How to Become a Polymer Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as Polymer Engineers are involved in the designing and engineering of polymers that include household products that include water bottles, and containers. They develop materials used in making automobiles, and industrial piping Polymer Engineers work full-time in the laboratory. Sometimes they are required to work overtime to meet deadlines. The Polymer Engineers supervise the production process of plastic and other polymers. Plastic molders and technicians work under the supervision of polymer engineers. A Polymer Engineer's work involves developing new polymers, designing equipment for polymer processing, project engineering, and process management. 

A polymer engineer job description is to assemble and manage the laboratory. He or she stays involved in testing and evaluating products. Individuals who opt for a career as Polymer Engineer coordinate the studies design new substances and optimizes the processes involved in developing polymers. A Polymer Engineer works in several fields such as thermoplastics, elastomers, thermosets and other types of polymers. A polymer engineer may work as more advanced roles such as technical specialists, sales, or management. So how to become a polymer engineer and what does it takes to become one?

Designing

A polymer engineer designs the products. He or she ensures the durability, higher strength, and aesthetic shape of the products. A polymer engineer chooses materials from a wide range of available polymers. He or she is responsible for designing the molds. A polymer engineer ensures that it functions properly.

Processing

The role of polymer engineer is to decide on the appropriate processing methods for developing polymer products. He or she conducts testing to study and analyze the properties and characteristics of polymers. On the basis of analysis, he or she prepares technical reports.

Coordination

A polymer engineer is responsible for coordinating with senior development engineers. He or she is responsible for implementing new products and providing support to all new applications in coordination with senior development engineers. A polymer engineer manages multiple development programmes and utilizes various processing techniques that require effective coordination with the whole team.

Analysis

A polymer engineer is responsible for analyzing the data for technical management and customers. He or she investigates the various polymer processes and recommends them. He or she is responsible for ensuring safe lab operations and efficiency. He or she maintains the improvement policies.

Monitoring

A polymer engineer is responsible for monitoring the issues raised by customers. He or she assists to identify and resolve such issues. A polymer engineer assists senior engineers to develop a resolution for all the issues. A polymer engineer recommends improvements to all the materials for efficient polymer processes.

There are several types of a polymer engineer. We have provided below several types of a polymer engineer or polymer engineer career options with varying titles and job responsibilities.

Material Engineer: A material engineer is responsible for planning and developing processes to create polymers. He or she works with materials such as plastics and metals as per the specifications of the product.

Chemical Engineer: A chemical engineer is involved in the production of chemicals. He or she applies the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and maths to develop chemicals, drugs, food products, and other related products. A chemical engineer plans and designs processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing.  

Process Engineer: A process engineer is responsible for developing chemical processes. He or she is responsible for supervising the safe handling of chemicals and equipment during testing. Process engineers work in a lab setting.  

Optic Fibre Engineer: An optic fiber engineer is responsible for the installation of broadband telecommunications cables. A fiber-optic engineer installs and tests cables. He or she makes sure that the cables are functioning properly. He or she performs maintenance checks to avoid any malfunctioning.

Energy Performance Engineer: As an energy performance engineer, you will be responsible for various tasks such as designing, developing, and building renewable energy technologies, combining renewable energy production with existing power systems, arranging new supplies and negotiating tariffs with fuel suppliers, carrying out site inspections and energy surveys. He or she is also required to design and select equipment and use mathematical and computer modeling techniques to achieve designs and specifications. 

Electrical power engineer: Individuals who opt for a career as electrical power engineers are professionals who carry out regular research along with maintaining systems of existing electrical power plants. It is the responsibility of electrical power engineers to enforce procedures for the safe functioning of an electrical power plant and to dispose of electrical waste. Individuals who opt for a career as an electrical power engineer develop methods, instruments, and systems to harness the power of electrical energy and radiation. 

By now you must have understood what is Polymer Engineer and what is polymer engineering, read further to know more about How to become a Polymer Engineer? A career as Polymer Engineer involves staying in the designing and development of a wide variety of plastic and other polymer products. His or her work includes studying the properties of molecules of polymers and developing new products as per the product specifications. He or she makes plastic from oil. 

Polymer Engineer work environment is based in a lab setting, office, or processing plant. With the progression in his or her career, a Polymer engineer may move from lab to processing plant. A Polymer Engineer is responsible for the safe handling of chemicals. He or she is responsible for hygiene in food and drink production and water treatment.

A Polymer Engineer wears protective clothing to ensure safety from harmful gases and chemicals. There is a wide range of jobs available for polymer engineers in petrochemical, polymer, and other industries.  Traveling in this career as Polymer Engineer entirely depends on the requirements of the company. It may require you to travel overseas if you are working in global manufacturing or consulting company

Does Polymer Engineer require travelling?

Not Likely

No, a career as Polymer Engineer does not require traveling outdoors. A Polymer Engineer may occasionally travel to attend meetings and conferences. 

Employment Shifts

Full Time, Part Time

The work of Polymer Engineer is from early morning to late evening. He or she works 40 hours a week a polymer engineer works full time. Polymer Engineer employment opportunities do not exist for on-call or hourly basis work shifts. 

Employment Nature

Contractual, Permanent

Polymer Engineer employment opportunities come with both types of employment permanent and contractual in nature. Aspirants can locate such opportunities as per their requirements through recruitment websites such as Glassdoor, Indeed, Naukri.in, and others. He or she may apply filters for accurate results for their Polymer Engineer job search. 

Work Place

A Polymer Engineer can be assigned to work in any part of the world as it involves work in field locations. Chemical plants are generally located away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Presence in Geographical Area

Semi-urban, Urban

A polymer engineering jobs have flourishing opportunities in urban and semi-urban areas. There are negligible opportunities in rural areas due to a lack of industrial development. As far as India is concerned, Odisha is the popular job hub for Polymer Engineers. Odisha has flourished with industrial development projects. It is giving rise to thousands of jobs in the polymer and petrochemical industries. 

Time Pressure

Not Likely

A career as a Polymer engineer usually doesn't require facing any time pressure. They’re required to work in laboratories having air conditioning most of the time. For quite a few instances, they might be required to visit outdoors to collect samples and equipment which might lead to some time pressure. Apart from this, time pressure is rare in the profession.

Overtime Details

Typically in a career as Polymer Engineer, they are required to work 9 hours per day. Polymer Engineers hardly face any overtime working problems. However, occasionally during project deadlines, they might be required to work for long hours under stressful conditions.

Weekly Hours of Work

Min 40 Hours

A Polymer Engineering career involves working in a lab setting. He or she works 8-9 hours a day. A Polymer Engineer works a minimum of 40 hours per week. 

Do you know what are the several requirements to become a polymer engineer? Possessing a specific skill set is one of them besides the educational qualification to become a polymer engineer. 

Mathematical Skills: A polymer engineer requires to calculate the numerical values while testing and studying the materials and his or her characteristics. He or she has to ensure the accurate measures of materials used in polymer processing. 

Communication Skills: Individuals who opt for a career as Polymer Engineer have to effectively communicate with other members of the team to avoid any kind of confusion or mismanagement. He or she must have verbal and written communication skills. A polymer engineer has to coordinate with senior engineers and often supervise junior technicians. He or she has to recommend improvements and document the polymer processes. 

Knowledge of Chemistry: A polymer engineer must possess a strong knowledge of chemistry. He or she has to work with various chemical compounds and treat them. A polymer engineer must know the processes involved in the compound formation and treatment of molecules of the materials. 

Analytical Skills: Individuals who opt for a career as Polymer Engineers have to identify the issues and resolve them. He or she has to conduct the test and analyze the results. A polymer engineer has to identify the properties and characteristics of the materials used in polymer processes

Computer Skills: A polymer engineer must possess knowledge of computer applications. He or she must know how to use CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) software. Effective computer skills are required to design materials and polymer products. 

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We have mentioned below certifications that individuals may opt for who want to establish a career as Polymer Engineers.

We have provided below the list of polymer engineer career options or types of polymer engineer. One can occupy various job roles with varying titles while progressing in the industry with relevant experience in the career as polymer engineer. 

Mold Designers: A mold designer creates plastic mold designs on computer-aided-design (CAD) software. A mold designer works in an office environment. He or she often visits laboratories and processing plants to ensure the designs created by him or she are effective.  

Production Technologists: A production technologist is responsible for ensuring an efficient product development process. He or she is a key innovator and problem solver. A production technologist is involved in the complete production process from concept development to final production. The work responsibilities of a production planner may vary depending on the requirements. He or she may be involved in designing, developing, or constructing machinery for plants or other roles.

Production Planners: A production planner oversees the production process. He or she is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of the process. A production planner’s duties include maintenance of the production process and supervising optimal performance. A Production planner is promoted to progressive roles such as managerial or executive positions. 

Production Engineers: A production engineer is responsible for overseeing the production of goods. A production engineer ensures that the goods are manufactured with the highest quality and efficiency. He or she ensures products are manufactured according to the planned protocols using appropriate technology.

Quality Engineers: A quality engineer is responsible for ensuring the overall quality of the products. He or she is responsible for recording the results of quality tests. He or she prepares a report that includes the criteria for ensuring test results are met. He or she is responsible for documentation of the report with all the necessary information on test results. He or she plays a crucial role in resolving the quality issues of the product.   

Polymer Specialists: A polymer specialist conducts research and study on structures and chemical properties of various materials such as metals, alloys, ceramics, rubber, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. A polymer scientist determines the ways to develop new materials, combine materials, or strengthen them with specific properties used in a variety of products. 

Production Supervisors: A production supervisor is responsible for supervising the whole production process. He or she oversees the equipment, staff, and processes on the production floor. He or she is responsible for scheduling routine production activities. 

Quality Control Inspectors:  A quality control inspector ensures that the production workers work in compliance with prescribed guidelines. He or she inspects that the products are developed as per the given template specifications. A quality control inspector tests products to ensure they meet quality standards. He or she also suggests improvements to avoid defects and deviations in the products.

Polymer Scientists: A polymer scientist is involved in the designing and creation of new polymer materials. He or she uses chemical polymers to develop new polymer materials such as kevlar, Teflon, polyester, nylon, and other materials. A polymer scientist adjusts the previous designs to make them more lightweight and durable. 

Individuals who opt for a career as Polymer Engineers are employed by polymer manufacturing industries. Polymer Engineers are employed in both public and private sector organizations. Some of the common profiles of Polymer Engineers are production supervisors, quality control inspectors, mold designers, production planners, production engineers, production technologists, polymer scientists, quality engineers, polymer specialists, and other related job roles. 

The plastic industry of India is rapidly producing a wide range of raw materials such as plastic molded extruded goods, polyester films, soft luggage items, writing instruments, plastic woven sacks, and bags, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), leather cloth, sheeting, packaging, consumer goods, sanitary fittings, electrical accessories, medical-surgical wares, and other items. 

The Polymer and Petrochemical industries are flourishing in India and Abroad as well. Chemical Engineering and Petrochemical Engineering a career option that comes with alluring opportunities. The Polymer industry is a broad industry that includes petrochemical, packaging, sports, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, preservatives, and plastic materials. The field of polymer engineering is rapidly growing. The candidates are required to complete a minimum education in polymer engineering to further opt for this career. Polymer Engineers with enhanced knowledge find opportunities in the petroleum industry, oil industry, polymer industry, rubber industry, and other manufacturing industries as well. 

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