Process engineer

Process engineer

Sample Subheading

Also known as: ["Process development engineer", "process development scientist", "bioprocess engineer", "manufacturing engineer", "operations engineer", "production engineer"]

Process engineers design, implement, and optimize systems that drive industrial production forward. They improve efficiency, ensure safety, and boost product quality, whether in manufacturing, chemical processing, or pharmaceuticals. From refining workflows to solving production challenges, their work shapes smarter, more sustainable operations across a range of industries.

Duties

  • Assess process safety Research safety issues by inspecting systems. You’ll gather data on risks and suggest improvements.
  • Prepare reports & summaries Analyze data and compile reports. You’ll research findings, organize results, and share conclusions.
  • Optimize production systems Research system performance to find inefficiencies. You’ll collect data and suggest improvements to boost productivity.
  • Conduct research and analysis Perform research experiments to solve problems. You’ll test ideas, collect data, and analyze outcomes.
  • Improve technology used in production Research and adapt tools, systems, or equipment to improve production processes. You’ll test designs, integrate new technologies, and ensure they meet safety standards.

Education

Minimum qualification: Bachelor’s degree

Most common program: Engineering

Process engineer - Engineering

A mindmap-style diagram shows both typical and alternative pathways to enter into this role. It maps out different education and career steps, with routes that intersect. Select each step in the diagram to learn more.

Salary

  • Entry level: 80000
  • Mid level: 100000
  • Senior level: 120000

Job outlook

Job openings: 1400

Demand: Steady growth

  • Companies are using automation to cut costs , relying on experts to design and implement systems. (A survey found 70% of companies plan to invest in automation, emphasizing the increased demand.)
  • With sustainability growing, eco-friendly systems are designed to reduce waste and energy use. (The global green technology market will reach $36.6B by 2025 , increasing the number of open roles.)
  • Various sectors prioritize efficiency and cost reduction, increasing demand. (70% of manufacturers focus on efficiency improvements, leading to an increase in hiring.)

Quote

What motivated you to choose this field of work? The ability to be able to work on and impact several disease areas over the course of a career. And being at the cross-section of manufacturing, operations, research, and development is exciting.

Ngoni Madungwe, PhD, Process development principal scientist

Read Valery's story

As a process engineer, Valery ensures that medicines made with living cells are produced safely and efficiently. She monitors cell cultures to track metabolite levels, which show how healthy and productive the cells are. By analyzing this data, she helps optimize bioprocesses, adjusting factors like nutrients and temperature, to improve yield and maintain high-quality standards.

Learn more

Sources

, Abbott. (2021, February). Follow the journey of an entry-level engineer. , AIChE. (2023, February). Women in process engineering. , Bain & Company. (2023, October 11). AI and automation accelerating rapid large-scale business change across multiple sectors—Bain & Company and UiPath survey. , EngineerGirl. (2024). Delia Contreras. , Glassdoor. (2024, June 6). Process engineer salary. , GlobeNewswire. (2022, October 3). Green technology and sustainability market worth $36.6 billion by 2025: Report by MarketsandMarkets. , Massachusetts Bay Community College. (2024). Engineering at MassBay. , Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. (n.d.). Massachusetts career connected learning framework (MCCLF). , O*NET Online. (2024). Process engineers: Summary report for 17-2031.00. , Prime BPM. (2024, May 29). A deep dive into continuous process improvement: Best practices and strategies. , University of Massachusetts Amherst. (2024). Biochemical engineering concentration curriculum. , University of Massachusetts Amherst. (2024). Curriculum for B.S. in chemical engineering. , University of Massachusetts Amherst. (2024). Curriculum for B.S. in industrial engineering.