Process Development Engineer

Process Development Engineers create, develop, and investigate manufacturing processes for new products and processes. These engineers have a strong technical and scientific background, and are able to apply their knowledge to the development and implementation of new processes.

Education and Background

Process Development Engineers typically have a bachelor's degree in engineering, in addition to a background in chemistry, physics, or a related field. They may also have a master's degree in engineering, or a related field.

Skills

Process Development Engineers should have the following skills:

• Knowledge of chemical engineering processes
• Strong understanding of mathematics and statistics
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Licensing and Certifications

Process Development Engineers may need to obtain licensure or certification, such as the Professional Engineer (PE) license or Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) certification.

Career Growth

Process Development Engineers can advance to management positions, such as Production Manager or Plant Manager. They may also move into research and development roles, or become consultants.

Transferable Skills

Process Development Engineers can transfer their skills to a variety of other careers, such as:

• Project Manager
• Quality Engineer
• Manufacturing Engineer
• Chemical Engineer
• R&D Engineer

Day-to-Day

Process Development Engineers typically work in a laboratory or manufacturing setting. They may be involved in the following activities:

• Developing and testing new processes
• Troubleshooting and resolving process problems
• Optimizing existing processes
• Collaborating with other engineers and scientists
• Writing reports and making presentations

Challenges

Process Development Engineers may face the following challenges:

• Tight deadlines
• Complex and demanding projects
• Working with hazardous materials
• Troubleshooting complex problems
• Meeting regulatory requirements

Projects

Process Development Engineers may work on a variety of projects, such as:

• Developing new manufacturing processes for a new product
• Troubleshooting and resolving a production problem
• Optimizing an existing process to improve efficiency or quality
• Conducting research and development on new technologies
• Writing reports and making presentations on process development

Personal Growth

Process Development Engineers can experience personal growth in the following areas:

• Technical skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Business skills

Personality Traits

Process Development Engineers typically have the following personality traits:

• Analytical
• Detail-oriented
• Problem-solver
• Communicator
• Leader

Self-Guided Projects

Students can complete the following self-guided projects to better prepare themselves for a career as a Process Development Engineer:

• Design and build a small-scale chemical plant
• Troubleshoot and resolve a problem with a chemical process
• Optimize an existing chemical process
• Write a report on a chemical process development project
• Make a presentation on a chemical process development project

Online Courses

Online courses can be a helpful way to learn about the principles of process development. These courses can provide learners with the knowledge and skills needed to develop and implement new processes. Online courses can also help learners to prepare for licensure or certification.

Online courses typically include lecture videos, projects, assignments, quizzes, exams, discussions, and interactive labs. These courses can be completed at the learner's own pace, and are a flexible way to learn about process development.

While online courses alone may not be enough to prepare someone for a career as a Process Development Engineer, they can be a helpful learning tool to bolster the chances of success for entering this career.