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Associate Chemical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cruz Associates Inc. of Yorktown, VA has an open position and is looking for qualified candidates for an Chemical Engineer . The job location is at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, MD

Associates degree or Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field or equivalent experience. * 3-5 years of experience in rubber ...

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering field. (Chemical Engineer preferred ... Three (3)+ years relevant experience or Associates Degree with 7+ years relevant experience or 9+ ...

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering field. (Chemical Engineer preferred ... Three (3)+ years relevant experience or Associates Degree with 7+ years relevant experience or 9+ ...

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Associate Chemical Engineer information

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$40K

$87.5K

$140K

How much do associate chemical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate chemical engineer in the United States is $87,487.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,500.00 and $106,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate chemical engineer?

An Associate Chemical Engineer is an entry-level engineering professional who assists in designing, developing, and optimizing chemical processes in industries such as pharmaceuticals, energy, and manufacturing. They support senior engineers in conducting experiments, analyzing data, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Their role may also include troubleshooting production issues and improving efficiency in chemical manufacturing. Typically, they work in laboratories, production plants, or research facilities. This position serves as a foundation for career growth in chemical engineering, leading to more advanced roles with experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate chemical engineer?

To thrive as an Associate Chemical Engineer, you generally need a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related field, along with a solid understanding of chemical processes, analytical techniques, and process optimization. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Aspen Plus, MATLAB, or AutoCAD, and knowledge of safety regulations or certifications like EIT (Engineer-in-Training) are highly advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective teamwork, and clear communication skills help drive project success and ensure safety compliance. Mastery of these skills enables you to efficiently contribute to project development, troubleshoot issues, and work productively within multidisciplinary teams.

What are the typical career advancement opportunities for an associate chemical engineer?

Associate Chemical Engineers often start by supporting senior engineers and handling project-based tasks, but with experience, they can move into roles such as Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, or Project Manager. Advancement typically comes with demonstrating strong technical skills, leadership qualities, and a solid understanding of manufacturing or R&D processes. Many companies also encourage professional development through training, mentorship, and opportunities to work on diverse projects. Gaining industry certifications or pursuing an advanced degree can further enhance your prospects for promotion and specialization within the field.

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What cities are hiring for Associate Chemical Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Associate Chemical Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Chemical Engineer jobs?

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What states have the most Associate Chemical Engineer jobs?

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Infographic showing various Associate Chemical Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,487 per year, or $42.1 per hour.

Associate Chemical Engineer

Naval Nuclear Laboratory

Niskayuna, NY • On-site

$63K - $97K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Naval Nuclear Laboratory rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

About Us

Working at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory we foster pride in belonging to an organization whose culture is made up of these core values: Trust, Empowerment, and Collaboration. Our company promotes a positive culture while ensuring the safety and reliability of our nation's naval nuclear reactors, and training the Sailors who operate those reactors in the U.S. Navy's submarines and aircraft carrier Fleets. Looking for a lifetime career? Apply today!

Job Description

NNL is seeking a chemical engineer in our Materials Manufacturing area within the Fuel and Poison Materials (FPM) unit; FPM develops new fuel and poison systems, and improvements to existing fuel and poison systems. Key drivers include delivering fuel and poison systems that enable ever increasing core performance objectives with improved quality and reduced cost. FPM manages several development contracts including contracts with the NNPP fuel and core vendors to execute this mission. This area is responsible for the research and testing of nuclear fuel and cladding materials including test design, specimen fabrication, and characterization.

Job responsibilities will include:
* Working within a team of engineering, laboratory, facility, and compliance organizations to enable and conduct test programs.
* Planning, designing, modeling / analyzing, manufacturing, and deploying laboratory equipment which include nuclear, chemical, mechanical, structural, and electrical components and systems.
* Developing models of unit operations, execution of testing and analysis of data to test and verify process models and utilizing of modeling to improve unit operation performance.
* Development and fabrication of unique materials systems up to and including small scale production demonstration.
* Documenting progress, analyzing results, and conducting presentations as needed.
* Occasional travel to domestic vendors (3 to 6 times per year)
This is a dynamic and innovative environment spanning from development to laboratory and factory deployment. The required and developed skills cover a broad range of capabilities, directly impacting the program. This position is targeted at engineers interested in the research, development, and deployment of equipment and facilities for the research production of novel nuclear materials, components, and systems.

Required Combination of Knowledge and Skill
Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in a related technical, engineering or science field; or Masters degree from an accredited college or university in a related technical, engineering or science field.
Preferred Skills
  • Degree(s) from an accredited college in Chemical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering or Materials Science and Engineering (or similar)
  • Experience in Materials science, control systems and chemical engineering.
  • Data analytics, statical design of experiments, machine learning.
  • Modeling of Fluid dynamics and thermal transfer.
  • Demonstrated software programming skills in LabVIEW and Python environments.
  • Experience in the core material and core manufacturing technical areas
  • Core material vendor contract and production oversight
  • Demonstrated ability to clearly and concisely articulate technical work and detail to broad audiences to include senior management in written and verbal format.
  • Demonstrated "can-do" proactive approach that displays self-motivation, time and project management skills, ownership, and personal accountability
  • Practical leadership skills that include team building, influencing others, and setting priority and vision
Compensation and Benefits
  • Health, Dental, Vision & Voluntary Benefits
  • Disability, Life & Accident Insurance
  • 401(k) Savings program & Capital Accumulation Plan
  • Personal & Medical Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Flexible Work Schedules
  • Tuition Assistance for Eligible Employees
  • Student Debt Benefit Personal Time Off Sell Program
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Wellness Program
  • Visit us online to view all NNL benefits!
Pay Range
$63,900.00 - $97,800.00 annually
Salary information provided is a general guideline only. Annual salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC (FMP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fluor Corporation. Naval Nuclear Laboratory personnel are FMP employees who work at four DOE facilities: Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, Kenneth A. Kesselring Site, and Naval Reactors Facility, and at the U.S. Department of Defense-owned Nuclear Power Training Unit-Charleston. FMP employees also have an established presence at numerous shipyards and vendor locations. For nearly 70 years, the Naval Nuclear Laboratory has developed advanced nuclear propulsion technology, provided technical support, and trained world-class nuclear operators to ensure the safe and reliable operation of our nation's submarine and aircraft carrier Fleets. The Naval Nuclear Laboratory is a national asset solely dedicated to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. We rely on the dedication and innovation of our nearly 8000 engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel.

All candidates must be U.S. citizens. Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. FMP is a government contractor and maintains a drug free workplace and workforce. All candidates must be able to pass a drug test in compliance with FMP company policy and 10 CFR 707. Marijuana is a Federal Schedule I controlled substance and illegal under Federal Law. Therefore, FMP is required to test for marijuana.

Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other criteria protected by federal, state, or local law.

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