Chemical engineer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You'll normally need a degree or postgraduate qualification in:

• chemical engineering
• process engineering
• biochemical engineering

You may be able to do a postgraduate conversion course if you have a degree in a related area like engineering, chemistry or polymer science.

Some universities offer a foundation year for people without qualifications in maths and science, which allows them to move onto the degree course afterwards.

You could take a postgraduate master's qualification like an MEng. This would include independent research and would give you a greater knowledge and understanding of chemical engineering science. It could also prepare you for further postgraduate study like a PhD.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including chemistry
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a science industry process engineer degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could start as a chemical engineering technician and do training on the job to qualify as an engineer.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• maths knowledge
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• design skills and knowledge
• knowledge of physics
• analytical thinking skills
• science skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• complex problem-solving skills
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• the ability to read English
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Chemical engineers develop ways to turn raw materials into everyday products.

If you work in research and development, you could;test new ways to develop products in the lab; use computer models to work out safe and cost-effective production methods; plan how to move from lab tests to pilot production and then large-scale processing; develop methods to deal safely with by-products and waste materials

In manufacturing, you could:

• work with plant designers to create production equipment and instruments
• oversee the day-to-day operation of the processing plant
• monitor production and deal with problems
• work closely with quality control and health and safety managers

Location : You could work in a laboratory, in an office or at a manufacturing plant.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £30,000
Experienced : £65,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

39 - 41 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

With experience, you could progress to senior process or design engineer, research and development manager.

You could go on to be a plant manager, or overall operations manager.

You could also move into consultancy work.