Chemical engineering technician
Chemical engineering technicians develop processes used in the manufacturing of medicines, food, textiles and fuels.
- Starter salary£25,000 a year
- Experienced£42,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 42 a week
- Green jobPotential
What you'll do
As a chemical engineering technician, you could:
- help to design, build or install production plant equipment
- research new products and processes in the laboratory
- monitor production processes and machinery
- record data and make adjustments to instruments
- follow safety procedures and regulations
- carry out quality control checks
Working environment
You could work at a manufacturing plant, in an office or in a laboratory.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- complex problem-solving skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- analytical thinking skills
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a chemical engineering technician
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
University
You can do a foundation degree, higher national certificate or degree in:
- chemistry
- chemical sciences
- chemical engineering
- biochemical engineering
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including chemistry
College
You can take a college course before applying to a company for a trainee technician job.
Courses include:
- applied science
- chemistry
- T Level in Science (laboratory sciences option)
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could apply for a place on a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship to get into this job, such as:
- Laboratory Technician
- Science Manufacturing Technician
- Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician
With experience, you might also go on to do a Technician Scientist Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.
These can take between 2 and 4 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a shift or lab supervisor in a production plant, eventually moving into management.
You could also work in:
- materials development and design
- quality control
- product sales and marketing
With further training, you could become a chemical engineer .
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Institution of Chemical Engineers for professional development opportunities.
Guides for this industry
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