process engineer.

As a process engineer in manufacturing, you will streamline and develop existing processes. This may involve optimising manufacturing systems to achieve savings on production costs.

In this role, you will be responsible for a group or a team of engineers managing a larger project. You combine the more common responsibilities of a process engineer with also being a project manager. This is specifically to ensure that the entire manufacturing process runs smoothly and efficiently.

In such a role, you have a special responsibility as a process engineer, where the aim is to try to reduce costs and leftover, unusable raw material. This is done by streamlining the processes.

You can also work on automating production and manufacturing processes. In that case, you develop new processes that can be automated, something that should streamline the entire manufacturing.

The exact nature of the role of process engineer depends on the industry in which one works. Here are some of the more common tasks:

• Research and development: As a process engineer, you spend a large part of your working hours doing research and working with development. Your job is about discovering and learning new technologies and finding more efficient ways to carry out industrial processes. Doing research and being able to spot areas with development potential are important parts for improving productivity in manufacturing.

• Test new industrial processes: Before you implement a new process and replace the previous one, it’s important to test the new software. You simulate the process using advanced technology that creates a micro version of the real conditions. This is to help you make evaluations of potential process improvements. You’ll also be able to see potential risks and gains from making a change to the process.

• Equipment inspection: As a process engineer, you focus on the part of the business that operates with industrial equipment. You check and monitor the equipment to ensure that performance is optimised. You also need to check that the equipment works correctly according to the existing specifications. Monitoring the equipment and machines during production makes it possible to meet the requirements for manufacturing.

• Document processes: You are responsible for writing reports and documenting processes, where you also need to update existing documentation when changes are made to production methods. The updated documentation ensures that all new employees understand the most effective way to manage the production processes.

• Evaluate risks with existing processes and equipment: You are responsible for evaluating existing processes to constantly keep track of potential risks. You need to do the same with existing equipment and machinery, to ensure there are no risks of injury or production stoppages. Carrying out these checks regularly protects against the consequences of risks.

• Install new equipment: A process engineer is also responsible for overseeing the installation of new equipment. you check and supervise the team carrying out the installation, to ensure the equipment meets requirements and specifications.

As a process engineer, you can work in various industries, ranging from the food industry and plastics industry to the chemical industry and the medical industry. This means that the working environment can vary depending on your employer and the sector you work in.

Most of the time you work indoors in factory premises, where you need to wear special work clothes and protective equipment when you are near the machines. For large parts of your working hours, you will be moving about or standing, but you will also spend some time in the office or in meeting rooms to discuss and carry out documentation.

Some travel may be required in the role of process engineer, but it is less common than not. Remote work is also quite rare, as presence in production is necessary to carry out the job.

As a process engineer, you can have many different colleagues, ranging from project manager to engineers in various fields. Data engineers, product engineers and designer are some of the engineering roles, thus the colleagues who may be by your side as a process engineer.

But when you work in a factory environment or near a production area, there are also other roles that could become your colleagues, for example production operator, machine operators laboratory engineers and laboratory assistants.

Usually, a process engineer works full-time during regular office hours, but sometimes there may be early mornings, late evenings or nights to inspect production equipment. In such cases, overtime may be required in the evenings, nights and weekends to carry out these types of inspections and maintenance. There may be some part-time positions or project-based employment, but it is common for a process engineer to work full-time for a company.

As a process engineer, you start your work at a junior level, in a sort of apprentice role. You will then be able to progress to a job and roles with more responsibility. It all depends on your own work experience, prior knowledge and expertise in the field. It is also possible to specialise in other engineering areas and thereby become more attractive to employers. Some process engineers, for example, specialise as design engineers.

When you’ve gathered a few years of work experience and gained more solid knowledge, you can move from process engineer to more responsible management roles such as factory manager or production manager.

There are many advantages to finding a vacant job as a process engineer through Randstad.

• various development and career opportunities 

• an experienced contact person who can help you if needed

• many available jobs within your area

• full-time or part-time work depending on the job/assignment

Do you want a permanent position as a process engineer? In some cases, it can be a good idea to take a temporary job as a process engineer, to gain valuable work experience and make contacts within the industry you want to work in. Every year, several people get a permanent job with employers, thanks to a temporary job that has come through us at Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit their permanent employees directly through Randstad.

It is possible to train as an engineer at several different levels within the Swedish education system, but with a bachelor's or master's degree from a university or college, you have a solid foundation when starting a career as a process engineer. After completing a bachelor's or university degree, you can continue studying at master's level to further sharpen your skills and make yourself more attractive to employers. Some engineering courses can also be taken as vocational higher education.

In the job as a process engineer, practical experience from working life is important to become skilled at your job. This means that someone who has worked a few years in the role and gathered experience has greater opportunities to change and get new jobs as a process engineer.

In the role of process engineer, you are responsible for ensuring that the processes within manufacturing and production of finished products are optimised. You will therefore monitor the use of equipment and machinery, as well as industrial systems. You also recommend the best methods for converting raw materials into finished products. As part of the job, you will modify processes to improve productivity and the quality of production.

As a process engineer, you need to keep up to date with various IT services and computer programmes to be able to calibrate equipment used in manufacturing and industrial processes. Having a high level of problem-solving ability will also be important for troubleshooting and identifying areas for improvement. Being thorough and having an eye for detail also helps to spot potential faults in the manufacturing process or production.

The job and role of a process engineer exist in many different industries and sectors, which means there are good job opportunities. If you have a problem-solving focus, strong skills in mathematics, and an interest in machines and production, then a career as a process engineer could be right for you. It is also a challenging and rewarding job, where you can continue your education or seek more senior positions within the same or other companies.

To be considered for a job as a process engineer, you usually need an engineering degree at university or higher education level. Vocational higher education courses in the field can also be a first step towards a job as a process engineer. Otherwise, work experience is important, where for example an internship as a process engineer can help you later secure a permanent position.

The role of process engineer needs to be filled by many companies across several different industries. But at present, things are moving in a positive direction for process engineers who have focused on developing automated systems, such as robotic solutions for industries. It is in this area that it is believed there will be greater job opportunities in the future for process engineers.

Here you can find more information about the role process engineer.

It's easy to apply for a job as a process engineer, if it's a career that interests you. Search among our vacancies in your area. then send in your cv and your personal letter or apply via LinkedIn. If you need help with your job application, you can read all our job tips here!