How to hire a chemical engineering internship

How to hire a chemical engineering internship, step by step

Here's a step-by-step chemical engineering internship hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a chemical engineering internship job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new chemical engineering internship
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The chemical engineering internship hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A chemical engineering internship's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, chemical engineering interns from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of chemical engineering interns.

   Type of Chemical Engineering Internship	Description	Hourly rate
   Chemical Engineering Internship	Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing, plan and test production methods and byproducts treatment, and direct facility operations.	$25-52
   Research And Development Engineer	Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies... Show more	$35-64
   Manufacturing Engineer	Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for handling and developing an efficient manufacturing system or procedure that will help a company produce up to standard products while in adherence to the policies, regulations, and expected cost and schedule. Furthermore, Manufacturing Engineers must also monitor quality control, identify or detect errors, provide and suggest improvements, oversee the procurement of materials involved in the production, and coordinate with various teams or departments within the company to ensure the effectiveness of innovations or new developments.	$28-49

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Chemical Engineering
   • Flow Diagrams
   • Process Improvement
   • Safety Procedures
   • Instrumentation Diagrams
   • R
   • Sigma
   • Data Analysis
   • Process Control
   • Chemical Plant
   • Product Quality
   • Plant Operations
   • Field Testing
   • Data Collection

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead investigation of plant malfunction for submission to EPA.
   • Programme VBA tool to organize and manage operator-supply production data into a comprehensive data set.
   • Assist with chemical etching and electro-polishing (EP) processes.
   • Plan and coordinate work with different agencies for installing and commissioning of the HVAC systems.
   • Install SBT controllers, providing input on their aesthetic use in the HVAC systems at various projects.
   • Produce an adaptation layer that allow for common code between Linux kernel, BSD kernel, and user-space implementations.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your chemical engineering internship job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A chemical engineering internship salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, chemical engineering interns' average salary in kansas is 47% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level chemical engineering interns earn 53% less than senior-level chemical engineering interns.
   • Certifications. A chemical engineering internship with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a chemical engineering internship's salary.

   Average chemical engineering internship salary

   $76,041yearly

   $36.56 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level chemical engineering internship salary

   $52,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 27, 2025

4. Writing a chemical engineering internship job description

   A job description for a chemical engineering internship role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a chemical engineering internship job description:

   Chemical engineering internship job description example

   Valdes is a 200-person, multidisciplinary, engineering, architecture, and project management company with an expert focus on technical excellence. Every client project is assigned a dedicated team of professionals who provide personalized services and solutions. The Valdes success model consists of streamlined work processes, attention to detail, technical expertise, and an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction, safety and quality.
   
   Valdes is guided by our purpose statement: We are talented people who thrive and achieve extraordinary results for our customers.
   Our core values reflect who we are, how we perform and what we aspire to:
   Integrity Critical Thinking Excellence Teamwork Passion
   
   Valdes proudly executes all work in the United States to maintain the utmost quality for our clients. We are a certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) and hold the following certifications:
   National Minority Supplier Development Council - MBE Certification
   Illinois Department of Central Management Services - BEP Certification
   City of Chicago - MBE Certification
   California Public Utilities Commission, The Supplier Clearinghouse - MBE Certification
   Professional Advancement Through mentoring and coaching, you will learn the professional aspects and business of process engineering You will be part of a team of process engineers working on a variety of heavy industrial related projects.If necessary, you may visit the field to gather information for design as well as see projects under construction.
   QualificationsMust be in the process of completing a BS or MS degree from an accredited university in the field of Chemical Engineering Excellent communication skills Excellent technical knowledge of chemical engineering that allows out-of-box analysis on unique projects Willingness to learn and invest in professional development Must be able to work in the US without sponsorship now or in the future
   Valdes Architecture & Engineering Company is looking for bright and talented people that want to take their career to the next level. We offer many rewarding career paths to challenge and engage our employees at all phases of their careers. Our office provides a team environment, and excellent working conditions, which allow individuals to maximize their potential. Valdes Engineering offers an outstanding benefits package including Medical, Dental, 401K plan, Company paid Long Term and Short Term Disability Insurance, Company paid Life and AD&D Insurance, Pet Insurance, a discounted gym membership and tuition reimbursement.
   EEO/AAE

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right chemical engineering internship for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your chemical engineering internship job on Zippia to find and recruit chemical engineering internship candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit chemical engineering interns, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new chemical engineering internship

   Once you have selected a candidate for the chemical engineering internship position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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