Synthetic materials engineers develop new synthetic materials processes or improve existing ones. They design and construct installations and machines for the production of synthetic materials and examine samples of raw materials in order to ensure quality.

Tasks

Tasks include -
(a) Conducting research and advising on, and developing commercial-scale chemical processes to refine crude oil and other liquids or gases, and to produce substances and items such as petroleum derivatives, explosives, food and drink products, medicines, or synthetic materials;
(b) Specifying chemical production methods, materials and quality standards and ensuring that they conform to specifications;
(c) Establishing control standards and procedures to ensure safety and efficiency of chemical production operations and safety of workers operating equipment or of those working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions;
(d) Designing chemical plant equipment and devising processes for manufacturing chemicals and products;
(e) Performing tests throughout stages of production to determine degree of control over variables, including temperature, density, specific gravity and pressure;
(f) Developing safety procedures to be employed;
(g) Preparing estimates of production costs and production progress reports for management;
(h) Performing laboratory studies of steps in manufacture of new products and testing proposed process in small scale operation such as a pilot plant.