Chennai · Engineering
Chemical Engineer jobs in Chennai
Designs, runs and optimises chemical processes in refineries, petrochemical, fertiliser, pharma and specialty chemical plants. Works with operations, process safety, maintenance, quality and R&D teams to keep yield, energy use and safety on target.
Updated · ResumeGyani careers team
Quick answer
Chemical Engineers in India typically earn ₹3L–₹5L a year starting out and ₹11L–₹22L+ with 7+ years. Employers mostly ask for Mass and energy balances, Process simulation and design and P&ID and PFD interpretation.
Current openings in Chennai
6 foundFrom public job boards. Apply on the employer's or board's site.
- Apply
Chemical Engineer
Clastek Engineering Pvt Ltd · Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Apply
Piping Engineer - Chemical Industies Energy Chennai (India)
Ramboll · Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Apply
Chemical Engineer
muthra Industries Pvt Ltd · Chennai, Tamil Nadu
See all Chemical Engineer jobs in Chennai
Pro includes unlimited job search, JD-tailored résumés and interview prep.
View Pro plansPro from ₹699 · one-time payment, no auto-renewal
What does a Chemical Engineer do?
Designs, runs and optimises chemical processes in refineries, petrochemical, fertiliser, pharma and specialty chemical plants. Works with operations, process safety, maintenance, quality and R&D teams to keep yield, energy use and safety on target.
A typical day: Shifts begin with a handover and review of unit parameters, deviations and lab results. You troubleshoot off-spec product or high energy use, run simulations for small changes and raise management-of-change requests. Many days include HAZOP or safety meetings and coordinating maintenance permits for equipment.
How people get in: B.E./B.Tech in Chemical Engineering; M.Tech for process design and R&D, and GATE for PSU recruitment.
How much does a Chemical Engineer earn in India?
| Experience | Typical annual CTC |
|---|---|
| Entry (0–2 years) | ₹3L–₹5L |
| Mid (3–6 years) | ₹5.5L–₹10L |
| Senior (7+ years) | ₹11L–₹22L+ |
PSU refineries (via GATE) and large private refiners pay well above small chemical and pharma units; process design roles at EPC consultancies also pay more.
India-wide estimates from public salary data (Naukri, AmbitionBox), checked October 2026. Pay in Chennai can differ; check the salary on each listing.
Which skills and tools do employers ask for?
Skills
- Mass and energy balances
- Process simulation and design
- P&ID and PFD interpretation
- HAZOP and process safety management
- Heat exchanger, column and reactor sizing
- Yield and energy optimisation
- Distributed control system (DCS) operations
- Unit operations troubleshooting
Tools
- Aspen HYSYS
- Aspen Plus
- DWSIM
- Honeywell / Yokogawa DCS
- AutoCAD (P&ID)
- MS Excel
Certifications that help
- Six Sigma Green Belt
- HAZOP Leader training
- Aspen Technology certification
Who hires Chemical Engineers?
Organisations that regularly hire for this role in India. Openings in Chennai vary, so check the listings above.
- Reliance Industries
- Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL)
- Bharat Petroleum (BPCL)
- ONGC
- UPL
- Tata Chemicals
- Deepak Nitrite
- Aarti Industries
- Engineers India Ltd (EIL)
- SRF Ltd
How to write a Chemical Engineer resume that gets shortlisted
- 1
Name the unit or process and the simulation tool used.
ExampleOptimised crude preheat train in Aspen HYSYS, reducing furnace fuel use 4% (₹1.8 crore/year).
- 2
Show safety work with specifics.
ExampleParticipated in HAZOP of 14 nodes for a new solvent recovery unit; closed 22 recommendations before commissioning.
- 3
Quantify yield, quality or throughput gains.
ExampleRaised reactor yield from 91% to 94% by tuning residence time and catalyst loading over 3 months.
Check your resume against a Chemical Engineer job description
Paste the JD and see which of these skills your resume is missing.
Common Chemical Engineer interview questions
Explain the working of a distillation column and how you would handle flooding.
Cover reflux, trays/packing, vapour-liquid traffic, pressure drop, and reducing feed or reboiler duty.
What is HAZOP and what are guide words?
Structured node-wise review using guide words like No, More, Less, Reverse with causes, consequences and safeguards.
How would you improve the yield of a reactor?
Talk about temperature, pressure, residence time, catalyst activity, mixing and conversion versus selectivity.
Why might pump cavitation happen and how do you prevent it?
NPSH available below NPSH required; fix by raising suction head, lowering fluid temperature or reducing suction losses.
Chemical Engineer career path
- Graduate Engineer Trainee
- Process Engineer
- Senior Process Engineer
- Shift In-charge / Assistant Manager
- Production / Process Manager
- Plant Head
Pro toolkit
Applying to Chemical Engineer jobs? Get the complete toolkit
- Unlimited job search across India
- JD-tailored ATS résumés
- ATS score checker & optimiser
- Mock interviews & prep kit
Questions people ask
How much does a Chemical Engineer earn in India?
Typical annual pay is ₹3L–₹5L at entry level (0–2 years), ₹5.5L–₹10L at mid level (3–6 years) and ₹11L–₹22L+ for senior roles (7+ years). PSU refineries (via GATE) and large private refiners pay well above small chemical and pharma units; process design roles at EPC consultancies also pay more.
What qualifications do you need to become a Chemical Engineer?
B.E./B.Tech in Chemical Engineering; M.Tech for process design and R&D, and GATE for PSU recruitment.
Which skills do employers look for in a Chemical Engineer?
Most job descriptions ask for Mass and energy balances, Process simulation and design, P&ID and PFD interpretation, HAZOP and process safety management and Heat exchanger, column and reactor sizing. Common tools include Aspen HYSYS, Aspen Plus, DWSIM and Honeywell / Yokogawa DCS.
What is the career path for a Chemical Engineer?
A common progression is Graduate Engineer Trainee → Process Engineer → Senior Process Engineer → Shift In-charge / Assistant Manager → Production / Process Manager → Plant Head.
How do I find Chemical Engineer jobs in Chennai?
Search current Chemical Engineer openings in Chennai on job boards and company career pages, and tailor your resume to each job description: lead with the skills it lists and show results with numbers. Pay for Chemical Engineer roles in India typically ranges ₹3L–₹22L+ a year depending on experience.
Similar roles in Chennai
Chemical Engineer jobs in other cities
Apply with a resume built for Chemical Engineer roles
Pick an ATS-friendly template, paste a job description, and tailor your skills and bullets to it.
Build my resume