Also called: APC Engineer, Process Control Engineer
Builds smart control software that runs chemical plants and refineries more efficiently than human operators can.
You study how a distillation column reacts when you nudge its temperature, build a model of it, and install control software that keeps it at the sweet spot 24/7. Small improvements can save millions a year.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in chemical engineering; many have a master's.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Chemical Engineering, Control Systems.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Chemical engineers overall.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI and machine learning are reshaping control software, cutting manual tuning; plant testing and trust with operators stay human.
Classes: AP Calculus, AP Computer Science, AP Chemistry, Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2041.
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