Job profile: Chemical development engineer

A chemical development engineer creates and develops industrial processes and plants to make the products on which modern society depends.

What are the typical progression routes?

Job description - Chemical development engineer

These products include fuels, food and drink, artificial fibres, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, toiletries, energy and clean water. Chemical development engineers may focus on one or more of the following: researching and developing new or improved product lines; bringing these new products and processes to an industrial scale; developing and modifying the manufacturing and processing plant that produces the products; the design and commissioning of new plant.Protecting the environment and safety are also significant concerns for the chemical development engineer.
 
Activities
  • Researching and developing new products
  • Applying new technologies relevant to the pharmaceutical industry
  • Designing, installing/constructing and commissioning new production plant
  • Providing solutions for environmental considerations
  • Running the plant profitably
 
Competencies
  • Understand engineering principles and maths
  • Good communication skills
  • Computer literacy
  • Good at chemistry
  • Submit data clearly and effectively
 
What are the routes in?
To become a chemical development engineer you will need an accredited chemical engineering degree or BTEC HNC/HND.For a degree course you will need at least five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) and two or three A levels/three or four H grades, normally including maths and chemistry.A foundation year for applicants without qualifications in maths and chemistry is optional with some universities.
 
Chemical engineers are always in demand with opportunities to reach senior managerial positions, often at a relatively young age.Initially you will gain experience of a range of projects either within the same company or, after chartering, through changing companies.It is possible to continue to work on projects and eventually to become a project manager.Another possible route may be to develop expertise in a new technique or process which is in demand within the industry and develop your career around this.Alternatively you may take on some corporate or technological responsibilities. Opportunities may occur to move into commercial areas such as technical sales, marketing, supply chain management, personnel, finance and IT.
 
What is the work like?
Most chemical development engineers usually work in laboratories and in teams.Working hours are typically nine to five, possibly with some extra hours. Working hours will vary with the project's stages and imminence of deadlines.Self-employment and consultancy are commonplace in the design and commissioning of new plant.There are many UK-based chemical companies where travel and overseas postings would be unnecessary, equally there are many global manufacturers and consultancies where overseas projects would be the norm.