Description
Operate and monitor chemical process equipment to control reactions and material transformations in manufacturing. Use reactors, kettles, pumps, and related systems to meet specifications while ensuring safety, quality, and compliance.
- • Set and adjust temperature, pressure, feed rates, and flow per procedures.
- • Follow process safety and hazard control procedures to prevent fires, releases, and explosions.
- • Monitor gauges, PLC screens, flowmeters, and analyzers to maintain specified conditions.
- • Start, stop, and operate reactors, kettles, mixers, pumps, and associated process equipment.
- • Weigh, measure, and charge raw materials per batch records.
- • Inspect equipment for leaks, abnormal noises, or malfunctions; shut down or isolate as needed.
- • Patrol units to verify operating conditions and identify issues.
- • Collect in-process and finished product samples at defined intervals.
- • Perform basic tests (pH, specific gravity, viscosity, concentration) or submit samples to the lab.
- • Record process data, material usage, and test results in logs or electronic systems.
- • Communicate equipment or instrumentation issues to maintenance and engineering.
- • Add treating or neutralizing agents; filter or centrifuge to remove impurities or precipitate product.
- • Open or close valves and operate controls for automatic feeds, agitators, blowers, and utilities.
- • Review production schedules, batch sheets, and SOPs to determine ingredients and process steps.
- • Drain, flush, and clean tanks and lines; perform CIP or manual cleaning as required.
- • Perform minor maintenance and lubrication using hand tools; support lockout/tagout.
- • Visually verify color, clarity, and consistency against instrument readings and standards.
- • Respond to alarms and implement industrial emergency procedures when required.
- • Load solids, granules, or powders safely into process equipment.
- • Estimate or stage materials required to meet production plans.
- • Track and inventory raw materials, intermediates, and supplies.
- • Lead or assist coworkers in unloading materials and verifying process steps.
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Related Pathways
Advanced Manufacturing
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
