Chemical Engineer Contract Jobs in Manchester
Updating results…
97 Contract jobs sorted by:
Date Posted
Date Posted
Rate
Updating results…
97 Contract jobs
Stay Updated on Contract Jobs
Never miss another opportunity with our email alerts.
Save your searches to be notified as soon as new jobs are added.
Refrigeration Engineer -Manchester - Manchester, Greater Manchester
Posted 3 days ago by CITY FACILITIES MANAGEMENT U K LTD
The Asda Refrigeration Engineer role in Manchester is a permanent position focused on planned and reactive refrigeration...
- Rate £51,996 per year
- Category Undetermined
- Work type Undetermined
- Location Manchester, Greater Manchester
AI Engineer (Contract) - AI Cloud
Posted 3 days ago by Hamilton Barnes
The AI Engineer role involves designing, building, and deploying scalable AI/ML and GenAI solutions across the full life...
- Rate Negotiable
- Category Inside
- Work type Hybrid
- Location London, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, Edinburgh , UK
Lead Observability & Data Architect/Engineer (SC/DV Cleared)
Posted 5 days ago by GIOS Technology Limited
The role of Lead Observability & Data Architect/Engineer (SC/DV Cleared) involves designing and scaling critical monitor...
- Rate Negotiable
- Category Undetermined
- Work type Hybrid
- Location Hybrid - London/Reading/Birmingham/Manchester/Glasgow/Liverpool/Newcastle , UK
Sort By
Saved Searches
No saved searches yet
Filters
IR35 Status
Working Arrangements
Industry
Sector
Country
Seniority Level
Posted By
Contract Rate
Date Posted
IR35 Status
Working Arrangements
Industry
Sector
Posted By
Country
Seniority Level
Date Posted
Contract Rate
£
—
£
About Our Chemical Engineer Contract Roles in Manchester
What does a chemical engineer contractor do?
As a contract Chemical Engineer, you are hired to apply chemical engineering principles to the design, operation, optimisation, and troubleshooting of industrial processes across a range of sectors including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, food and beverage, water treatment, and energy. Contract engagements arise most commonly on capital projects requiring process design and engineering, during plant turnarounds or shutdowns where additional engineering capacity is needed, on regulatory compliance and safety review programmes, and when organisations need specialist process knowledge that their permanent team does not hold. Chemical Engineer contractors typically work on either front-end design and feasibility work or detailed engineering and commissioning phases depending on their specialism.
Clients expect Chemical Engineer contractors to bring vary by discipline and sector. Process design contractors need proficiency in simulation tools such as Aspen HYSYS or CHEMCAD for modelling and optimising chemical processes, alongside strong knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and mass and energy balance principles. Those working in regulated sectors such as pharmaceuticals need familiarity with GMP requirements and process validation methodologies. Across all Chemical Engineer contract roles, experience with process safety including HAZOP facilitation and understanding of DSEAR and ATEX requirements is widely expected. Chartered Engineer status with IChemE is well regarded and influences both the seniority of available roles and the day rate achievable.
What is the market like for chemical engineer contractors?
The Chemical Engineer contract market is a specialist market concentrated in the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemicals sectors, with additional demand from utilities, food processing, and energy transition projects. North Sea decommissioning and offshore maintenance programmes continue to generate contract demand, while the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors produce consistent project-based chemical engineering work particularly around new facility design and process scale-up. The energy transition is creating new demand for chemical engineering expertise in hydrogen, carbon capture, and biofuels. Rates are influenced by the specialist nature of the discipline and the safety-critical environments in which many chemical engineers work.
What is the contracting market like in Manchester?
Manchester has established itself as the strongest contractor hub outside London, supported by a diverse economy spanning financial services, technology, media, and the public sector. MediaCityUK at Salford Quays anchors a cluster of digital, creative, and broadcasting employers, while Spinningfields and the wider city centre house the financial and professional services concentration. Several major insurers and banks run significant operations from Manchester, and the technology sector has matured considerably, with both established firms and scale-ups competing for software engineering, cloud, and data contractors. The rate gap with London has narrowed over the past few years as employer competition for experienced contractors in the city has intensified, and for many disciplines Manchester now offers comparable depth of opportunity at a materially lower cost base.
How much do chemical engineer contractors usually earn in Manchester?
Contract rates for chemical engineer roles in Manchester typically range from £350 to £650 per day, depending on the scope of the role, required expertise, and the delivery expectations of the engagement.
How many chemical engineer vacancies in Manchester are there on Quality Contracts?
Over the past twelve months, we have tracked over 100 chemical engineer contract roles across the site, with Manchester accounting for a significant portion. Data reviewed up to June 2026.