Career as a Chemical Engineer

Isn’t it fascinating how two distinct things can combine to create something entirely new? Isn’t it strange how, despite all the differences in the world, everything is made of the tiniest unit atoms? Chemical engineers operate under such fundamental facts and many others. If you want to understand the world’s components design and develop world-changing things, then you should seriously consider becoming a chemical engineer.

Read this comprehensive guide to learn about having a career as a chemical engineer, as well as top recruiters, salary information, and much more.

What does a Chemical Engineer do?

Chemical engineers support research and development in a range of fields by using their scientific expertise and testing procedures.

Other important responsibilities include:

• Physical and chemical testing of materials and products
• Develop, design, and research novel production techniques.
• Plan and carry out tests.
• Using data analysis, draw conclusions.
• Results of the analysis and study should be communicated.
• Examine present procedures and devise ways to improve their efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Establish criteria and standards for procedures, infrastructure, goods, and evaluations.
• Aid in the creation of budgets and timetables.
• Equipment and facilities installation, maintenance, and inspection.
• Perform routine instrument calibration and troubleshooting.
• Give technical employees mentoring and training.

Job Roles for a Chemical Engineer

• Process Design Engineer.
• Environmental Engineer.
• Plant Process Engineer.
• Process Safety Engineer.
• Technical Sales Person.
• Environmental waste management.
• Chemical Plant Technical Director.
• Petroleum Engineer.

Different Career paths for becoming a Chemical engineer

Path 1

• You can complete 12-Science (Maths). 
• Then finish your B.Tech in Chemical Engineering. 
• You can then pursue an M.Tech in Chemical Engineering followed by a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering.

Path 2

• You can complete 12-Science (Maths).
• Then finish your Diploma in Chemical Engineering followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Chemical Engineering.

You can read this comprehensive guide to know how to become a chemical engineer.

Salary of a Chemical engineer at different stages of career

Chemical Engineer salaries in India range from 1.7 Lakhs to 9.3 Lakhs with an average annual salary of 3.5 Lakhs for those with less than one year of experience.

Years of Experience	Average Annual Salary(INR)
1-2 years	2.8 L
2-3 years	3.4 L
3-4 years	3.7 L
4-5 years	4.3 L
5-6 years	4.9 L
7-8 years	5.9 L

Skills required to become a Chemical Engineer

• Analytical Skills: Chemical engineers must be analytical because the discipline requires critical thinking, logical reasoning, and data analysis. Understanding why something isn’t going as planned or why a product isn’t working properly can assist you in deciphering and identifying potential issues, allowing you to resolve them.

• Mathematical Skills: Mathematics is an important aspect of chemical engineering. You work with numbers all day, especially in a laboratory setting where advanced computer software and comprehensive theoretical models are used. Theoretical physics, process design and control, and chemical reactions all use mathematics.

• Project Management Skills: A chemical engineer in a project management role must delegate tasks, motivate employees, manage their time, and ensure the highest quality project outcomes, hence this skill becomes really important.

• Problem Solving Skills: This career is all about problem-solving, applying the principles of chemistry, biology, and mathematics to the production of chemicals, pharmaceutical products, food, fuel, and a variety of other consumer and industrial products.     

•  Computer Skills: Chemical engineers receive formal education and training to become IT literate, numerate, and computer savvy. As a professional in this field, you will rely on cutting-edge technologies and software that are constantly evolving. Computer skills go hand in hand with chemical engineering, whether it’s working with data or performing calculations.

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Is a Chemical Engineer a good career option?

• Chemical engineering is a good career choice for those who enjoy math and physics. The job is demanding, but it is also extremely rewarding. If you have a genuine interest in the subject, you are more likely to succeed.

• The chemical and process sector is home to some of the world’s largest corporations and brands. Not surprisingly, oil and gas dominate the top 50 revenue-generating companies, alongside energy companies and pharmaceutical suppliers.

• Chemical engineers are in high demand in a variety of industries, such as petrochemicals and energy in general, polymers, advanced materials, microelectronics, medicine, and fertilizers. From 2020 to 2030, chemical engineer employment is expected to grow at a similar rate to the national average.

Also read: How to become a Materials Engineer

Types of Industries hiring a Chemical Engineer

• Petroleum and Petrochemicals
• Nuclear
• Biochemistry
• Marine Science
• Construction
• Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
• Energy Sector
• Fibers and Polymers
• Safety Compliance
• Specialty Chemicals
• Designing
• Computer and IT
• Microelectronics
• Food Packaging
• Environment
• Business Services

Top Recruiters for Chemical Engineering in India

• Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL)
• Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL)
• Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL)
• Coal India Ltd. (CIL)
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
• Steel Authority of India (SAIL)
• Reliance Industries Ltd. 
• Essar Oil Ltd
• Nippon Paints

Courses to upskill as a chemical Engineer

You can consider doing a course in mentioned list below to enhance your skillset as a chemical engineer:

• Material Processing
• Exploring Renewable Energy
• Nanotechnology
• Chemicals and Health
• Advanced Chemistry
• Statistical thermodynamics
• Industrial Biotechnology
  
  Try Clever Harvey’s JuniorMBA Chief Technology Officer program and improve your personality to stand out in the skills you enjoy if you want to develop such extraordinary skills and stand out from the crowd.

Qualifications to become a Chemical Engineer

As previously stated, there are various paths to becoming a chemical engineer. In this section, we will go over the various degrees available in India and abroad to become a chemical engineer

Degrees in India

• You must have passed a Class 12 or equivalent exam with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and must pass an entrance exam like JEE, or VITEE, to become a chemical engineer.
• The Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering program is a four-year comprehensive curriculum.
• Postgraduate degree in chemical engineering that can be followed by a two-year master’s program in chemical engineering, such as an M.E. or M.Tech.
• After completing your bachelor’s degree, you can take the GATE exam to gain admission to a postgraduate program.

Degrees Abroad

• Undergraduates can earn a bachelor of engineering (BEng) in three to four years or a master of engineering (MEng) in four to five years.
• Although the modules and content of these courses may appear to be comparable at first, MEng students will eventually study a broader range of topics in greater depth.
• If you want to be admitted to a university abroad, prepare for IELTS and TOEFL, and need assistance with SAT preparation? We have some details for you. Check out our SAT blog.

Read about: How to become a Mechanical Engineer

References for Chemical Engineers

Famous Personalities

• Francis Hamilton Arnold
• Dr. Maria K. Burka
• Kristi Anseth
• Alice Petry Gast

Books

• Portrait of a Chemical Engineer
• Barnan’s rules of thumb for chemical engineers
• Refinery process modeling

We hope that this comprehensive guide provided you with a wealth of information about chemical engineers.

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FAQs about the career as a Chemical Engineer