College of Engineering / Career Development and Corporate Relations / Engineering Pathways / Chemical Engineering
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Chemical Engineers are trained to use chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering principles to solve real-world problems, whether they involve energy, medicine, nanotechnology or sustainability. They develop, design, and control processes and products that involve molecular change.
Auburn Department of Chemical Engineering
Auburn Chemical Engineering Alumni Council
Explore characteristics of Chemical Engineering careers
SAMPLE JOB TITLES
Refining Chemical Engineer
Minimum Education: B.Ch.E.
Entry Level Salary Range: $60K - $100K
Average Entry Level Salary: $78K
Process Engineer
Minimum Education: B.Ch.E.
Entry Level Salary Range: $55 - $100K
Average Entry Level Salary: $72K
Petroleum Engineer
Minimum Education: B.Ch.E.
Entry Level Salary Range: $56K - $111K
Average Entry Level Salary: $87K
*Salary ranges and averages refer to entry level roles in the United States provided by Glassdoor.com and PayScale.com.
What do employees do in these roles? Search job descriptions and qualifications in Handshake in the Jobs section!
PRO TIP: Click on the filters button. Rather than searching a specific job title, consider keeping your search broad by making filter selections in the "Job Function" category.
For example: Operations / Production, Quality Assurance, Product / Project Management, Engineering: Civil / Mechanical / Other, Consulting, Environmental Sustainability / Management.
RECRUITING COMPANIES
- BASF
- Chevron
- Dow
- Emerson
- ExxonMobil
- Eastman Chemical
- Evonik
- Georgia Pacific
- International Paper
- Maverick
- Nalco
- SABIC
- Southern Company
This list is a sampling of companies, not reflective of all organizations who recruit AU Chemical Engineers.
NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
- American Chemical Society
- National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)
- Paper Industry Management Association (PIMA)
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
- Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
- National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NBCChE)
- Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI)
ALUMNI STORIES
- Brian Sullivan, ’07 I Otolaryngologist – Head & Neck Surgeon I Premier Medical
- Cari Parker, ’86 I Vice President of Advanced Materials & Fibers Manufacturing I Eastman Chemical
- Catlin Tench, ’06 I Production Capability Leader I SABIC
- Cindy Green I Chief Sales & Marketing Officer I DuPont Company
- John McCracken, ’08 I Project Engineer I ExxonMobil
- Josh Thompson, ’08 I Research Engineer I Chevron
- Laura Kezar, ’08 I Lead Construction Engineer I Chevron
- Ken Averitte, ‘96 I Vice President of Business Development I Cornerstone Industries, Inc.
- Key Warren, ’98 I Operations Shift Manager I Plant Alvin W Vogtle
- Metrick Houser, ’93 I Director of Energy & Raw Materials I International Paper
- Shirley Boulware, ’91 I Manufacturing Recruiting Manager I Georgia Pacific
BUILD YOUR RESUME
HIGHLIGHTS
- Develop key Career Readiness skills
- Join AIChE, NBCChE, TAPPI, and/or other professional student organizations related to your interests
- If you are considering a career in the health professions, schedule an appointment with an Advisor in the Pre-Health Advising Office. Consider joining Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) or other pre-health student organizations
- Get to know alumni and professionals in your area of career interest
- Attend the Engineering and Technology Career Fair and/or the Graduate and Professional School Fair
- Gain experience through internships, co-op, volunteer opportunities, and/or part-time jobs
- Gain research experience by working on faculty projects or as a student employee
