Top Soft Skills Needed for Chemical Engineering Jobs

Chemical engineering jobs require aspiring candidates to come equipped with a diverse skill set to hit the ground running and tackle the various tasks and responsibilities of the role. Due to the diversity of the chemical industry, from petrochemical engineering to energy, biotechnology, manufacturing and pharmaceutical, chemical engineers pursuing careers within these niche areas should possess a broad range of qualities.

Whether you’re applying for entry-level or senior chemical jobs, your future employer will expect you to offer a combination of technical engineering skills and experience, as well as soft skills such as problem-solving, analytical thinking and interpersonal skills.  

Employers want to see if you have the credentials to navigate the challenges that accompany the position while being able to innovate for your business and the wider chemical industry. But what traits are they looking for, and what are the top skills for chemical engineering jobs? 

In this blog, we’ll answer the above question by exploring the top soft chemical engineering skills you should prioritise.

1. Analytical Skills

Analytical skills are among the top skills needed for chemical engineering jobs. An analytical mindset combines various traits, including logical and critical thinking and data analysis. As jobs in chemical engineering require a degree of problem-solving and the ability to find solutions to complex scenarios, being equipped with analytical skills is crucial.

These skills for chemical engineering jobs require talent to identify and detect issues with products and processes. Analytical skills can involve sourcing the primary source of a malfunctioning system or analysing datasets to determine why the product did not achieve the desired result or outcome. Chemical engineers will use their analytical skills to resolve these issues and develop strategies to optimise products and processes while addressing current industry challenges. 

2. Interpersonal Skills

Technical chemical engineer skills are essential for talent pursuing careers within the industry, but soft skills are just as valuable and considered essential by employers. Interpersonal skills are one of the primary soft skills needed for chemical engineering jobs. These traits involve effectively collaborating and communicating with colleagues and other departments to drive growth for the business.

Chemical jobs often require talent to share ideas and concepts with the wider business to ensure they are feasible and align with the company's goals. Suppose a key stakeholder within the company disagrees with an engineer's concept for a product or process. Here, interpersonal skills allow talent to face internal conflicts and respond to feedback constructively and effectively.    

Interpersonal skills are essential for those who are planning to develop into leadership and management roles. Delivering effective communication and motivating others within the business helps manage and inspire a team of chemical engineers. Additionally, interpersonal skills translate well when communicating complex ideas and data to company stakeholders, external clients, and other internal meetings.

3. Project Management Skills

Project management skills are also important when pursuing a long-term career in engineering - especially for those looking to make themselves more employable and seeking professional growth into leadership and management roles. These skills don't necessarily require specific educational enhancements and can be nurtured by learning from other project managers within the chemical engineering team.

Chemical engineers seeking more responsibility and accountability should learn to manage projects and people in their respective teams. Project management skills require talent to delegate tasks, budgets, and resources effectively. These skills also involve motivating teams and communicating with internal and external stakeholders to outline project briefs, meet deadlines, and set clear expectations and desired outcomes.

4. Math Skills

Aspiring engineers should consider their mathematical expertise one of the top skills needed when applying for chemical jobs. Being proficient in maths applies to various aspects of a chemical engineer's responsibilities, from designing products to analysing processes and resolving problems. It also applies to critical elements of chemical engineering, such as laboratory experiments, thermodynamics, and data analysis. 

Companies hiring talent in chemical engineer jobs will expect candidates to demonstrate their ability to complete basic to complex mathematical models and theories. Math skills are especially applicable to chemical engineering jobs where projects involve thermodynamics, design processes, and laboratory experiments. These mathematical chemical engineer skills can also be useful for calculating resources and budgets for various projects of varying durations and sizes.

5. Problem-solving Skills

A core responsibility of chemical engineering jobs is the ability to problem-solve. As the industry evolves and new ways of working, technologies, and tools arise, so do challenges. Whether troubleshooting equipment issues, improving production process efficiencies, or developing innovative products, chemical engineers must be able to solve various problems.

Problem-solving skills also apply to supporting others in the chemical engineering team who may need help overcoming specific tasks and challenges - especially those new to the business or in entry-level chemical jobs. Additionally, being able to critically evaluate issues and actively present solutions is a critical skill for higher-level positions in supervisory or management positions, operations management, and QA roles.

6. Research Skills

Chemical engineering jobs require innovation and thinking of new ways to improve products and processes. One essential skill that professionals within the industry should acquire is research skills. Research skills allow engineers to think creatively to source new, out-of-the-box ideas that drive progress and longevity for their business and the industry.  

Research skills are among the top skills needed for chemical engineering jobs. They enable engineers to stay updated with the latest industry trends and modern approaches to engineering, including how embracing renewable energy practices can make the company more sustainable.

Additionally, it can involve researching emerging tools and technologies to enhance workflows, troubleshoot issues and analyse data efficiently. Research skills give engineers a greater understanding and wider perspective on the industry.

7. Attention to Detail Skills

Attention to detail relates to the importance of two vital elements of the chemical industry—risk management and quality assurance—which are essential for delivering products and processes.

Regarding safety and risk management, attention to detail skills for chemical engineering jobs involve overseeing processes which involve potentially harmful materials. Chemical engineers must closely monitor potential hazardous incidents and ensure product delivery follows strict safety processes. Doing so can mitigate various risk factors and protect colleagues and customers from issues with the products or processes that could negatively impact them.

For quality assurance, having attention to detail is essential for ensuring production processes are consistent and meet the necessary internal and regulatory quality standards. With attention to detail skills, chemical engineers can identify inaccuracies and anomalies in the production process and ensure these are addressed before they negatively impact the reputation and finances of a company and before the products are delivered to the customer. 

Tips for Developing These Chemical Engineering Skills

There are many opportunities for aspiring talent who are either looking to start or develop their career in chemical engineering. Science, analytical, and research skills are the primary focus of engineering roles and are demonstrated by a candidate's qualifications and experience. 

Education and training are among the most common methods of developing these skills. Still, it's also possible to demonstrate good working science, analytical, and research skills through developing side projects, researching and writing whitepapers or blogs, or taking further skills development courses. This education and training ensure candidates can demonstrate to employers that they are willing to learn and grow.

Developing project management skills is also available through education, but another promising avenue is volunteering. This volunteering can be achieved by working on projects directly related to the chemical industry, even if a candidate is still seeking work or is currently in education. 

Other routes to volunteering come through joining relevant clubs or taking jobs that require these highly transferrable skills. Volunteering will also positively impact your CV and make you more employable. 

While an education in chemical engineering is the core of a chemical engineer's skill set, developing the transferrable skills needed for success in the industry can be learned and developed anywhere. Interpersonal skills, problem-solving, and attention to detail can be demonstrated in any successful project. 

This evidence can come from contributing to successful projects during study, internships, or projects in other roles. Existing chemical engineers looking to change their field can lean on previous experience to demonstrate leadership, project management, science, design or technology skills, filling in the remaining job requirements through retraining and further education.

Final Thoughts on the Top Chemical Engineer Skills

The top skills for chemical engineering jobs involve diverse technical and soft skills. From abilities such as logical thinking, mathematical ability, problem-solving ability and a track record of continual learning, to people management, interpersonal, and the ability to function as part of a team, being equipped with these traits is essential for a successful career in the industry and overcoming its various challenges.

As the industry evolves with new tech advancements, developing the most in-demand soft skills is crucial for professionals aspiring to progress in chemical engineering careers. From troubleshooting complex problems to preparing innovative solutions or managing projects and teams, a vast skill set allows chemical engineers to tackle challenges head-on and drive continuous progress and growth within the industry.

Obtaining these skills involves a combination of educational background and on-the-job learning. Prioritising your development of these top skills needed for chemical engineering jobs will line you up for success in your career in the industry.

Looking for the Latest Chemical Engineering Jobs?

If you’ve got the skills needed for chemical engineering jobs and want to kickstart or advance your career in the industry, we can help. With over two decades of experience in the global market, our specialist consultants are well-versed in connecting passionate talent to the world’s best contract and permanent chemical jobs. 

Contact us today to see how our NES Fircroft can help you achieve your career goals.