Chemical engineering technician
Work with chemical engineers on the research, development and manufacturing of products.
About the job
What it's like
You would work with chemical engineers on the research, development and manufacture of products such as plastics, medicines, foods, textiles and fuel.
Depending on which part of a plant you work in, your tasks might include:
helping design, build or install production plant equipment
carrying out laboratory experiments to develop new products
checking production processes, using measuring and control instruments
recording data and make adjustments to machinery
doing maintenance checks and make repairs
making sure safety procedures are followed
doing quality control checks.
With experience, you could work as a shift manager and supervise chemical plant process workers.
Green job
In this job you could be doing work to help the environment. You could be:
developing alternative fuels like hydrogen
developing more eco-friendly products, for example ones that use less or no plastic
improving production processes to reduce carbon emissions
Hours
You would normally work between 37 and 40 hours a week. In research and development, you might work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional overtime. In processing and manufacturing, you might work on a shift system that includes weekends, evenings and nights.
Environment
You could be based in a laboratory, office or process plant.
Travel
In the mineral processing or oil exploration industries, you might be based in remote parts of the world for the duration of a contract.
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Engineering and manufacturing Energy Chemical sciences
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- chilled water
- process architecture
- conveyor systems
- human machine interfaces
- sensors
- valves (piping)
- supervisory control and data acquisition (scada)
- programmable logic controllers
- maintenance engineering
- sap applications
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- analysing
- developing a plan
- filtering
- attention to detail
- researching
- working with numbers
- problem solving
- evaluating
- working with technology
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Foundation Apprenticeship: Automotive
Chemistry
Design and Manufacture
Engineering Science
Physics
Practical Electronics
Skills for Work: Engineering Skills
Skills for Work: Laboratory Science
Foundation Apprenticeship: Engineering
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
A Modern Apprenticeship with a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Engineering (SVQ level 3/4), Oil and Gas Production (SVQ level 3) or Gas Industry (SVQ level 2/3) such as:
Process Operations Modern Apprenticeship
Oil & Gas Production Modern Apprenticeship
Engineering Modern Apprenticeship
A Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) such as Engineering, Applied Chemistry or Engineering technologies to enter as a trainee.
Entry requirements vary but many employers ask for qualifications at SCQF levels 4 to 6 when applying to a Modern Apprenticeship.
You can enter some National Certificate or National Qualification courses (SCQF 2 to 6) with no formal qualifications but most courses ask for National 4/5 qualifications (SCQF level 4/5).
You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
Qualifications that demonstrate understanding and experience of the industry such as Skills for Work Engineering Skills (SCQF level 5).
Once in a job with further training, you could qualify as a chemical engineer. Training could include a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or degree (SCQF level 9/10) in chemical engineering, applied chemistry or engineering technologies.
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