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Chemical engineer

Alternative titles for this job include

Chemical engineers develop ways to turn raw materials into everyday products.

Average salary (a year)

£34,000 Starter

to

£65,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 41 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Chemical engineer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You can do a degree or postgraduate qualification accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). 

Subjects include:

  • chemical engineering
  • process engineering
  • biochemical engineering

You may be able to do a postgraduate conversion course if you have a degree in a related area like engineering, chemistry or polymer science.

Many courses include work placements which can give you valuable experience of working in the industry.

Some universities offer a foundation year for people without qualifications in maths and science, which allows them to move onto the degree course afterwards.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including chemistry
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Science Industry Process Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This takes around 5 years to complete and combines learning on the job and time spent with a training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could join a company as a chemical engineering technician and do training on the job to qualify as an engineer.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join IChemE for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You can find more details about how to become a chemical engineer from IChemE.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
  • maths knowledge
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a chemical engineer in research and development, you could;

  • test new ways to develop products in the lab, like biofuels
  • use computer modelling to investigate cost-effective and environmentally friendly production methods
  • plan how to turn lab research into pilot production, 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

Working environment

You could work in a laboratory, at a manufacturing plant or in an office.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

Chemical engineers can be found working in many different sectors, including:

  • pharmaceuticals
  • energy production
  • food and drink manufacturing
  • environmental engineering

With experience, you could become a senior process or design engineer, or research and development manager.

You might go on to be a plant manager or overall operations manager.

You could also work towards chartered engineer status, which gives professional recognition of your skills and expertise in the industry.

Current opportunities

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Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Chemical engineer right now.

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Courses In England

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Jobs In the United Kingdom

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