2431 Chemical and Materials Engineering Professionals
2431 Chemical and Materials Engineering Professionals
Design and prepare specifications for chemical process systems and the construction and operation of commercial-scale chemical plants, supervise industrial processing and fabrication of products undergoing physical and chemical change, develop and provide advice on processes used to extract metals from their ores, investigate the properties of metals, ceramics, polymers and other materials, and assess and develop their engineering and commercial applications.
OSCA skill level
The occupations in this unit group have a skill level corresponding to the qualifications and experience below.
- Skill Level 1: Bachelor Degree, higher qualification, or at least five years of relevant experience
243131 Chemical Engineer
Designs and develops chemical process systems, equipment and specifications for the construction and operation of chemical plants and commercial-scale production, including transportation of chemicals, materials and energy. Supervises industrial processing and fabrication of products undergoing physical and chemical changes.
Registration or licensing may be required.
Specialisations
- Process Control Engineer
- Process Engineer (Chemical)
Skill level: 1
Main tasks
- Researches, designs, develops and improves chemical processes, process systems, reactions and materials
- Identifies ways to optimise performance of chemical equipment and processes while ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations
- Develops operating procedures, safety protocols and methods to deal with by-products and waste materials, and troubleshoots problems with chemical manufacturing processes
- Collaborates with plant designers to develop chemical plant specifications, equipment and control instruments for the production process
- Supervises the fabrication and installation of equipment and systems for chemical processes and transportation
- Monitors and analyses data from processes, and conducts research and experiments to develop new chemical processes and improve existing ones
- Provides technical support and guidance to staff involved in chemical processes and plant operations
- May use computer models to identify cost-effective production methods while minimising risks
243132 Extractive Metallurgist
Researches, develops, tests, controls and provides advice on processes used in extracting metals from their ores, and processes used for casting, alloying or heat treating metals to produce commercial products or develop new alloys, techniques and processes.
Physical metallurgists and welding engineers are excluded from this occupation. Physical metallurgists and welding engineers are included in Occupation 243133 Materials Engineer.
Skill level: 1
Main tasks
- Applies physical and chemical methods to separate and concentrate valuable minerals and metals from ores
- Designs process flowsheets and metallurgical plant processes used to extract metals and minerals from ores
- Manages process, metallurgical, smelter and refinery plant operational performance
- Produces metal and mineral concentrates, and refined or alloyed metals for market
- Analyses, develops, produces and improves the quality and purity of metals and alloys
- Develops and improves control methods to store and treat waste material produced in extractive metallurgical processes
243133 Materials Engineer
Investigates the properties of metals, ceramics, polymers and other materials to assess and develop their engineering and commercial applications, such as in the design of composite materials, corrosion resistance and protection, and welding and fabrication.
Registration or licensing may be required.
Specialisations
- Corrosion Engineer
- Materials Welding Engineer
- Physical Metallurgist
Skill level: 1
Main tasks
- Researches and analyses the properties of various materials to produce new composite materials
- Tests materials under different conditions to examine their properties and behaviour to determine their use in various applications or in the development of new technologies
- Analyses the results of laboratory testing on faulty materials to determine the causes of material defects and develop solutions
- Studies the performance of materials to evaluate their deterioration rate under different conditions and identify main factors contributing to degradation
- Produces cost estimates and analyses the feasibility of using different materials in engineering projects
- Conducts analysis on welds to identify welding issues, associated risks, and provide or develop solutions and appropriate mitigation methods