Petrochemical Product Development Engineer
せきゆかがくせいひんかいはつぎじゅつしゃ
Industry & Occupation
Classification
- Major : Research and Technical Occupations
- Middle : Development Engineers
- Minor : Chemical Product Development Engineers
Summary
Technical job that researches and develops new products such as plastics, synthetic fibers, synthetic rubber, and chemicals by processing petroleum-derived raw materials through chemical reactions and separation processes.
Description
Petrochemical product development engineers design and optimize chemical reaction processes using petroleum or naphtha as raw materials, and are responsible for developing plastics, synthetic rubber, synthetic fibers, and functional chemicals. After conducting synthesis experiments and catalyst evaluations at the laboratory level, they verify processes in pilot plants, collaborate with plant design teams, and promote scale-up while considering the balance of quality, cost, and safety. Product evaluation using analytical instruments (GC, HPLC, mass spectrometry, etc.) and model construction utilizing process simulation are also important tasks. In response to environmental regulations and sustainability, research applying biomass-derived raw materials and recycling technologies is also advancing.
Future Outlook
Against the backdrop of increasing environmental regulations and a focus on sustainability, research on bio-based chemicals and recycling technologies is being strengthened. Amid the shift from traditional petrochemicals to green chemicals, the demand for engineers handling process innovation and digitalization is expected to remain stable and expand.
Personality Traits
Has cooperativeness / Has curiosity or inquisitiveness / Has logical thinking / Has patience
Work Style
Discretionary Labor System / Domestic and International Business Trips / Institute Employment / Lab Pilot Plant / Team Projects
Career Path
Researcher → Chief Researcher → Research Group Leader → Technical Manager → R&D Director
Required Skills
Analytical Instrument Operation / Process Development / Process Simulation Software Operation / Reaction Engineering and Heat Engineering / Synthetic Chemistry Techniques
Recommended Skills
Catalyst Design / Data Analysis / English Paper Reading / Plant Simulation
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Analytical & Logical Thinking | The ability to logically analyze and optimize the behavior of chemical reactions and processes is essential. |
| Attention to Detail & Accuracy | Because trace impurities or changes in conditions can have a significant impact. |
| Creativity & Ideation | Idea generation and design for new catalysts and high-performance materials are required. |
| Learning Agility & Knowledge Acquisition | It is necessary to continually acquire the latest knowledge to respond to new technologies and regulations. |
| Problem Solving | The ability to quickly resolve issues arising in experiments and scale-up is necessary. |
Aptitudes (Weaknesses Acceptable)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Physical Stamina & Endurance | Mainly indoor experiments and desk work, with little heavy labor. |
Related Qualifications
- Analytical Technology Manager
- Chemical Engineering Technician
- Hazardous Materials Handler (Class B)
- Professional Engineer (Chemical Division)
Aliases
- Petrochemical Engineer
- Petrochemical Product Development Engineer
- Polymer Material Development Engineer
Related Jobs
- Catalyst Development Engineer
- Petroleum Refining Engineer
- Process Development Engineer