2 answers
Zakery
Student
Wichita, Kansas
2
Questions
Asked
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Can somebody please fill me in on what chemical engineers do, and where jobs are most common for them?
I think I have a pretty good idea on the job description but I would appreciate a legitimate first hand account. Also, I have no clue on where this occupation is found; my family and I are kinda worried I might have to move across the country (which is something I would be willing to do). #engineering #chemistry #help #chemical #job-descriptions
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2 answers
Wael Al-Rihawi
Mechanical Engineer I Automotive
1122
Answers
Redford Charter Township, Michigan
Updated
Wael’s Answer
Check the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qnqkNbGu4s
Adam Pridgen
Process Engineering
26
Answers
Columbus, Ohio
Updated
Adam’s Answer
Most common jobs in chemical engineering revolve around improving production by mitigating operation design flaws, develop processes and controls, ensure successful operation of converting raw materials into finished products, and continuously streamline applications. These are just a few areas where you'll find chemical engineers; however, there are many different hats a chemical engineer by trade can wear throughout their career. During your educational development you're conditioned to think as a chemical engineer by addressing complex problems through particular methods that involve feeding raw materials into systems for a desired output. Ensuring that the material flow through unit operation system performs as expected. This type of training in the schooling curriculum expands your problem solving capacity to focus on the intricate details that get materials from a raw state to optimal useful products and by-products.
The typical roles chemical engineers get into are process engineering, manufacturing engineering, food science engineering, packaging engineering, and many other similar roles that encompass optimization and operation support. More often, chemical engineers take on positions that partner with product development and act as bridge support between laboratory benchtop and operations to support commercial sized production. Most manufacturing sites hire engineers with a chemical engineering background due to the fine tuned troubleshooting skills acquired to address complexities in processes. Most chemical engineers aren't locked into any particular role but are able to contribute expertise to many different departments within manufacturing which is why it's such a lucrative career endeavor.
When searching for jobs, look into what industries are in the area you live currently that are in need of roles encompassing chemical engineering knowledge. There aren't particular localized areas but there are groupings of industries in certain locations. For example, if wanting to get into pharmaceuticals, the northern east coast is (NJ, NY, MA, CT) hosts a good saturation of pharmaceutical companies. The oil field (refining/fracking) is a more pertinent career chemical engineers venture into and areas around the Gulf (TX, LA, AL) have many major oil companies. You're definitely not limited to an area or role as a chemical engineer which is a good perk of the field. Explore opportunities within your current vicinity then branch out from there. Nutrition, plastics, metals, foods, chemicals, and personal care industries are stationed throughout the US. There are also opportunities that allow you to travel abroad if a company is globally located and there's a need for international support.
The typical roles chemical engineers get into are process engineering, manufacturing engineering, food science engineering, packaging engineering, and many other similar roles that encompass optimization and operation support. More often, chemical engineers take on positions that partner with product development and act as bridge support between laboratory benchtop and operations to support commercial sized production. Most manufacturing sites hire engineers with a chemical engineering background due to the fine tuned troubleshooting skills acquired to address complexities in processes. Most chemical engineers aren't locked into any particular role but are able to contribute expertise to many different departments within manufacturing which is why it's such a lucrative career endeavor.
When searching for jobs, look into what industries are in the area you live currently that are in need of roles encompassing chemical engineering knowledge. There aren't particular localized areas but there are groupings of industries in certain locations. For example, if wanting to get into pharmaceuticals, the northern east coast is (NJ, NY, MA, CT) hosts a good saturation of pharmaceutical companies. The oil field (refining/fracking) is a more pertinent career chemical engineers venture into and areas around the Gulf (TX, LA, AL) have many major oil companies. You're definitely not limited to an area or role as a chemical engineer which is a good perk of the field. Explore opportunities within your current vicinity then branch out from there. Nutrition, plastics, metals, foods, chemicals, and personal care industries are stationed throughout the US. There are also opportunities that allow you to travel abroad if a company is globally located and there's a need for international support.