Will “Research Chemical Engineer” be Automated?

Core Skills & Abilities

• Evaluate chemical equipment and processes to identify ways to optimize performance or to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

• Conduct research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes.

• Develop processes to separate components of liquids or gases or generate electrical currents, using controlled chemical processes.

• Design and plan layout of equipment.

• Develop computer models of chemical processes.

• Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.

• Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.

• Perform laboratory studies of steps in manufacture of new products and test proposed processes in small-scale operation, such as a pilot plant.

• Design measurement and control systems for chemical plants based on data collected in laboratory experiments and in pilot plant operations.

• Determine most effective arrangement of operations such as mixing, crushing, heat transfer, distillation, and drying.

• Prepare estimate of production costs and production progress reports for management.

• Perform tests and monitor performance of processes throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables such as temperature, density, specific gravity, and pressure.

• Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.

• Direct activities of workers who operate or are engaged in constructing and improving absorption, evaporation, or electromagnetic equipment.