the wide range of types of jobs traditionally thought of as chemical engineering, chemical engineers work in such diverse areas as applied physics, applied mathematics, biochemistry, medicine, patent law, pollution monitoring and prediction, sales, and industrial management. According to a recent workforce commission, the starting salaries for chemical engineers are among the highest in any engineering field. Currently, the average starting salary for B.S. graduates exceeds $50,000 per year. Also see the American Institute of Chemical Engineer's Web address for career information http://www.aiche.org.

CH E M IC A L EN G INE E R ING C AR E E R O V ER V IEW

Chemical engineers apply both, the knowledge of chemistry and, the principles of engineering to the chemical industry and thus form the bridge or the link between science and manufacturing. They are involved in a wide variety of activities like equipment design, process developing for chemical manufacture on a large scale, planning and testing ways of producing and the treatment of byproducts as well as supervision of manufacturing activities. They are employed in not only chemical but also other manufacturing concerns like in the field of electronics, photography, clothing and pulp & paper products. Medicine & healthcare, biotechnology as well as the business industry also holds employment opportunities for chemical engineers. Chemical engineers use the knowledge of chemistry, physics mathematics, and mechanical and electrical engineering and as such their activities and duties overlap other fields. Chemical engineers can usually specialize in one process like oxidation or polymerization or in a field like material science. They can even learn to develop specific products like pesticides and fertilizers, automotive plastics, chlorine bleaches etc. Chemical engineers need to know about the full scope of manufacturing chemicals and their effect on our environment, as well as the safety of workers and buyers. Due to the advent of information technology and its use in efficient research and production activities, chemical engineers are required to understand and apply computer knowledge to analyze chemical processes, to automate control systems and to provide statistical control of quality. In 2002, Chemical engineers were employed in 33,000 different jobs in various industries. Around 55 percent of all chemical engineering professionals were employed by the manufacturing industry, chiefly in the chemical, petroleum refining, paper and other industries. The rest worked in R&D and other fields for professional (scientific or technical ) services who were involved indirectly with chemical companies.

J OB A ND E MP L O YM E NT O P PO R TU N IT IES F OR C HE M IC A L EN G INE E R S

It is projected that the period through 2012 will be a slow moving time for chemical engineers. But although the total employment in chemical manufacturing concerns is likely to decrease, R&D activities as well as developing more efficient output from existing chemical processes are expected to be carried on by chemical companies. In the manufacturing sector, pharmaceuticals are likely to have the best growth opportunities for employees. Most of the chemical engineers, however, will be employed in the nonmanufacturing industry, primarily, the research and testing services industry. Though no new job opportunities are expected to grow out of these sectors, openings will be available due to retirements and transfers of current employees.
H IS T O RIC A L E A R N IN G S IN F OR M A TIO N

In 2002, the median earnings of a chemical engineers was $72,490, annually. The middle 50 percent received salaries between $58,320 and $88,830 a year while the lowest 10 percent received salaries less than $48,450. The highest 10 percent received salaries of $107,520 and above. In a 2003 salary survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, a chemical engineer with a bachelors degree got salaries worth $52,384 on an average in a year, while those with a masters degree received salaries worth $57,857 a year. The Ph.D. candidates made up to $70,729 on an average. Seasoned engineers may earn even more.

Chemical Engineers are in demand all over the world; working on projects as diverse as providing water for third world communities, leading edge tissue engineering research, shaping the hydrogen economy, and creating pollution free iron production. To discover more click on the links. It's your world... The challenge for Chemical Engineers in the 21st century is to protect water supplies and the environment, develop clean energy solutions and end the suffering of the millions affected by incurable diseases. To make our Future Life a better life. It's your world.. What do Chemical Engineers do?

Chemical Engineers play a crucial role in everyday life. To find out more about the real life chemical engineers working in today's industries, please click here. Click here to view The Independent's article 'how chemical engineers are solving the planet's problems'. Chemical Engineers are involved in the design, modification and operation of processes to produce desirable products. They are employed across a huge variety of sectors including:
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Chemical and allied products Pharmaceuticals

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Energy Water Food & Drink Materials Oil & Gas Process Plants & Equipment Biotechnology Business and Management Consultancy

Chemical Engineers must make decisions concerning:

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Which reaction pathway should be used to make the product? How to purify the desired product? How to control the process and ensure it is safe? How to make the process cost effective? What should be done with any by-products formed? How to reduce the amounts of unwanted by-products formed? What to do with unreacted raw materials? How to recycle energy within the process?

Here are some examples of job roles for Chemical Engineers: Projects Engineer - Project engineers organise and run projects for engineering companies, this can be anything from managing a small modification to an existing pharmaceutical facility to building a multibillion dollar petrochemicals complex. Design Engineer- The design engineer is responsible for determining how the process is to work. For example which pieces of equipment will be needed and how big they will be.

Operations Engineer - Operations engineers work "on site". This means that they spend their time ensuring that the plant is producing the right amount of product to the correct specification. Research and Development Engineer (R&D) - The R&D engineer is innovative and creative. They develop the ideas for future plants, improving efficiency, environmental performance and even developing new products. For more in-depth examples of the careers that Chemical Engineering can lead to please click here
Thumbnail sketches of the modern Chemical Engineer

Food processing engineer

My key skill is understanding the application of heat transfer and fluid flow (single and multiphase) principles to the manufacture of foods. Material properties (rheology, thermal, size distribution) and their variability are complex. Processes generally require innovative measurement and analysis at the design or troubleshooting stage. I need to understand the role that food science and microbiology play in design, manufacture and distribution of food products to meet consumer expectations. I use simulation tools to aid design and process optimisation. I often work in multidisciplinary teams.

Senior Consultant in the pharmaceutical industry

I need to understand the primary technologies behind biochemical engineering to provide the services our biopharmaceutical clients expect. I have to understand production and regulatory issues together with the commercial constraints on products. I often work on pharmaceutical projects based on other technologies. My projects range from small consultancy questions to the design, building, commissioning and validation of large pharmaceutical production facilities. I work with our clients, and together with the multidisciplinary teams needed to complete the large projects.

Chemical Engineer in the water industry

My functions include the design and development of the wide range of physical, chemical and biological unit operations needed to remove contaminants economically from water and

wastewater, the project management of new works construction, and the management of operation of treatment plant and distribution networks. I need to understand the new technologies which will enable us to meet new legislative quality standards for water supply and wastewater discharge, and to minimise waste streams from treatment processes.

A bioproduct engineer

Working in a multidisciplinary area of life-science innovation, I am required to understand and keep up-to-date with contemporary developments in diverse areas of technology such as tissue culture, genetics and biochemistry as well as fundamental biochemical engineering. Interfacing with medical specialists, laboratory-based bioscientists and manufacturing specialists, I am required to translate very specific scientific concepts into practical bioproduct specifications that can be produced as a functional and effective product. My projects range from fundamental blue-sky research through product development to highly targeted technical sales activities. I may therefore work in diverse environments including academic, small technologybased enterprises or large research-led companies.

Supply chain manager in the process industries

I need to understand the primary manufacturing units and processes and their efficiencies, and the basic principles of supply chain management from the suppliers supplier to the customers customer. I must appreciate the regulatory issues, together with the commercial constrains. A particular feature is an understanding of the IT systems that manage the supply chain such as SAP, Manugistics I2 and the interaction and impact of these systems on all aspects of the supply chain including manufacturing. My responsibility is large, with more than $5m products passing through the supply chain. Mistakes can have serious financial and reputation effects on my company. I need to work with our suppliers, manufacturers and customers to manage an effective logistics operation that delivers benefits to my employers bottom line.

Chemical Engineers

Nature of the Work

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Chemical engineers 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, and 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, and mechanical and electrical engineering. They frequently specialize in a particular chemical process such as oxidation or polymerization. Others specialize in a particular field, such as materials science, or the development of specific products such as fertilizers and pesticides, automotive plastics, or chlorine bleach. They must be aware of all aspects of chemicals manufacturing and how it affects the environment, the safety of workers, and customers. Because chemical engineers use computer technology to optimize all phases of research and production, they need to understand how to apply computer skills to chemical process analysis, automated control systems, and statistical quality control.

Employment

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Chemical engineers held about 33,000 jobs in 2002. Manufacturing industries employed 55 percent of all chemical engineers, primarily in the chemicals, electronics, petroleum refining, paper, and related industries. Most others worked for professional, scientific, or technical services firms that design chemical plants or perform research and development or other services, mainly for chemical companies. Job Outlook [About this section][To Top]

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 nonmanufacturing 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. Earnings [About this section][More salary/earnings info][To Top]

Median annual earnings of chemical engineers were $72,490 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $58,320 and $88,830. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,450, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $107,520.

According to a 2003 salary survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelors degree candidates in chemical engineering received starting offers averaging $52,384 a year, masters degree candidates averaged $57,857, and Ph.D. candidates averaged $70,729. [Please note that the earnings and salary data listed here is usually from government sources and may be dated, so please make adjustments accordingly. If you would like to access current salary data for literally thousands of occupations, access our Salary Wizard.] Are you interested in what types of jobs you could get with a degree in chemical engineering? Here are some employment options you could get with a bachelors or masters college degree in chemical engineering. Aerospace Engineer Biotechnology Chemical Plant Civil Engineer Computer Systems Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineer Food Industries Mechanical Engineer Mining Engineer Nuclear Engineer Oil and Natural Gas Industry Paper Manufacture Petrochemical Engineer Pharmaceuticals Plant Design Plastic and Polymer Manufacture Technical Sales Waste Treatment The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!) but 'That's funny ...' --Isaac Asimov What Is Chemical Engineering? Chemical engineering majors learn to change raw materials into economically viable products. By solving technological problems, chemical engineers create innovations that impact our lives in surprising ways. Chemical Engineering Takes Chemistry Out Of the Lab and Into the World

Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, math, and physics to the design and operation of large-scale chemical manufacturing processes. They translate processes developed in the lab into practical applications for the production of products such as plastics, medicines, detergents, and fuels; design plants to maximize productivity and minimize costs; and evaluate plant operations for performance and product quality. Chemical engineers are employed by almost all companies in the chemical process industry. Their work also extends to processes in nuclear energy, materials science, food production, the development of new sources of energy, and even medicine. In addition to process and product development and design, chemical engineers work in areas such as production, research, environmental studies, market analysis, data processing, sales, and management. They affect or control at some stage the materials or production of almost every article manufactured on an industrial scale. Is the Broadest Branch of Engineering Chemical engineering is broader in scope than the other branches of engineering because it draws on the three main engineering foundations: math, physics, and chemistry-whereas the other branches are based on only the first two. A specific interest in chemistry combined an aptitude for math and science attracts individuals to the profession. The curriculum of study for chemical engineering is similar to that for chemistry but includes course work in engineering-related areas such as thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, process design, and control and electronics. Patrick Dickerson, a chemical engineer at Solutia, Inc., works in an area that produces hexamethylene diamine-a molecule used in the production of nylon. Dickerson explains that his work involves applying chemists findings to large-scale production. "We take what a chemist does-they synthesize a small amount of a material-and we scale it up to making several hundred tons per day. This process includes determining how to separate the desired product from its impurities." Dickerson continues, "We focus on kinetics more, and we're concerned with things such as fluid flow and heat transfer on a large scalethings that you don t necessarily have to worry about with smaller reactions in beakers. We design equipment that will accommodate these concerns." Once processes and equipment are designed, chemical engineers remain on hand at a production facility to solve problems that occur as the processes continue. When changes occur that upset a running system, chemical engineers analyze samples from the system, looking at parameters such as temperatures, pressures, and flow rates to determine where the problem exists. They also work on expanding projects, evaluating new equipment, and improving existing equipment and processes. Meeting safety, health, and environmental regulations is also a large part of a chemical engineer's work life. Provides Education on the Job Chemical engineers say that work experience is an extension of their education in the field. Dickerson explains, "In school, you learn about the theory. On the job, you learn real-world applications." He adds, "At work, I focus on manufacturing and the problems that arise, the real nuts and bolts of engineering; I

have to find out how to make a process work." Scott Harvey, a chemical engineer for Lonza, Inc., a specialty chemical producer, says, "Your degree is the key to starting your career, but on-the-job training is what make you good at the job." Gaining experience while still in school helps many individuals decide on their career paths. Both Dickerson and Harvey say that internships with their present employer led them to a career in their respective areas. Undergraduate work experience helped them decide what areas they were most interested in. Michele van Krieken, chemical engineering consultant for DuPont businesses, is responsible for making suggestions about new process ideas developed by DuPont's research departments. She performs economic analyses and recommends whether researchers should pursue development of the new process. Van Krieken says her position has traditionally been filled by experienced chemical engineers. However, her co-op work experience with the company gave her the edge and background needed to move into this position relatively quickly. Is a Satisfying Career Chemical engineers enjoy considerable variety in their work. "I work in the R&D labs", says Harvey. "In my work, I don t believe there's a typical project. The work can vary greatly depending on the type of project and its stage of development-for example, bench-top experimental work, report writing, technical presentations, or production-scale trial batches. I really enjoy the variety of the job." Harvey focuses on reaction engineering and describes his work as process or technology transfer-the transfer of new or improved chemical processes from the bench scale to commercial-scale equipment. Another satisfying part of his job, is seeing an idea through from the lab to the commercial plant. Dickerson agrees that chemical engineering is a satisfying career. "It's always nice to see that a process you worked on works. You work on improving a process and then you see those improvements in the end in the final product, and it's better than what you started with. That's a very satisfying feeling." Work Description Chemical engineers design and operate plants and processes for large-scale production of chemical products. They use chemistry, physics, and mathematical equations to solve real problems and design ways to produce products safely and economically. Working Conditions Chemical engineers typically work in manufacturing plants, research laboratories, or pilot plant facilities. They work around large-scale production equipment that is housed both indoors and outdoors. Often they are required to wear safety protective equipment, such as hard hats, goggles, and steel-toe shoes. Workdays may involve of moving from place to place within a facility. Chemical engineers also work in business and management offices; these positions, however, often require visiting research and production facilities. Interaction with other people who are part of a team is critical to the success of projects.

Places of Employment Chemical engineers are employed by almost every type of company in the chemical process industry; they work in a variety of settings, such as research, design, process control, sales, economic analysis, and management. Petroleum refineries and the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and service industries also employ them. Approximately three-quarters of all chemical engineers are working in manufacturing industries; the balance are employed by government or academia or are self-employed. Personal Characteristics A strong interest in chemistry, math, and physics is vital to success in this field because chemical engineering draws on all three disciplines. Chemical engineers are trained to apply lab processes to large-scale production, monitor processes, and understand highly technical material. As a result, thinking analytically, solving problems, and being creative are essential. Because projects often involve complex processes and problems that require teamwork and the preparation of reports, good interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills are highly desirable. Education and Training To enter the field, professionals must have at least a four-year bachelor s degree in chemical engineering that includes course work in physics, math (through differential equations), and computers. A chemical engineer s curriculum is similar to that of a chemist, but also includes course work in engineering-related areas such as heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, process design and control, and electronics. Economics, psychology, and political science help chemical engineers to understand the impact of technology on society. Chemical engineers say that although they learn a lot of theory in the classroom, most of their knowledge of real-world applications is derived from on-the-job training. Job Outlook The demand in the past few years for chemical engineers at major chemical and pharmaceutical companies is expected to continue. As the biotechnology industry continues to grow, opportunities for chemical engineers will expand. Chemical engineering research jobs are increasing in importance with the development and large-scale implementation of new energy sources designed as substitutes for the world s diminishing supplies of petroleum and natural gas. Salary Information To find out what a person in this type of position earns in your area of the country, please refer to the ACS Salary Comparator. Use of the ACS Salary Comparator is a member-only benefit. General information about salaries in chemical professions can be obtained through published survey results. For More Information

American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) 345 East 47th Street New York, NY 10017 AIChE has also produced career material as part of the Sloan Career Cornerstone Series. What You Can Do Now Find a mentor and/or summer work experience in the process industry. This helps you determine your areas of interest. Consider a variety of industries when planning for a career in the field-pharmaceutical companies, oil companies, and the government-not only chemical companies. Develop written and oral communication skills. Participate in activities that call for teamwork, require analytical skills, and offer opportunities to interact with others.