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Senior Chemical Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Honeywell

Principal Chemical Engineer

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$162K - $203K/yr

You will report directly to our Senior Chemical Engineering Manager and you'll work out of our Des Plaines, Illinois location on a Hybrid work schedule. Hybrid Work Schedule Note: For the first 90 ...

Honeywell

Principal Chemical Engineer

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$162K - $203K/yr

You will report directly to our Senior Chemical Engineering Manager and you'll work out of our Des Plaines, Illinois location on a Hybrid work schedule. Hybrid Work Schedule Note: For the first 90 ...

Honeywell

Principal Chemical Engineer

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$162K - $203K/yr

You will report directly to our Senior Chemical Engineering Manager and you'll work out of our Des Plaines, Illinois location on a Hybrid work schedule. Hybrid Work Schedule Note: For the first 90 ...

Redwood Materials

Senior Process Engineer

Ridgeville, SC · On-site

$102K - $133K/yr

Senior Process Engineer As a Senior Process engineer at Redwood you will have the opportunity to ... The chemical engineering team has three main functions that leverage all the fields of chemical and ...

L3HHCM20

Senior Propellant Chemical Engineer

Camden, AR · On-site

Specialist, Materials & Process Engineering Job Code: 38679 Job Location: Camden, AR OR Culpeper ... Senior Propellant Chemical Engineer . This forward-deployed propellant chemist role within the ...

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Senior Chemical Engineering information

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$92.5K

$135.2K

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How much do senior chemical engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior chemical engineering in the United States is $135,168.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,000.00 and $148,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior chemical engineers with extensive experience, advanced expertise, and leadership roles in specialized industries can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and profit sharing. Such compensation typically requires advanced degrees, certifications, and working in high-demand sectors like petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, or specialty chemicals.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Chemical Engineers when managing cross-functional project teams?

Senior Chemical Engineers often lead projects that require collaboration across multiple departments, such as R&D, production, quality assurance, and safety. A common challenge is aligning diverse teams with varying priorities and technical backgrounds toward a unified goal, while ensuring compliance with safety regulations and project timelines. Effective communication and strong project management skills are essential to overcome these challenges, as is the ability to adapt to changing project scopes and resolve technical disputes. Building strong relationships and fostering a collaborative environment are key to project success in this role.

How much money does a senior chemical engineer make?

A senior chemical engineer typically earns a median annual salary of around $100,000 to $130,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often work in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, or energy sectors and may hold advanced certifications or specialized skills that influence compensation.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior chemical engineers with extensive experience, advanced degrees, and specialized skills in process design or management can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially in high-demand industries like oil and gas or pharmaceuticals. Achieving this level often requires leadership roles, professional certifications, and working in regions with high compensation standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Chemical Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Chemical Engineer, you need deep expertise in chemical process design, project management, and a degree in chemical engineering, often with a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with simulation software like Aspen Plus or HYSYS, process control systems, and industry safety standards is typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are essential soft skills for this role. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and innovative development of chemical processes and successful project outcomes.

What is the highest paying job in chemical engineering?

The highest paying roles in chemical engineering are often executive positions such as Chief Chemical Engineer or Vice President of Engineering, which involve overseeing large projects and strategic decision-making. Senior roles in process engineering, especially in the oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, or specialty chemicals industries, also tend to offer the highest salaries, often supplemented by bonuses and profit sharing. Advanced degrees, extensive experience, and specialized skills in areas like process simulation or project management can further increase earning potential.

What are Senior Chemical Engineers?

Senior Chemical Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and optimize processes for manufacturing chemicals, fuels, pharmaceuticals, and other products. They often lead teams, oversee large projects, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering. Their responsibilities may include process design, safety assessment, troubleshooting, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. With several years of industry experience, they also mentor junior engineers and contribute to strategic decision-making within their organizations.

What is the difference between Senior Chemical Engineering vs Chemical Engineering?

AspectSenior Chemical EngineeringChemical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, 5+ years experience, professional engineering license often preferredBachelor's degree in chemical engineering, entry-level to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentDesign, project management, oversight roles in manufacturing or R&DDesign, process development, and operational tasks in manufacturing plants or labs
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing firms, chemical plants, consulting firmsChemical, pharmaceuticals, energy, and related industries

Senior Chemical Engineers typically have more experience, leadership responsibilities, and specialized knowledge compared to Chemical Engineers. They often oversee projects, manage teams, and contribute to strategic planning, whereas Chemical Engineers focus on designing and optimizing processes. Both roles are essential in the chemical industry, but the senior position involves higher responsibility and expertise.

More about Senior Chemical Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Chemical Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Senior Chemical Engineering job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Chemical Engineering jobs? The most popular types of Chemical Engineering jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Chemical Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Chemical Engineering jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Chemical Engineering jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Chemical Engineering jobs are:
Senior Chemical Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Chemical Engineering job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,168 per year, or $65 per hour.
2.2 Senior Chemical Engineer- Radiochemistry

2.2 Senior Chemical Engineer- Radiochemistry

Phoenix Tailings

Burlington, MA • On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

About Phoenix Tailings
Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. Our mission is to be the world's first fully clean mining and metals production company, producing the resources needed for the next generation of our economy.
Why Phoenix Tailings
At Phoenix, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you are someone who shares our relentless pursuit of a better future, passion for innovation, and are excited about working with some of the top innovators in the world, then this is the place for you.
Our Values
• You are only crazy if you are wrong, it's ok to be wrong
• Lead with Compassion
• Be Resourceful
• Listen
• Hustle
Who We Are Looking For
Phoenix Tailings is looking for a Senior Chemical Engineer with experience designing and scaling chemical processes that involve radioactive or radiologically sensitive materials within mining or metallurgical systems. In this role, you will lead the development of separation and treatment strategies that enable the recovery of valuable metals while ensuring safe handling, isolation, and management of regulated constituents. Your work will be central to Phoenix Tailings' ability to process complex feedstocks compliantly and at commercial scale.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead the design and optimization of chemical separation processes for mining and metallurgical feedstocks containing radioactive constituents
  • Develop and evaluate flowsheets incorporating solvent extraction, ion exchange, precipitation, or adsorption-based separations
  • Own mass balance development and process modeling for systems involving trace and regulated elements
  • Support scale-up from pilot to commercial operations with a focus on safety, robustness, and regulatory alignment
  • Define process operating envelopes and control strategies to ensure stable and compliant operation
  • Partner with environmental, health, and safety teams to support radiation control strategies and facility design considerations
  • Assess feedstock variability and its impact on process performance, waste streams, and downstream handling
  • Prepare technical documentation, design bases, and risk assessments for internal review and external stakeholders

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline
  • 8+ years of experience in chemical process engineering within mining, metals, nuclear-adjacent, or advanced materials industries
  • Demonstrated experience working with chemical systems involving radioactive or radiologically controlled materials
  • Strong background in aqueous chemistry, separations, and trace element behavior
  • Experience with solvent extraction, ion exchange, precipitation, or similar chemical separation technologies
  • Proven ability to scale complex or highly regulated processes to commercial operation
  • Familiarity with radiation safety principles, monitoring practices, and compliance-driven process design
  • Strong technical communication skills and comfort operating in high-accountability environments

We offer a competitive compensation package that is based on expertise. We also offer the following benefits:
This pay range reflects best estimate for the total cash compensation which includes salary + discretionary bonus for this role. Total package may vary based on experience and qualifications.
Pay Range: $120,000- $160,000 total cash compensation plus equity
  • Healthcare: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee.
  • Stock Options: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company.
  • Time Off: Unlimited PTO.
  • Learning: Learning and development opportunities to grow your skills and career.

At Phoenix Tailings, we have an open culture that values learning, and we are looking to grow the team with enthusiastic individuals who share our vision of sustainable mining.
Phoenix Tailings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at all levels. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics, and these characteristics will not be a factor for consideration of any work-related decisions (including but not limited to hiring, firing, compensation, and discipline).
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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