Materials Engineers

Career summary

Materials they work with include:

• Metals
• Ceramics
• Plastics
• Semiconductors

New materials are used to improve or refine products ranging from computer chips to snow skis.

Materials engineers find out the special requirements of the products they are working on. For example, they find out if the product needs to be strong or flexible. As they identify potential materials they carry out laboratory tests to find out which materials meet product requirements.

Materials engineers also create new materials when required to meet product needs. For example, they may try to make a plastic that can withstand high temperatures, but still keep its shape. In the laboratory, engineers manipulate the structure of the molecules in substances to make new substances.

They review and interpret the results from all their tests. They try to discover why a material fails and use that information to make modifications. They also test materials to find new ways to use them. Materials engineers write reports and keep detailed records.

Engineers must take into consideration cost and ability to produce materials quickly and easily. They try to identify several materials that will meet product needs so that manufacturers have options to choose from.

Materials engineers who work with metals are called metallurgical engineers. Those who work with nonmetallic materials, such as glass, clay, and fiberglass, are called ceramic engineers.

Related careers

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Bioengineers
• Biomedical Engineers
• Chemical Engineers
• Chemists
• Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Nanotechnologists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to materials engineers.

• Work with metals, ceramics, plastics, semiconductors, and composites to create new materials.
• Analyze test results and other data to determine why products fail and problems occur.
• Consult with other engineers to learn about product requirements.
• Plan and carry out laboratory tests.
• Review material performance. Monitor how materials deteriorate.
• Manipulate the atomic and molecular structure of substances.
• Evaluate technical and economic factors related to producing materials.
• Review plans for new products and recommend appropriate materials.
• Design processing plants and equipment.
• Supervise and guide technical staff who are developing new uses for materials.
• May monitor and prepare labor costs, proposals, and project budgets.
• Use computers to write reports and analyze information.

Common work activities

Materials engineers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Analyze data or information
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Think creatively
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Use computers
• Process information
• Document and record information
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Evaluate information against standards
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Develop goals and strategies
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Schedule work and activities
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Develop and build teams
• Teach others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Control machines and processes
• Guide, direct, and motivate others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, materials engineers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a moderate level of social contact. They talk to other engineers, but also spend time alone in the lab.
• Communicate on a daily basis by telephone, letters, memos, e-mail, and in person.
• Often work as part of a team of engineers.
• Are moderately responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by those they supervise.

Physical work conditions

• Usually work indoors.
• Regularly wear protective or safety gear, such as eye goggles and gloves.
• May be exposed to sound and noise levels that are loud or distracting.
• Are occasionally exposed to contaminants.
• Are sometimes exposed to hazardous conditions and contaminants.

Work performance

• Must fully complete and be very exact in their work. Errors could cause false results and produce materials that do not meet product needs.
• Set most of their tasks and goals independently but sometimes consult with coworkers and supervisors.
• Make most of their decisions and set nearly all their daily tasks and goals without speaking to a supervisor first.
• Work in a somewhat competitive atmosphere in which monthly deadlines must be met.

Hours/travel

• Generally work a regular, 40-hour week.
• May work longer hours to meet deadlines.

Physical demands

Materials engineers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for materials engineers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for materials engineers to be able to:

• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.

Skills and abilities

Materials engineers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.

Use math and science

• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use scientific methods to solve problems.
• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.

Work with people

• Teach others how to do something.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

• Analyze needs and requirements when designing products.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Ceramic Sciences and Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Polymer and Plastics Engineering
• Textile Sciences and Engineering

Other programs of study to consider

• Engineering, General
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Pre-Engineering

Training

To work as a materials engineer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree in materials engineering; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

Most students prepare for this field by earning a bachelor's degree in materials engineering. Many four-year colleges and universities offer this program of study. You may need between four and five years to complete this program.

Some jobs require a master's or doctoral degree (PhD). For instance, if you are interested in teaching materials engineering, you need a PhD. Also, many students go on to graduate school to specialize in an area of materials engineering.

Work experience

You should consider participating in an engineering internship while in college. An internship is usually part of a four-year degree program. It offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

In certain fields employers will seek engineers with a few years of experience in a particular or related field.

On-the-job training

New graduates work under the guidance of experienced engineers. In large companies, you may also receive formal classroom training. You work on more difficult tasks and get more independence in your work as you gain knowledge and experience. The length of training varies by employer and your skills. You may receive up to one year of on-the-job training.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements . Engineers use math and science frequently. Try to take math classes through Trigonometry and science classes through Physics.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)
• Computer Science

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

For entry-level jobs, most employers require applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree in materials engineering. Employers may require a master's degree or higher for research, consulting, and managerial jobs.

Employers prefer to hire materials engineers who are creative and curious. They also look for people who are detail-oriented and analytical. Oral and written communication skills are also important. Employers look for people who can work on a team.

Costs to workers

Some workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues. Workers may have to pay for continuing education classes to keep up with changes in the field.

Licensing/certification

Engineers employed in responsible positions in government or in firms offering services to the public, or who stamp their work as being done by an engineer, must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Getting a license as an engineer-in-training requires:

• an engineering degree from a school approved by the Accrediting Board for Engineering Technology (ABET), or four years of practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer, or a combination of education and working experience; and
• passing a written exam.

Professional engineer licensing requirements include:

• completion of the engineer-in-training requirements;
• four additional years of active practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer or a combination of work experience and education; and
• passing a written exam.

Engineers who wish to be licensed as professional engineers must pay $65 to the State for an initial national exam application. After State approval, engineers must pay for the registration examination from the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. The license renewal fee is $116 every two years. Not all engineers in Washington must be licensed.

For licensing information, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors Licensing Program 
PO Box 9025
Olympia, WA 98507-9025
360.664.1575

#removed EIT fee statement 1/30/18 lh.

For information on testing, contact:

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying 
PO Box 1686
Clemson, SC 29633-1686
800.250.3196

#Checked licensing info, added CTW & updated fees, 2/14/11, cj. Changed renewal fee to $116 from $76 3/18/13 cj. Updated NCEES ph number; updated natl exam fee from $265 to $350, rest ok, 3/2/15 cj. No changes for 2016 update, cj. Removed specific natl exam fee; rest same, 4/10/19 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Materials Engineers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Currently, there is no specific statewide wage information available for materials engineers.

Wages vary by employer and the area of the country. The engineer's level of experience, education, and responsibility all affect wages.

Materials engineers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some employers also provide a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Aerospace product and parts manufacturers
• Engineering companies
• Semiconductor manufacturers

National outlook

This occupation will see little to no growth. Materials engineers will be needed to design uses for new materials in industries, such as aerospace manufacturing, and in industries focused on new medical or scientific products. However most materials engineers work in areas of manufacturing that are not growing.

Job openings will occur as more experienced materials engineers get promoted or retire.

Other resources

American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 
(This website provides a list of engineering-related programs accredited by ABET)
415 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.347.7700

American Coatings Association 
1500 Rhode Island Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20005
202.462.6272

American Composites Manufacturers Association 
2000 N. 15th Street, Ste. 250
Arlington, VA 22201

American Concrete Institute 
38888 Country Club Drive
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
248.848.3700

ASM International--The Materials Information Society 
9639 Kinsman Road
Materials Park, OH 44073
800.336.5152
440.338.5151

Discover Engineering 

eGFI - Dream Up the Future 

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

Nano Science and Technology Institute 

Nanooze 

National Academy of Engineering 
500 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.334.3200

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering 

National Science Foundation 
2415 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia 2231

National Society of Professional Engineers 
1420 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
888.285.6773
703.684.2800

Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering 
21680 Gateway Center Drive, Suite 300
Diamond Bar, CA 91765-2454
626.521.9460

Society of Plastics Engineers 
100 Reserve Rd, Suite B310
Danbury, CT 06810
203.703.5400

Society of Women Engineers 
130 East Randolph Street, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60601
877.793.4636

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society 
5700 Corporate Drive, Suite 750
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
800.759.4867

Washington State Science & Engineering Fair 

References

Career cluster

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Materials Engineers (17-2131.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Materials Engineer (019.061-014) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Engineer

Holland occupational cluster

• Investigative/Realistic/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Technology Professional