Chemical Engineer
What the work is
Designs and develops chemical process systems, equipment and specifications for the construction and operation of chemical plants and commercial-scale production, including transportation of chemicals, materials and energy. Supervises industrial processing and fabrication of products undergoing physical and chemical changes.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Researches, designs, develops and improves chemical processes, process systems, reactions and materials
- Identifies ways to optimise performance of chemical equipment and processes while ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations
- Develops operating procedures, safety protocols and methods to deal with by-products and waste materials, and troubleshoots problems with chemical manufacturing processes
- Collaborates with plant designers to develop chemical plant specifications, equipment and control instruments for the production process
- Supervises the fabrication and installation of equipment and systems for chemical processes and transportation
- Monitors and analyses data from processes, and conducts research and experiments to develop new chemical processes and improve existing ones
- Provides technical support and guidance to staff involved in chemical processes and plant operations
- May use computer models to identify cost-effective production methods while minimising risks
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a plant that makes cleaning and industrial products, plus a lab that tests materials. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A process you adjusted runs smoothly and the plant quietly uses less energy
- You find out why a part keeps failing, and the fix is finally clear
- An operator says your change made their shift easier
Hard days
- A production run is off specification and everyone wants an answer before you have one
- Test results come back confusing and contradict what you were expecting
- A safety review that slows a project everyone else is excited about
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 243131, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.