Skip to content
ESCO occupation

chemical engineer

Back to ESCO occupations

Chemical engineers design and develop large-scale chemical and physical production processes and are involved in the entire industrial process required for transforming raw materials into products.

2145.1 ISCO 2145 ESCO source
Competences
106
Groups
4
Essential
18
Optional
88

Competences and skills

106 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 8 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

4 competences
engineering processes

The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.

ESCO source
green chemistry

The process of creating chemical products that diminish or cancel the negative impact on the environment caused by the use of hazardous substances. It follows all the phases of chemical product generation from the design to the manufacturing and its disposal.

green
ESCO source
oxidation

Oxidation and reduction are chemical processes characterised in terms of oxygen, hydrogen or electrons transfer that occurs during a reaction between a molecule, atom or ion.

ESCO source
spectroscopy

The scientific field that focuses on investigating and measuring spectra that are produced through electromagnetic radiation either in the form of materials interaction with radiations or their emission.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

4 competences
analytical chemistry

Instruments and methods used to separate, identify and quantify matter-the chemical components of natural and artificial materials and solutions.

ESCO source
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.

ESCO source
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.

ESCO source
materials engineering

The study of existing materials and substances properties to produce new materials or enhance several existing properties such as chemical or physical ones. It involves knowledge on the structure, on the performance of diverse materials and on the transferability of the new or improved materials to different industries.

ESCO source
Essential skills and competences 10 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

1 competence
develop components separation processes

Develop new processes using controlled chemical processes in order to perform liquid or gases components separation or to generate electrical currents.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

9 competences
adjust engineering designs

Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.

ESCO source
apply health and safety standards

Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.

ESCO source
approve engineering design

Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.

ESCO source
assess environmental impact

Monitor environmental impacts and carry out assessments in order to identify and to reduce the organisation's environmental risks while taking costs into account.

green
ESCO source
forecast organisational risks

Analyse the operations and actions of a company in order to assess their repercussions, possible risks for the company, and to develop suitable strategies to address these.

ESCO source
perform chemical experiments

Perform chemical experiments with the aim of testing various products and substances in order to draw conclusions in terms of product viability and replicability.

ESCO source
perform scientific research

Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.

research
ESCO source
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.

ESCO source
work with chemicals

Handle chemicals and select specific ones for certain processes. Be aware of the reactions which arise from combining them.

ESCO source
Optional knowledge 46 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

10 competences
biological chemistry

Biological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

ESCO source
drug administration regulations

The rules and regulations of the European legislations and of the Food and Drugs Administration regarding clinical trials and drug development.

ESCO source
electrical instrumentation engineering

The way in which electrical and instrumentation engineering (E and I engineering) modernises the production infrastructure from design to preparation of execution phase and the execution phase itself followed by the after-sales services, improvements obtain by using the electrical and instrumentation engineering.

ESCO source
good manufacturing practices

Regulatory requirements and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) applied in the relevant manufacturing sector.

Scope note
GMP applies to food, cosmetics, drugs and pharmaceutical products manufacturing.
ESCO source
mechanical engineering

Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.

ESCO source
microbiology-bacteriology

Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

ESCO source
pollution legislation

Be familiar with European and National legislation regarding the risk of pollution.

green
ESCO source
properties of textile materials

The characteristics and properties of different textile and fabric materials. These include strength, flexibility, elasticity, softness, durability, heat insulation, low weight, water absorbency/repellence, dyeability and resistance to chemicals. Moreover, the influence of chemical composition and molecular arrangement of yarn and fibre properties and fabric structure on the physical properties of textile fabrics; the different fibre types; the materials used in different processes and the effect on materials as they are processed. 

ESCO source
software architecture models

The set of structures and models needed to understand or describe the software system, including the software elements, the relations between them and the properties of both elements and relations.

digital
ESCO source
types of plastic

Types of plastic materials and their chemical composition, physical properties, possible issues and usage cases.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

36 competences
basic chemicals

The production and characteristisc of organic basic chemicals such as ethanol, methanol, benzene and inorganic basic chemicals such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen.

ESCO source
biology

Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.

green
ESCO source
chemical preservation

Process of adding chemical compounds to a product, such as food or pharmaceutical products, to prevent decay caused by chemical changes or microbial activity.

ESCO source
composite materials

The properties of different materials developped in a laboratory, their usage per type of products, and how to create them.

ESCO source
computer engineering

Engineering discipline that combines computer science with electrical engineering to develop computer hardware and software. Computer engineering occupies itself with electronics, software design, and the integration of hardware and software.

digital
ESCO source
design principles

The elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.

ESCO source
electrical engineering

The field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.

ESCO source
electricity

The principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.

ESCO source
human physiology

The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.

ESCO source
industrial software

The selection of software that aids in estimating, managing and scheduling industrial processes such as design, work flow and production improvement.

digital
ESCO source
intellectual property law

The regulations that govern the set of rights protecting products of the intellect from unlawful infringement.

ESCO source
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.

ESCO source
manufacturing processes

The steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.

ESCO source
material mechanics

The behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains.

ESCO source
mechanics

Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

ESCO source
nanotechnology

Technologies, science, and engineering activities conducted on a nanoscale, where material or extremely small components are manipulated on an atomic, molecular, or supramolecular scale.

ESCO source
optical engineering

Subdiscipline of engineering that deals with the development of optical instruments and applications, such as telescopes, microscopes, lenses, lasers, fibre optic communication, and imaging systems.

ESCO source
packaging engineering

The processes of packaging or protecting products for distribution, storage and sale.

ESCO source
pharmaceutical chemistry

The chemical aspects of identification and synthetic alteration of chemical entities as they relate to therapeutic use. The way various chemicals affect biological systems and how they can be integrated in drug development.

ESCO source
pharmaceutical drug development

Drug manufacturing phases: pre-clinical phase (research and tests on animals), clinical phase (clinical trials on humans) and the sub-phases required to obtain as an end product a pharmaceutical drug.

ESCO source
pharmaceutical industry

The main stakeholders, companies and procedures in the pharmaceutical industry and the laws and regulations that govern the patenting, testing, safety and marketing of drugs.

ESCO source
pharmaceutical legislation

European and national legal framework for the development, distribution, and use of medicinal products for humans.

ESCO source
pharmaceutical manufacturing quality systems

The quality systems model that apply in pharmaceutical manufacturies. The most common system ensures quality in facilities and equipment system, laboratory controls system, materials system, production system and packaging and labelling system.

ESCO source
pharmaceutical technology

Pharmaceutical technology is the branch of pharmaceutics which deals with the technological design, development, manufacture, and evaluation of drugs and medicinal products.

ESCO source
pharmacology

Pharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

ESCO source
pharmacovigilance legislation

Regulations used to control and monitor adverse drug reactions at EU level.

ESCO source
physics

The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.

ESCO source
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.

ESCO source
quality standards

The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

ESCO source
safety engineering

The study of the risks associated with engineered designs and systems, accident prevention as well as the safety benefits of reducing deaths and injuries. The discipline focuses on analysing and mitigating potential hazards in engineering processes.

green
ESCO source
semiconductors

Semiconductors are essential components of electronic circuits and contain properties of both insulators, such as glass, and conductors, such as copper. Most semiconductors are crystals made of silicon or germanium. By introducing other elements in the crystal through doping, the crystals turn into semiconductors. Depending on the amount of electrons created by the doping process, the crystals turn into N-type semiconductors, or P-type semiconductors.

ESCO source
supply chain management

The flow of goods in the supply chain, movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.

ESCO source
thermoplastic materials

Types of materials of which the physical state changes when exposed to heat, as well as the specific manner in which the materials react to heat exposure.

ESCO source
toxicology

The negative effects of chemicals on living organisms, their dose and exposure.

ESCO source
types of metal

Qualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.

ESCO source
types of packaging materials

Properties of materials that make them suitable for packaging. Conversion of raw materials into packaging materials. Different types of labels and materials used which comply with the correct storage criteria depending on the goods.

ESCO source
Optional skills and competences 42 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

9 competences
assess hydrogen production technologies

Compare technological and economic characteristics of different options to produce hydrogen. This includes comparing sources (natural gas, water and electricity, biomass, coal) and related technologies.

green
ESCO source
evaluate pharmaceutical manufacturing process

Evaluate the ongoing pharmaceutical production process against the latest developments on the market regarding the mixing, compounding and packaging, ensuring the necessary updates are implemented.

ESCO source
examine samples in dermatology

Prepare tissue, blood or skin samples for examination procedures and analyse them by running chemical and biological tests.

ESCO source
execute feasibility study on hydrogen

Perform the evaluation and assessment of the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. Compare costs, technologies and available sources to produce, transport and store hydrogen. Take into account the environmental impact to support the process of decision making.

green
ESCO source
explain the molecular basis of a disease to patients

Explain to patients the basis of their disease from the molecular and metabolic points of view and how therapies can affect their lifestyles.

ESCO source
manage pharmaceutical production facilities construction

Manage the design and construction of pharmaceutical production facilities making sure the facilities and process validation are according to the planning and conform to FDA and GMP.

ESCO source
provide information on hydrogen

Provide organisations and individuals searching for alternative energy fuels information on costs, benefits, and negative aspects of the use of hydrogen. Inform about what one must take into account when considering the implementation of hydrogen solutions.

green
ESCO source
test pharmaceutical process

Test the systems used to manufacture pharmaceuticals measuring and analysing the processes to ensure that the products are produced according to specifications.

ESCO source
test production input materials

Test the supplied materials prior to their release into processing, ensuring the results are complying with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and to the suppliers` COA (Certificate of Analysis).

ESCO source

Cross-sector

33 competences
advise on pollution prevention

Advise individuals and organisations on the development and implementation of actions which aid in the prevention of pollution and its related risks.

green
ESCO source
advise on waste management procedures

Advise organisations on the implementation of waste regulations and on improvement strategies for waste management and waste minimisation, to increase environmentally sustainable practices and environmental awareness.

green
ESCO source
analyse production processes for improvement

Analyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.

ESCO source
analyse test data

Interpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.

ESCO source
assess the feasibility of implementing developments

Study developments and innovation proposals in order to determine their applicability in the business and their feasibility of implementation from various fronts such as economic impact, business image, and consumer response.

ESCO source
conduct public presentations

Speak in public and interact with those present. Prepare notices, plans, charts, and other information to support the presentation.

ESCO source
contribute to registration of pharmaceutical products

Participate in the registration process that allows the sale and distribution of substances that treat or prevent human and animal diseases or enable medical diagnosis.

ESCO source
create solutions to problems

Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.

ESCO source
define quality standards

Define, in collaboration with managers and quality experts, a set of quality standards to ensure compliance with regulations and help achieve customers' requirements.

ESCO source
design optical systems

Design and develop optical and imaging systems, products, and components, such as lasers, microscopes, optical fibre, cameras, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines.

ESCO source
design pharmaceutical manufacturing systems

Design production control systems which involve all processes from pharmaceutical production process to pharmaceutical stocks with the purpose of providing the correct input for the development of pharmaceutica manufacturing plant software packages.

digital
ESCO source
design prototypes

Design prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.

ESCO source
develop chemical products

Research and create new chemicals and plastics used in the production of a variety of goods such as pharmaceuticals, textile, building materials and household products.

ESCO source
develop material testing procedures

Develop testing protocols in collaboration with engineers and scientists to enable a variety of analyses such as environmental, chemical, physical, thermal, structural, resistance or surface analyses on a wide range of materials such as metals, ceramics or plastics.

ESCO source
develop pharmaceutical drugs

Develop new therapeutic products according to the potential formulas, studies and indications recorded during the research process which involved also collaboration with physicians, biochemists and pharmacologists.

ESCO source
draft design specifications

List the design specifications such as materials and parts to be used and a cost estimate.

ESCO source
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.

green
ESCO source
ensure compliance with safety legislation

Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.

ESCO source
establish collaborative relations

Establish a connection between organisations or individuals which may benefit from communicating with one another in order to facilitate an enduring positive collaborative relationship between both parties.

ESCO source
examine engineering principles

Analyse the principles that need to be considered for engineering designs and projects such as functionality, replicability, costs and other principles.

ESCO source
improve chemical processes

Collect data required to make improvements or modifications to chemical processes. Develop new industrial processes, design new process plants/equipment or modify existing ones.

ESCO source
integrate new products in manufacturing

Assist with the integration of new systems, products, methods, and components in the production line. Ensure that production workers are properly trained and follow the new requirements.

ESCO source
manage chemical testing procedures

Manage the procedures to be used in chemical testing by designing them and conducting tests accordingly.

ESCO source
monitor plant production

Monitor plant processes and efficiency set-up to ensure the maximum output of production levels.

ESCO source
perform laboratory tests

Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.

ESCO source
provide technical expertise

Provide expert knowledge in a particular field, especially concerning mechanical or scientific subjects, to decision makers, engineers, technical staff or journalists.

ESCO source
record test data

Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.

ESCO source
test materials

Test the composition, characteristics, and use of materials in order to create new products and applications. Test them under normal and extraordinary conditions.

ESCO source
use CAD software

Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.

digital
ESCO source
use chemical analysis equipment

Use the laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equimpent, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chambre.

ESCO source
use technical drawing software

Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.

digital
ESCO source
write batch record documentation

Write reports on the manufactured batches history taking into account the raw data, tests performed and compliance to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of each batch of product.

ESCO source
write technical reports

Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.

ESCO source