Process engineer

As a process engineer you will study the way raw materials are used in the manufacturing process, and how they eventually form the finished product. You will help to develop new processes and improve existing ones.

Work activities

Process engineers help to develop new processes and improve existing ones. Products you could be working with include:

• Cars.
• Food.
• Glass.
• Green energies.
• Healthcare products.
• Paints.
• Plastics.

Your role will be very varied as you take control of the whole manufacturing process, from the very start to the finished product.

Your duties could include:

• The design and installation of new or improved manufacturing systems.
• Using data analysis tools to help you analyse new and current systems.
• Undertaking laboratory-based quality checks, to make sure everything performs as it should.
• Carrying out laboratory and production-line based safety and environmental tests.
• Creating documentation, supporting the new systems and processes.
• Communicating and explaining proposed changes to the management team.
• Supporting and training other engineers.
• Working with many different departments, including production, planning and design.

Personal qualities and skills

As a process engineer, you’ll need:

• IT skills, including the use of simulation and manufacturing systems software.
• Network design skills.
• System testing skills.
• To be willing to keep up to date with advances in technology in this fast-changing area.
• The ability to work to strict deadlines.
• Problem solving skills.
• The ability to lead a team of engineers.
• Personal skills – you will need to be creative and able to solve problems.
• Good communications skills, including the ability to explain technical and complex ideas clearly, so that non-technical people can understand.

You might have responsibility for a team of engineers, so the ability to motivate and encourage others will be an advantage. You will need to be well-organised because may be asked to plan and carry out several different tasks at the same time, and so you will need to prioritise.

You will need to work carefully with people from different areas of the business, including management, design and production.  

Pay and opportunities

According the jobs site Payscale (November 2023), process engineers can earn in the range of £26,000 and £48,000, with the average salary around £34,000.

You will work a full-time week, Monday to Friday. Occasional late finishes and weekend work may be required.

Employers include manufacturing firms in the following industries:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Chemical
• Food and drink
• Renewable energy

Being a process engineer can lead to you working anywhere in the world.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, trade industry publications, and on the Government’s Find a Job and Find an Apprenticeship services. Vacancies can also be found through specialist engineering recruitment sites.

Entry routes and training 

Most employers require you to have an HND, HNC or a degree before you become a process engineer. HNDs, HNCs and degrees in relevant subjects are available at many universities. In order to get onto one of these courses, you will usually need at least two A-levels.

There are a number of apprenticeship options in this role:

• Tool process design engineer (level 6 / higher)
• Science industry process and plant engineer (level 6 / degree)
• Materials process engineer (level 7 / degree)

Depending on their qualification, Process Engineers can progress by taking on more responsibility for the management of engineering projects and teams of engineers. Some engineers choose to become self-employed or take contract work on a freelance basis.

Qualifications

To enter a relevant degree course, the usual requirements are:

• Two to three A-levels, usually including chemistry.
• GCSEs in your A-level subjects at grades 9-4.
• A further two to three GCSEs at grades 9-4.

English, maths and chemistry subject are usually required at GCSE at grades 9-4.

To get onto a higher or degree apprenticeship, you will typically need two relevant A-levels/equivalent and GCSEs in English and maths.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Many people enter this career after gaining relevant skills, and perhaps qualifications, in a related area such as:

• Chemical process industry.
• Manufacturing engineering.
• Mechanical engineering.
• Pharmaceuticals.
• Production engineering.

Technical experience is highly valued in this career.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (e.g. Access to Engineering) could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Related careers

• Manufacturing engineer
• Production engineer
• Quality engineer
• Service delivery manager
• Test engineer