Chemical Engineers

17-2041.00

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

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.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Absorption process simulation software; Applied Flow Technology AFT Arrow; Applied Flow Technology AFT Fathom; AspenTech aspenONE; Cerebro CerebroMix; ChemicaLogic SteamTab; Chempute Software Engineer's Aide SINET; Chempute Software SuperPro Designer; Chempute Software VisiMix; Chemstations CHEMCAD; Control Station ENGINEER; EPCON International CHEMPRO Engineering Suite; EPCON International SiNET; EPCON International SYSTEM 7 Process Explorer; G&P Engineering Software EngVert; G&P Engineering Software PipeDrop; Laboratory information management system LIMS; Madison Technical Software Chempak Plus; Madison Technical Software Enviropak; Madison Technical Software Steampak; Minitab; Prode PD-Plus; SoftLab PHEdesign; Statistical software; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥; Thermal Analysis Systems The Energy Analyst
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD ; CD-adapco STAR-CAD; Computer aided design and drafting CADD software; Computer aided design CAD software; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks 🔥; PTC Creo Parametric
• Computer aided manufacturing CAM software - Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
• Data base user interface and query software - Chempute Software E-Notebook; G&P Engineering Software PhysProps; Microsoft Access 🔥; Relational database software; Structured query language SQL 🔥
• Desktop publishing software - Desktop publishing software
• Development environment software - C 🔥; Microsoft Visual Basic 🔥; National Instruments LabVIEW
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Exchange
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - SAP software 🔥
• Financial analysis software - Chempute Software EstPro
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Chempute Software ChemDraw
• Industrial control software - GE Fanuc Proficy Machine Edition; Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
• Object or component oriented development software - C++ 🔥; Microsoft Visual C# .NET; R 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint ; Presentation software
• Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel ; Spreadsheet software
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Research engineering aspects of biological or chemical processes.
• Develop technical methods or processes.
• Determine causes of operational problems or failures.
• Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
• Research industrial processes or operations.
• Conduct validation tests of equipment or processes.
• Estimate operational costs.
• Prepare operational reports.
• Design control systems for mechanical or other equipment.
• Determine operational methods.
• Direct industrial production activities.
• Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.
• Design industrial processing systems.