If you work in research and development, you’ll:

• test new ways to develop products in the lab
• use computer models to work out the safest and most cost-effective production methods
• plan how to move lab tests into a pilot production phase, then on to large-scale industrial processing
• develop methods to deal with by-products and waste materials in a safe way

In manufacturing, you’ll:

• work with plant designers to create equipment and control instruments for the production process
• help to oversee the day-to-day operation of the processing plant
• monitor production and deal with problems
• work closely with quality control and health and safety managers

You may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work in a laboratory, in an office or at a manufacturing plant.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

With experience, you could progress to senior process or design engineer, research and development manager. You could go on to be a plant manager, or overall operations manager.

You could also move into consultancy work.