How to Become a Process Engineer

A process engineer is responsible for the construction, maintenance and improvement of large-scale production facilities. These specialists are typically educated as chemical engineers and can work in facilities that produce goods ranging from sports drinks to industrial-grade sulfuric acid. To become a process engineer, you need general training as a chemical engineer.

Things You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering.

Instructions

1. Study chemical engineering in school. While other forms of engineering like mechanical, civil, computer and electrical often have careers that overlap, chemical engineers tend to be very specialized. You'll be taking many upper level chemistry classes in addition to engineering, math and physics courses.

2. Try to do undergraduate research with one of your professors. While you can understand a mass balance and how to adjust fluid flows in class, working with a professor will show you how to solve engineering problems in the real world. Try to find a professor who does consulting process development rather than one who does pure science research.

3. Join a student chapter of a process engineer trade group. Two of the most common are the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (see Resources below). Both of these groups offer undergraduates the chance to present their research both in published and convention settings.

4. Intern with the process engineering department of a company. If you don't want to work in a chemical plant, there are many opportunities for employment in the food industry. The real-world experience of a co-op or internship is what will help distinguish your job application from all of the other recent graduates.

5. Stay in touch with the trade groups you joined as a student. As a member, you'll have access to more online job postings and opportunities to take classes to develop your skills. Membership fees do become a bit more expensive after you graduate, so only retain your membership in groups that you find useful.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to go back to school for a master's degree in chemical engineering after you've worked as a process engineer for a few years. A master's helps you specialize your abilities into fields like process design, fluid management or pharmaceutical production.

• Many employers pay for some or all of their workers' master's degrees.

Resources

• AIChE to network with other process engineers.
• Process engineering jobs in the pharmaceutical industry at ISPE.