Engineering ServicesISCO 3116
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.
Check yourself in a minute: chemical engineering technician
Rate 5 of the 23 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
ensure compliance with environmental legislation
perform laboratory tests
translate formulae into processes
execute analytical mathematical calculations
use ICT systems
About chemical engineering technician
As a chemical engineering technician in Poland, you play a critical role in transforming raw materials into finished chemical products that meet strict quality and safety standards. Your day-to-day work involves conducting laboratory tests, running simulations, calibrating equipment, and translating complex chemical formulas into scalable production processes. You collaborate closely with chemical engineers to troubleshoot production issues, optimize plant operations, and ensure all work complies with environmental legislation and safety protocols. You maintain meticulous records of experimental data and contribute to the development of greener, more efficient chemical processes that reduce environmental impact. This role is essential for Poland's growing chemical manufacturing sector, which spans pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, detergents, and industrial chemicals. Career prospects are solid, with opportunities to advance into supervisory roles, quality assurance management, or specialized areas like green chemistry and sustainability.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a chemical engineering technician.
1
Laboratory Testing and Analysis
- Perform routine chemical tests on raw materials and finished products using calibrated laboratory equipment
- Analyse experimental data and document results in standardized laboratory notebooks and digital systems
- Run laboratory simulations to validate chemical processes before scaling to production
- Calibrate precision measuring instruments to ensure accuracy of test results
2
Production Process Optimization
- Translate chemical formulas and theoretical processes into practical production procedures
- Monitor chemical reactions and production parameters to identify deviations from specifications
- Execute analytical mathematical calculations to determine chemical concentrations and process yields
- Collaborate with engineers to troubleshoot production issues and implement improvements
3
Safety and Compliance Management
- Apply safety procedures when handling hazardous chemicals and maintain appropriate protective equipment
- Ensure all chemical processes comply with environmental legislation and waste disposal regulations
- Conduct quality assurance testing to verify products meet established standards
- Maintain risk management protocols and report any safety incidents or chemical exposures
4
Equipment Maintenance and ICT Systems
- Maintain and service laboratory equipment including analysers, reactors, and measuring instruments
- Use ICT systems to record, track, and manage laboratory data and chemical inventory
- Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and coordinate repairs with maintenance teams
5
Green Chemistry and Sustainability
- Evaluate and implement green chemistry principles to reduce chemical waste and environmental impact
- Develop and test alternative chemical processes that use fewer hazardous materials
- Document sustainability metrics and participate in continuous improvement initiatives
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (23)
production processesproduction processesMaterials and techniques required in the production and distribution processes.engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.risk managementrisk managementThe 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 method...oxidationoxidationOxidation 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.laboratory techniqueslaboratory techniquesTechniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.green chemistrygreen chemistryThe 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 genera...quality assurance methodologiesquality assurance methodologiesQuality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.ensure compliance with environmental legislationensure compliance with environmental legislationMonitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation....perform laboratory testsperform laboratory testsCarry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.translate formulae into processestranslate formulae into processesTranslate, by means of computer models and simulations, the specific laboratory formulae and findings into production processes.execute analytical mathematical calculationsexecute analytical mathematical calculationsApply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.use ICT systemsuse ICT systemsSelect and use ICT systems for a variety of complex tasks in order to meet a variety of needs.perform product testingperform product testingTest processed workpieces or products for basic faults.run laboratory simulationsrun laboratory simulationsRun simulations on prototypes, systems or newly developed chemical products using laboratory equipment.apply safety procedures in laboratoryapply safety procedures in laboratoryMake 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 equipmentcalibrate laboratory equipmentCalibrate 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....work safely with chemicalswork safely with chemicalsTake the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.collaborate with engineerscollaborate with engineersWork closely and communicate with engineers on designs or new products.analyse experimental laboratory dataanalyse experimental laboratory dataAnalyse experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.test chemical samplestest chemical samplesPerform 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 schem...determine production feasibilitydetermine production feasibilityDetermine if a product or its components can be produced by applying engineering principles.prepare chemical samplesprepare chemical samplesPrepare 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.chemistrychemistryThe 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 fa...
Optional (29) — show
corrosion typescorrosion typesThe various types of oxidation reactions with the environment, such as rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others.hazardous waste typeshazardous waste typesThe 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 energynuclear energyThe 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 ...energy efficiencyenergy efficiencyField 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 dem...inorganic chemistryinorganic chemistryThe chemistry of substances that do not contain hydrocarbon radicals.computational chemistrycomputational chemistryThe branch of chemistry that aims at addressing complex chemical problems through computer simulations.radiation protectionradiation protectionThe measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.hazardous waste storagehazardous waste storageThe regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.use chromatography softwareuse chromatography softwareUse the chromatography data system software which collects and analyses the chromatography detectors results.maintain nuclear reactorsmaintain nuclear reactorsRepair 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 equipmentmaintain laboratory equipmentClean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.dispose of hazardous wastedispose of hazardous wasteDispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.manage health and safety standardsmanage health and safety standardsOversee 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 laboratoriescommunicate with external laboratoriesCommunicate with the external analytical laboratories in order to manage the required external testing process.assess hydrogen production technologiesassess hydrogen production technologiesCompare technological and economic characteristics of different options to produce hydrogen. This includes comparing sources (natural gas, water and electricity, biomass, coal) and related technologie...identify hazards in the workplaceidentify hazards in the workplacePerform safety audits and inspections on workplaces and workplace equipment. Ensure that they meet safety regulations and identify hazards and risks.supervise laboratory operationssupervise laboratory operationsSupervise 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 corrosionrecognise signs of corrosionRecognise 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 documentationarchive scientific documentationStore 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 th...recommend product improvementsrecommend product improvementsRecommend product modifications, new features or accessories to keep customers interested.write batch record documentationwrite batch record documentationWrite 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.execute feasibility study on hydrogenexecute feasibility study on hydrogenPerform 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 e...keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.set production facilities standardsset production facilities standardsEnsure 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 ...analyse production processes for improvementanalyse production processes for improvementAnalyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.maintain chromotography machinerymaintain chromotography machineryMaintain the machinery used in chromatographic methodologies by executing small repairs and escalating the problems that are related to the machinery manufacturer.control productioncontrol productionPlan, 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.analytical chemistryanalytical chemistryInstruments and methods used to separate, identify and quantify matter-the chemical components of natural and artificial materials and solutions.schedule productionschedule productionSchedule the production aiming maximum profitability while still maintaining the company KPIs in cost, quality, service and innovation.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a chemical engineering technician do?
Chemical engineering technicians transform raw materials in order to develop and test chemical products. They also work on improving chemical plant operations and processes.
What skills does a chemical engineering technician need?
A chemical engineering technician needs 23 essential skills, including production processes, engineering principles, risk management, oxidation, laboratory techniques.
Will AI replace chemical engineering technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for chemical engineering technician is 62/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: archive scientific documentation, keep records of work progress, execute analytical mathematical calculations. Most resilient: collaborate with engineers, dispose of hazardous waste, apply safety procedures in laboratory.
AI Replacement Risk
62/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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SectorEngineering Services
ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills23
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