Chemical Engineers
Human Advantage 69%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.7 / 10
This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Also Known As: Absorption and Adsorption Engineer, Automation Engineer, Blending Coordinator, Chemical Engineer, Chemical Process Engineer, Chemical Research Engineer, Chemical Test Engineer, Design Engineer +25 more
Core Tasks
- 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.
- Direct activities of workers who operate or are engaged in constructing and improving absorption, evaporation, or electromagnetic equipment.
- Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.
- Design and plan layout of equipment.
Emerging Tasks
New and evolving responsibilities for this role:
- Develop computer models of chemical processes.
Education & Training
Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
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.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (60)
Tools & Equipment (26)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Engineering Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 4
Chemical Engineers You are here
Plant Systems Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 1
Zone 2
Log Graders and Scalers 76% match
Zone 3
Forest and Conservation Technicians 77% match
Zone 4
Chemical Engineers You are here
Zone 5
Molecular and Cellular Biologists 79% match
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Real Talk
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