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Chemical Engineer Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Chemical Engineers, or Process Engineers, oversee the process of converting raw materials into new products in fields such as environmental conservation, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, energy and consumer manufacturing. Their duties include designing procedures to isolate different chemical elements and reconfigure them, testing the resulting products and designing equipment setups for optimal safety and efficiency.

Chemical Engineer duties and responsibilities

Chemical Engineers perform many scientific and technical related to the process of manufacturing products. Some of their typical duties and responsibilities include:

  • Developing manufacturing processes that minimize waste and increase the quality of finished products
  • Monitoring and testing processes and products found in all phases of production
  • Developing and implementing safety procedures for staff working with hazardous materials
  • Designing, planning and implementing the layout of manufacturing equipment to optimize production and decrease costs
  • Staying up to date with new and emerging manufacturing processes
  • Creating and presenting cost analysis reports to upper management

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What does a Chemical Engineer do?

Chemical Engineers are often employed in a laboratory environment to improve and refine chemical manufacturing methods. Chemical Engineers implement safety procedures to limit risk when working with volatile chemicals and heavy machinery, creating and testing new tools for properly developing a medication, household product or tech device. Their role is to apply biology and chemistry concepts to a manufacturing or processing environment within the scope of safety regulations. Chemical Engineers travel to different work sites to instruct and train manufacturers, collect samples to study, update processes and troubleshoot problems at production facilities.

Chemical Engineer skills and qualifications

Chemical Engineers must use many technical skills and transferable soft skills to make the best possible products at competitive prices and in the most responsible ways, including:

  • Ability to apply chemical principles in new and creative ways
  • Expert knowledge of chemical components, solutions and mixtures
  • Understanding of safe handling procedures of all chemicals, including hazardous materials
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Superior math skills, including physical and chemical math equations and theories
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to work effectively as a team with other staff members

Chemical Engineer salary expectations

A Chemincal Engineer makes an average of $89,324 per year. Salary may depend on level of education, experience and geographical location.

Chemical Engineer salary expectations

2025-10-0133000.0097084.40193000.00YEARLY
  • Common salary: 97084.40 YEARLY
  • Typical salaries range from 33000.00 - 193000.00 YEARLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Chemical Engineer education and training requirements

Entry-level Chemical Engineers have at least a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or another relevant field from an accredited program. Entry-level Chemical Engineers must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and attain their Professional Engineering (PE) License after working for four years. For higher-level positions or those with more complex responsibilities, experienced candidates with a PE license may be preferred. For managerial roles or those in research may be required to have a master’s degree in chemical engineering.

Chemical Engineer experience requirements

For roles with fewer complex responsibilities, entry-level Chemical Engineer candidates with internship experience may be qualified to complete on-the-job training under the supervision of more senior Chemical Engineers. Roles with complex responsibilities, research tasks or leadership opportunities, years of previous professional experience as a Chemical Engineer and a PE license may be required.

Job description samples for similar positions

If you’re recruiting for positions related to a Chemical Engineer, take a look at our job description templates for similar roles:

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Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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Frequently asked questions about Chemical Engineers

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