Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineer Job Description

Designs equipment and develops processes for manufacturing chemicals and related products utilizing principles and technology of chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, and related physical and natural sciences. Applies principles of chemistry and engineering to solve problems involving the production or use of chemicals. Plans and tests methods of manufacturing products and treating the by-products. Utilizes computer technology to optimize all phases of research and production. Requires a degree in Chemical Engineering. Excludes paraprofessionals and supervisory positions.: Designs, plans layout, and oversees workers engaged in constructing, controlling, and improving equipment to carry out chemical processes on a commercial scale. Analyzes operating procedures and equipment and machinery functions to reduce processing time and cost. Designs equipment to control movement, storage, and packaging of solids, liquids, and gases. Designs and plans measurement and control systems for chemical plants based on data collected in laboratory experiments and pilot plant operations. Determines most effective arrangement of unit operations such as mixing, grinding, crushing, heat transfer, size reduction, hydrogenation, distillation, purification, oxidation, polymerization, evaporation, and fermentation, exercising judgment to compromise between process requirements, economic evaluation, operator effectiveness, and physical and health hazards. Oversees activities of workers who operate and control such equipment as condensers, absorption and evaporation towers, kilns, pumps, stills, valves, tanks, boilers, compressors, grinders, pipelines, electro-magnets, and centrifuges to effect required chemical or physical change. Performs tests and takes measurements throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables, such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure. May conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes. May apply principles of chemical engineering to solve environmental problems. May apply principles of chemical engineering to solve bio-medical problems. May develop electro-chemical processes to generate electric currents, using controlled chemical reactions, or to produce chemical changes using electric currents. May specialize in heat transfer and energy conversion, petrochemicals and fuels, materials handling, pharmaceuticals, foods, forest products, or products such as plastics, detergents, rubber, or synthetic textiles. (Source: eDOT Job Description)