Chemical engineering technician

Chemical engineering technicians transform raw materials in order to develop and test chemical products. They also work on improving chemical plant operations and processes.

Chemical engineering technicians typically do the following:

• help to design, build or install production plant equipment
• carry out laboratory experiments to develop new products
• monitor production processes
• record data and make adjustments to machinery
• carry out maintenance checks and make repairs
• make sure safety procedures are followed
• carry out quality control checks

The following job titles also refer to chemical engineering technician:

chemical process engineering technician
production chemistry technician
chemical engineering worker
chemical research technician
chemical engineering developer
chemical operations engineering technician
chemical industry engineering technician

An associate’s degree in chemistry, applied science chemistry or chemical engineering is generally required to work as a chemical engineering technician.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Chemical engineering technician is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to chemical engineering technician.

corrosion technician
chemical manufacturing quality technician
chemical processing supervisor
physics technician
liquid waste treatment plant operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of chemical engineering technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of chemical engineering technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

analytical chemist
assayer
cosmetic chemist
biochemist
chemist

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of chemical engineering technician.

• Production processes: Materials and techniques required in the production and distribution processes.
• Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
• Risk management: The process of identifying, assessing, and prioritising of all types of risks and where they could come from, such as natural causes, legal changes, or uncertainty in any given context, and the methods on dealing with risks effectively.
• Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
• Laboratory techniques: Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.
• Quality assurance methodologies: Quality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.
• Chemistry: The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.

These skills are necessary for the role of chemical engineering technician.

• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
• Perform laboratory tests: Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
• Translate formulae into processes: Translate, by means of computer models and simulations, the specific laboratory formulae and findings into production processes.
• Execute analytical mathematical calculations: Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
• Use ICT systems: Select and use ICT systems for a variety of complex tasks in order to meet a variety of needs.
• Perform product testing: Test processed workpieces or products for basic faults.
• Run laboratory simulations: Run simulations on prototypes, systems or newly developed chemical products using laboratory equipment.
• Apply safety procedures in laboratory: Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
• Calibrate laboratory equipment: Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.
• Work safely with chemicals: Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
• Collaborate with engineers: Work closely and communicate with engineers on designs or new products.
• Analyse experimental laboratory data: Analyse experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings
• Test chemical samples: Perform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schemes.
• Determine production feasibility: Determine if a product or its components can be produced by applying engineering principles.
• Prepare chemical samples: Prepare the specific samples such as gas, liquid or solid samples in order for them to be ready for analysis, labeling and storing samples according to specifications.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of chemical engineering technician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Analytical chemistry: Instruments and methods used to separate, identify and quanitfy matter – the chemical components of natural and artificial materials and solutions.
• Nuclear reprocessing: The process in which radioactive substances can be extracted or recycled for use as nuclear fuel, and in which waste levels can be reduced, yet without the reduction of radioactivity levels or generation of heat.
• Corrosion types: The various types of oxidation reactions with the environment, such as rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others.
• Hazardous waste types: The different types of waste which poses risks to the environment or public health and safety, such as radioactive waste, chemicals and solvents, electronics, and mercury-containing waste.
• Nuclear energy: The generation of electrical energy through the use of nuclear reactors, by converting the energy released from nuclei of atoms in reactors which generate heat. This heat subsequently generates steam which can power a steam turbine to generate electricity.
• Energy efficiency: Field of information concerning the reduction of the use of energy. It encompasses calculating the consumption of energy, providing certificates and support measures, saving energy by reducing the demand, encouraging efficient use of fossil fuels, and promoting the use of renewable energy.
• Inorganic chemistry: The chemistry of substances that do not contain hydrocarbon radicals.
• Radiation protection: The measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.
• Hazardous waste storage: The regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of chemical engineering technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Use chromatography software: Use the chromatography data system software which collects and analyses the chromatography detectors results.
• Schedule production: Schedule the production aiming maximum profitability while still maintaining the company KPIs in cost, quality, service and innovation.
• Maintain nuclear reactors: Repair and perform routine maintenance on equipment which controls nuclear chain reactions to generate electricity, ensure that the equipment functions safely and compliant with legislation.
• Maintain laboratory equipment: Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and inspect it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.
• Dispose of hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
• Manage health and safety standards: Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company’s health and safety programmes.
• Communicate with external laboratories: Communicate with the external analytical laboratories in order to manage the required external testing process.
• Identify hazards in the workplace: Perform safety audits and inspections on workplaces and workplace equipment. Ensure that they meet safety regulations and identify hazards and risks.
• Supervise laboratory operations: Supervise the staff working in a laboratory, as well as oversee that equipment is functional and maintained, and procedures occur in compliance with regulations and legislation.
• Recognise signs of corrosion: Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.
• Archive scientific documentation: Store documents such as protocols, analysis results and scientific data using archiving systems to enable scientists and engineers to take methods and results from previous studies into account for their research.
• Recommend product improvements: Recomend product modifications and process improvements.
• Write batch record documentation: Write reports on the manufactured batches history taking into account the raw data, tests performed and compliance to GMP of each batch of product.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Set production facilities standards: Ensure a high standard of safety and quality in facilities, systems, and workers’ behaviour. Ensure adherence to procedures and audit standards. Ensure that machinery and appliances in the production plant are appropriate for their task.
• Analyse production processes for improvement: Analyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.
• Maintain chromotography machinery: Maintain the machinery used in chromatographic methodologies by executing small repairs and escalating the problems that are related to the machinery manufacturer.
• Control production: Plan, coordinate, and direct all production activities to insure the goods are made on time, in correct order, of adequate quality and composition, starting from intake goods up to shipping.

3116 – Chemical engineering technicians

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References

1. Chemical engineering technician – ESCO
2. Chemical engineering technician | Explore careers – National Careers Service
3. Featured image: Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash