Process Engineering – Everything You Need To Know!

Process engineering is a complex and continuously changing field – so it can be quite difficult to understand exactly what a process engineer does on a day-to-day basis.

Process engineers are responsible for the design, implementation, control, and optimization of industrial processes.  In this article, we’ll take a deep look at process engineering, and discuss everything you need to know about this field. From the basics about what process engineering is, to typical industries served by process engineering companies, job responsibilities, tools used and much more.

Keep reading, and get an in-depth understanding of process engineering – in just a few minutes!

What is Process Engineering?

Process engineering, as touched upon above, is a field that’s primarily interested in processes – especially continuous processes within the chemical, agricultural, petrochemical, mineral food, and pharmaceutical industries.  

Process engineering is the means by which raw materials are turned into some kind of end product or commodity. Process engineers are responsible for designing the processes that allow for the creation of some kind of product – as well as their optimisation to ensure that there is minimal waste during the process, and profits are maximised.  

To this end, process engineering is a very complex engineering specialisation. Process engineers must create and develop product specifications, develop equipment requirements, implement manufacturing strategies, and monitor all of the processes they develop – to ensure maximum productivity. 

​These processes vary from simple mechanical processes – such as the stamping of metal or CNC machining of plastic components – to complex biochemical reactions, and everything in-between. While process engineers do develop new, innovative processes for new facilities, they are also often involved in the analysis, upgrading, and modification/optimisation of equipment and processes that are already being used by a company.

Process engineering is an inherently cross-departmental discipline. Process engineers usually must work with people from every sector of the manufacturing industry – including R&D staff, production personnel, operations personnel, management, and even customers, in some cases. You can read more here or Contact Krisquest Today to discuss more about that process engineering challenge.