CAREERS
withSTEM JOB KIT ™
Chemical Product Engineer Design and develop innovative products to meet customer needs
UNSW Engineering
School of Chemical Engineering
CRICOS Provider Code 00098G
FOREWORD
Inventing s t c u d o r p e h t of tomorrow
their skills and knowledge e us rs ee gin en t uc od pr l ica Chem ange real lives to make real products that ch Patrick Spicer Associate Professor, ring ginee School of Chemical En ey UNSW Sydn
C
ing is where hemical product engineer It’s about taking a creativity meets science. er materials, bright idea – think smart re effective cleaner cosmetics or mo t g it into something real tha medicines – and turnin . people can use every day really stand out is the ree deg s thi kes ma at Wh combine chemistry, u’ll freedom to innovate. Yo ve to create products that sol design and engineering to ing kag pac m sustainable real-world problems, fro s and next-gen food tech. cal uti ace lifesaving pharm d focused on making It’s hands-on, creative an and the planet. science useful for people eers think about how Chemical Product Engin l world – how they rea materials perform in the and , our clothes, our homes interact with our bodies work drives entire the environment. Their nomies and improving eco g industries, powerin elop everyday consumer quality of life as they dev dical technologies, and goods, breakthrough me everything in between.
experts who’ve taken the ir own ideas from lab bench to global success. Graduates go on to work in start-ups, design labs and international compa nies, developing everythin g from biodegradable mater ials and advanced healthcare products to gre ener technologies and consumer innovations tha t make everyday life better. Some even start the ir own ventures while at uni, using their entrepren eurial drive to leverage all the knowledge and connec tions they are developin g. If you love solving hard problems but also want to think creatively and ma ke a visible impact, Chemical Product Engin eering gives you the too ls to do both. It’s about turnin g chemistry into someth ing you can hold in your ha nd, and using it to build a better world. Patrick Spicer Associate Professor, School of Chemical Engin eering UNSW Sydney
IMAGE: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK
l-world impact Real-world experience, rea (Honours) (Chemical
ing The Bachelor of Engineer SW is one of the only UN at Product Engineering) ere students invent and programs in the world wh products before they refine new chemical-based w to turn ideas into graduate. You’ll learn ho h real consumers, and prototypes, test them wit nce, sustainability, and understand how performa er. Along the way, you’ll market needs come togeth researchers and industry be mentored by leading
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware Technical Section Head, Procter & Gamble Company
You’ll combine chemistry, design and engineering to create products that connect with the world’s consumers and solve real-world problems.” PhD in Chemical Engineering, University of Cincinnati
Technology Leader, Procter & Gamble Company
Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales
Check out CareerswithSTEM.com for more insights, information, inspiration and advice about careers in chemical product engineering! 3
CHEMICAL PRODUCT ENGINEER
DEEP DIVE
e t a e r C o t d e r Enginee don’t just analyse Chemical product engineers
Where could you work? Big-name consumer brands Think companies like Unilever (makers of Lynx, Dove, Surf) or Pental (White King, Softly). These teams need product engineers to help create and improve the household items on Aussie shelves.
! materials – they invent them
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bridges and solve hin k engineers just build Chemica l product equations? Think again. clever chemistr y engineers are behind the ry day. in the products we use eve ineering is all about eng cal mi che of This branch g new chemical-based designing and developin arter, more sustainable products that are safer, sm not just technica l it’s and more inclusive. And job done. Chemica l know-how that gets the curiosity, creativit y and product engineers need nsform a cool concept consumer thinking to tra , lasts and sells. into something that works cosmetics, biotech, With opportunities across more, this is a career for food, clean energ y and don’t want to sit still. creative engineers who
Food & drink companies Ever wondered who figures out how to make chips crispier or oat milk creamier? Engineers at food companies like Nestlé, Sanitarium (Weet-Bix!), and Goodman Fielder help bring food products from concept to kitchen table.
✔ You like the idea of combining science with creativity.
Work on vitamins, skincare or even vaccines with companies including CSL (a global biotech giant based in Australia) and Blackmores (natural health products).
✔ You enjoy getting hands on and solving real-world problems.
Green innovation & packaging
Startups & labs Love inventing? You could be prototyping new materials, testing formulas, or even launching your own product at a startup, uni lab, or innovation hub like Cicada Innovations or UNSW Founders.
Love science and creative problem solving? You could be a future chemical product engineer! Here are just some of the skills that come in handy in this career . ✔ You’re curious, especially about how things are made.
Health & biotech
Help tackle waste and climate challenges with roles at Visy (recycling and sustainable packaging), Planet Protector packaging, or plenty of other companies rethinking materials for a greener future.
Skills Checklist
✔ You care about sustainability and making things better for people and the planet.
Let’s talk money din g
(inclu Chem ica l engineers gineers) en t uc od pr l chem ica n usually earn betwee 0 ,00 37 $1 $60,000 and ills sk eir th on depend ing and ex perience. (paysc ale.com)
✔ You like working in teams to bounce around ideas and test things out. ✔ You’re good at the details, and notice when things don’t quite work like they should. ✔ You’re into science and maths – but don’t necessarily want to sit behind a desk all day.
CAREERSwithSTEM.com
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Quiz yourself! ns to find out where Answer these 4 quick questio product engineering. you might shine in chemical
out science? 1. What excites you most ab systems
s and improving A. Solving complex problem products that don’t exist yet or als B. Creating new materi that help the environment C. Making sustainable choices work on a microscopic level D. Understanding how things
Simply the best
UNSW’s en gineerin g faculty consistently ra nks as the best in Australia. You’l l get ha nds-on ex perience, access to global research, ind ustry placements and fle xible double degree options.
e to work? 2. Where would you most lik cessing plant A. In a buzzing factory or pro t big product B. In a lab developing the nex change C. On a team tackling climate tical space D. In the medical or pharmaceu
es your vibe? 3. Which phrase best match A. “Fix it and make it better” B. “Let’s invent it!” .” C. “Think green. Act smarter anity” hum D. “Science for health and
results
4. What’s your super skill?
You’re all about optimisation! You’d thrive in roles that improve how things are made – faster, safer, sma rter.
Mostly As Process engineer
cy A. Organisation and efficien B. Big ideas and imagination C. Passion for the planet D. Curiosity and compassion
Mostly Bs Product innovator
You’re the ideas person. You ’d love creating new materials, foods, cosmetics or tech-based products.
Mostly Cs Sustainability specialist
The planet needs you! You’re likely to end up working on clean energy, circular economy projects or greene r processes.
You’re a health-focused help er. You’d suit roles creating life-chang ing medicines, materials or medica l devices.
Scholarships to watch • Mike Brungs Scholarship for Women in Chemical Engineering • UNSW Engineering Rural Scholarship Find out more: at scholarships.unsw.edu.au or scan here 5
WORDS: GEMMA CHILTON | IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK
Mostly Ds Biomedical/pharma enginee r
CHEMICAL PRODUCT ENGINEER
REAL PEOPLE
Making molecules matter Abdelrahman ElAtawna is combining chemistry and creativity to design everyday products that make a difference
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bdelrahman was always drawn to chemistry, but he wante d to apply that interest in a creative way. “I was interested in chemistry in high school but I also wanted the practical ity of engineering,” he says. “I looked into che mical engineering, but process design was no t the most appealing to me. After some resear ch, I found chemical product engineering, wh ich offers the perfect combination of creativit y and technicality.” What elements of the deg ree really won him over? “Its focus on design ing end-user products, not just processes,” he exp lains. “You’re not just working with molec ules – you’re building something people will act ually use.” That mix of technical kn ow-how and design thinking is exactly what Abdelrahman has developed throughout his degree. He’s explored everything from pharm aceuticals to advanced reaction engineering, sha ped by electives that helped him understand different industries. “Discipline electives were an opportunity for me to shape my degree into one that supported my knowledge and understa nding of the possible pathways I’d like to pursu e,” he says.
na Abdelrahman ElAtaw ring ee gin En Chemical product student
Brewing up innovation
WORDS: GEMMA CHILTON | IMAGES: SUPPLIED
The highlight of his UNSW degree has been the capstone project, wh ere his team designed dissolvable tea sheets to eliminate microplastics and reduce waste in tea production. “We created the sheets by forming a thick syrup-like tea
You’re not just worki ng with molecules – yo u’ re bu ilding something people wil l actually use.” CAREERSwithSTEM.com
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resin and mixing it with natural additives already found in tea, then dehydrating the mixture to form a fully dissolvable tea sheet.” The experience taught him more than just chemistry. “The single most important lesson I have learned from my capstone is to not get attached to ideas. Bias could cloud your judgement and cause you to dismiss a better, more viable product.” Looking ahead, Abdelrahman hopes to work in product creation and development – whether that means leading innovation teams or launching his own product line. His advice to future students? “Stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. UNSW offers endless opportunities, so use them to not just build your career, but a future you are genuinely excited about.” l Product Engineering Bachelor of Chemica (Honours), UNSW
… a f o e f li e h t in y a d A
R E E N I G N E T C U D CHEMICAL PRO gineering Elizabeth Paulino uses her en products smarts to make sure everyday reach shelves and homes
elizabeth paulino Product supply mana ger Procter & Gamble
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WORDS: GEMMA CHILTON | IMAGES: SUPPLIED / SHUTTERSTOCK
manager at Procter & lizabeth is a product supply gest consumer goods big Gamble, one of the world’s ind the scenes making sure companies. She works beh – from shampoo to cleaning the things we use every day nce highest quality and complia products – are made to the ia & tral Aus in es shelves and hom standards and delivered to from s, ces pro le who eye on the New Zealand. She keeps an ufacturing to packaging and man to nts edie ingr sourcing the complex system is known as distribution. This amazingly supply chain. al product engineering and With a background in chemic W, she applies her skills in information systems from UNS tech to help keep everything problem-solving, logistic s and running smoothly. supply chain that brings “It’s exciting to be par t of the lve ideas and formulations evo innovations to life – seeing for nce ere diff l rea ea into real products that mak s. say she ,” ers sum con rs? Keep an open mind Her advice for future enginee ns could take you! about where your qualificatio al engineering – systems “The skills you gain in chemic n and dat a analysis – are thinking, proces s optimisatio ds,” she says. valuable across so many fiel
Day in the life ... 8:30am
10:30am
Check in with retail par tners to make sure everything’s rea dy for a new product launch.
12:00 noon
Lunchtime!
The skills you gain in chemical product engineering are valuable across so many fields” Bachelor of Chemical Product Engineering (Hons) / Bachelor of Commerce (Information Systems), UNSW Sydney Process Engineer, Sydney Water
1:00pm
Begin the day by making sure customer orders are on trac k, ensuring full delivery, on tim e.
Solutions Engineer, Salesforce
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Time to shift focus to big-picture planning. First, use fresh customer insights to help fine-tune sales predictions. With that info, it’s time to optimise stockpiles across the supply chain.
3:00pm
Meet with the team and dig r deep into the data to uncove ply new ways to make the sup e. chain more efficient and agil but ak, twe a This time, it’s just sometimes the end-to-end product flow is totally ts redesigned to ensure produc ory fact from ssly mle sea e mov to consumer.
Water Engineer, Jacobs Product Supply Manager, Procter & Gamble
CHEMICAL PRODUCT ENGINEER
Get the job! Your career in chemical product engineering starts here
Curious about this career? Here’s how you can start building the skills and mindset of a chemical product engineer – right now.
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Mix up your social feed with a splash of product engineering!
Choose the right subjects
Pick high school subjects like Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Advanced Maths. These will give you a strong foundation in how materials behave, how reactions work, and how to approach problems like an engineer.
@cenmag – Chemical &
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Make and test your own products
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Go behind the scenes at a real vaccine factory
Try creating simple products at home – like soap, lip balm or a natural cleaning spray – and then think about how you could make improvements. (Always get a trusted adult to help and make sure you’re using safe ingredients and methods!)
Check out this exclusive look at how Pfizer makes the COVID-19 vaccine , and how they keep improving their produc tion facilities in this short CNN documentary: https://bit.ly/4pUfiWe
3 IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK
Join a science club or competition
Experiment with your ideas and meet like-minded peers by joining a STEM club at school or signing up to a science competition. It’s a great way to get hands-on and build your confidence.
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Watch Lab Muffin unpack the science behind beauty
Michelle Wong, a chemistry PhD, explains what’s really going on in products like sunscreen, shampoo and skincare. Find her on YouTube or at www.labmuffin.com
Insta inspo
Engineering News! Check out this magazine for the latest discoveries, innovations and insights.
@unswchemeng – Showcasing UNSW student projects, research breakthroughs and career pathways. (Or spot them on LinkedIn!)
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Find out how shampoo is ma de by a chemical engineering pro fessor
Learn how engineers think (and how your favourie hair products work) by watching “Shampoo: An Engineering Mir acle” from the University of California, San ta Barbara. https://bit.ly/44LrZuu
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Explore what’s in your favour ite products
Flip over the packaging of som e of your most-used products at hom e and check the ingredients. What are they? Why are they there? Could they be replace d with something safer, simpler or more sustain able?
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Refraction Media acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. This edition was published on 14 January 2026