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Chemical Engineering Graduate Jobs in California

$73K - $136K/yr

Senior Associate, Manufacturing Engineering (Chemical Processing) Job Code: 41857 Job Location ... Graduate Degree or equivalent with 0 to 2 years of prior related manufacturing engineering ...

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Chemical Engineering Graduate information

See California salary details

$39.5K

$86.3K

$138.2K

How much do chemical engineering graduate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for chemical engineering graduate in California is $86,341.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,600.00 and $105,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chemical engineering graduate?

Chemical engineering graduates are individuals who have completed a degree in chemical engineering, typically at the bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level. They are trained to apply principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering to solve problems related to the production and use of chemicals, fuels, drugs, food, and other products. These graduates often work in industries such as pharmaceuticals, energy, food processing, environmental protection, and materials manufacturing. Their education equips them with skills in process design, safety management, and problem-solving, making them valuable in both research and industrial settings.

What types of projects does a chemical engineering graduate typically work on in their first year at a company?

In their first year, chemical engineering graduates often engage in a mix of process optimization, data analysis, and hands-on support for plant operations or product development. They may assist senior engineers with troubleshooting production issues, running experiments, or implementing efficiency improvements. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as quality control, safety, and maintenance, is common, providing valuable exposure to different aspects of the business. This early experience helps new graduates build both technical skills and a strong professional network within the organization.

What jobs do chemical engineering graduates get?

Chemical engineering graduates often find employment as process engineers, chemical engineers, plant managers, or quality control engineers. They work in industries such as pharmaceuticals, energy, manufacturing, and environmental consulting, utilizing skills in process design, safety protocols, and laboratory analysis.

What is the difference between Chemical Engineering Graduate vs Chemical Process Technician?

AspectChemical Engineering GraduateChemical Process Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in chemical engineering or related fieldHigh school diploma or associate degree, technical training
Work EnvironmentDesign, research, and development labs; office settings; some plant workManufacturing plants; production floors; operational settings
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, chemical companies, R&D departmentsProcessing plants, manufacturing facilities, chemical production

In summary, a Chemical Engineering Graduate typically focuses on designing processes, research, and development, requiring a bachelor's degree. In contrast, a Chemical Process Technician works directly on plant operations, often with technical training or an associate degree, and handles day-to-day manufacturing tasks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chemical engineering graduate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chemical Engineering Graduate, you need a solid background in chemistry, mathematics, and process engineering, typically achieved through an accredited chemical engineering degree. Familiarity with process simulation software (like Aspen Plus or MATLAB) and safety certification (such as OSHA training) is often expected. Strong analytical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills set successful graduates apart in both laboratory and industrial environments. These skills and qualifications are crucial for solving complex problems, ensuring safety, and contributing effectively to multidisciplinary teams in chemical industries.

Where can a chemical engineering graduate work?

A chemical engineering graduate can work in industries such as petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, food processing, environmental engineering, and materials manufacturing. They often find roles in process design, plant operations, research and development, and safety management, utilizing skills in chemistry, mathematics, and technical software.

What jobs can I get with a master's in chemical engineering?

A master's in chemical engineering qualifies graduates for roles such as process engineer, chemical engineer, or project engineer in industries like pharmaceuticals, energy, or manufacturing. These positions often require knowledge of process design, safety protocols, and proficiency with simulation tools like Aspen HYSYS or MATLAB.
What are popular job titles related to Chemical Engineering Graduate jobs in California? For Chemical Engineering Graduate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chemical Engineering Graduate jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Chemical Engineering Graduate jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Chemical Engineering Graduate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,341 per year, or $41.5 per hour.

Chemical and Materials Engineering Lecturer Pool

San José State University

San Jose, CA • On-site

$8.5K - $10K/mo

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

Chemical and Materials Engineering Lecturer Pool

Apply now Job no: 531490
Work type: Instructional Faculty - Temporary/Lecturer
Location: San Jose
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Temporary, Part Time, Faculty - Engineering


Department Summary

The Chemical and Materials Engineering Department at SJSU offers two ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (BSChE) and Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering (BSMatE) degrees and two Master of Science in Chemical Engineering (MSChE) and Master of Science in Materials Engineering (MSMatE) degrees. Hands-on, project-based curricula and state-of-the-art pedagogy provide the best possible academic preparation for the wide range of professional opportunities such as research, design, development, testing, and integration of systems available to Chemical and Materials Engineers with an emphasis on technologies that are centered in the Bay Area. The Department has approximately 400 undergraduate and 70 graduate students.

Students majoring in Chemical and Materials Engineering make a difference for society in a broad array of fields including green energy: biofuels, solar cells, and renewable batteries; biotechnology: genetics research, low cost vaccines, and personalized medicine; smart transportation and space exploration; next generation health care: medical devices, surgical tools, and diagnostics; additive manufacturing; flexible electronics, microelectronics, memory, and the internet of things; water purification and environmental engineering. Our students are well prepared for a career in industry or for advanced studies in academia as they gain a solid foundation in chemical or materials engineering principles and design through participation in transformative interdisciplinary faculty research, and interactions with cutting-edge technologies in California high-tech industries and with global partners.

The Chemical and Materials Engineering Department website is at: https://www.sjsu.edu/cme/

Brief Description of Duties

Lecturers are expected to teach their courses using student-centered pedagogies; collaborate with the Chemical and Materials Engineering Assessment Coordinator to assess course and program learning outcomes, maintain office hours in accordance with University Policy, and cooperate with the Department to allow for regular peer-reviews of their teaching. Lecturers are strongly encouraged to seek guidance from Department Chair for clarification of University policies and department practices with respect to grading, testing, textbooks, office hours, curriculum goals, disability accommodations, academic integrity, etc.

  • Demonstrate awareness of and address the needs of a student population of great diversity- including age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation-through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies and advisement.
  • Faculty shall organize all their classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
  • All classes must be offered and meet as scheduled throughout the entire semester or term, in the mode assigned and listed in the schedule of classes (i.e., asynchronous, synchronous, bichronous, in-person, or hybrid).
Required Qualifications
  • A Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Materials Engineering or closely related field is required to teach lower division undergraduate courses.
  • A Master's degree in Chemical or Materials Engineering or closely related field is required to teach upper division undergraduate as well as graduate courses.
  • Knowledge of the subject matter in the area assigned for teaching demonstrated through relevant professional experience and/or a Ph.D. or Sc.D. degree in Chemical or Materials Engineering or closely related field.
  • Evidence of satisfactory achievement in previous academic work and commitment to teaching.
  • Ability to communicate effectively via oral and written means.
  • Demonstrated awareness of, and sensitivity to the educational goals of a multicultural population through cross-cultural study, training, teaching or other comparable experience.
  • Self-driven, results-oriented with a positive outlook, and a clear focus on delivering high quality of education.
  • Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a multicultural population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching and other comparable experience.
Compensation

Compensation and salary range placement are determined by qualifications and experience. To learn more about range placement, please see University Policy S21-2. Anticipated hiring ranges:

L-A / Range 2 - $5507 - $5959
L-B / Range 3 - $6221 - $7481
L-C / Range 4 - $6825 - $9431
L-D / Range 5 - $8593 - $10347

Ranges are the anticipated monthly salary rate of full-time AY faculty--part-time rates are prorated. There are 6 monthly payments per semester (full-time AY annual salary = rate x 12). See the Faculty Salary Schedule for more information.

Application Procedure
Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:
  • CV
  • List of at least three (3) or as many as five (5) references
  • Cover letter with Statement of Teaching Philosophy and list of courses you are qualified to teach (visit CME department website at https://www.sjsu.edu/cme/ for course catalog).
  • This is a continuing open position.
Employment Conditions

Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role (e.g., Data Security, FERPA, Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, Health and Safety). Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, the faculty member in this position will be subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). Individuals designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and to complete Clery Act training as determined by the University Clery Director. Questions regarding CSA designation and training can be sent to the Clery Director at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu. The President may recommend or require compliance with safety measures that decrease the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission or illness and allows the core mission and activities of the campus to continue.

Conditional Offer

The work for this faculty position is located in the State of California and requires commuting to the campus. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Offers of employment are conditional, and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Appointment is contingent upon budget and enrollment considerations and subject to order of assignment provisions in the collective bargaining agreement between California State University and California Faculty Association. These provisions state the order in which available courses must be assigned to faculty, starting with tenure line faculty and ending with new lecturer appointees.

San Jose State University: Silicon Valley's Public University

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley - one of the most innovative and diverse regions in the world - San Jose State University is the founding campus of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system and the first public university in the West. The 2020 #1 Most Transformative University in the nation according to Money Magazine, San Jose State is an essential partner in the economic, cultural, and social development of Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, and California. SJSU is a top-200 school nationally in research funding and second highest in research productivity in the CSU system. Cutting- edge research, combined with world-class scholarship, student-centered learning opportunities, and experiential and interdisciplinary programs, allows SJSU to provide transformative opportunities that advance the public good locally and globally.

San Jose State enrolls more than 36,000 students - many are historically underserved, and around 45% are first-generation and 38% are Pell-recipients. SJSU is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander (AANAPISI) Serving Institution. The university's commitment to social justice extends from its vibrant, inclusive campus to an international network of over 275,000 alumni. As such, San Jose State is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty so our disciplines, students, and community can benefit from different and divergent cultural and identity perspectives.

Equal Employment Statement

San Jose State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Ancestry, Caste, Color, Disability, Ethnicity, Gender, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Military Status, Nationality, Race, Religion, Religious Creed, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Sex Stereotype, and Veteran Status. This policy applies to all San Jose State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Note that all San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San Jose State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Advertised: August 27, 2023 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

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