Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering - Chemical Engineer
Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering - Chemical Engineer
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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
As a Chemical Engineer, you could work in a laboratory, in an office or at a manufacturing plant.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Chemical Engineers tend to work between 39 to 41 hours a week. You could work evenings, weekends and bank holidays on shifts.
Starting: £30,000
Experienced: £65,000
You'll normally need a degree or postgraduate qualification in:
- chemical engineering
- process engineering
- biochemical engineering
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.
You may be able to do a science industry process engineer degree apprenticeship.
You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship.
You could start as a chemical engineering technician and do training on the job to qualify as an engineer.