What Do Materials Engineers Do

In a broad range of manufactured goods, materials engineering professions include the research, production, and testing of materials needed. Those with a career in materials science engineering will work to find new applications for existing materials or use basic material types such as metals, ceramics, plastics, semiconductors, and composites to produce brand-new substances that meet a particular project’s requirements.

The engineering of materials includes the advanced study of materials at the atomic and electrochemical stages. Often material engineers concentrate on a specific material form, such as metals (metallurgical engineering) or ceramics (ceramic engineering). They may be interested in the recycling of materials, in addition to the design and production of materials, or in ensuring their effective and productive production. In a wide range of manufacturing industries where the precision of material components is important, these skills are indispensable.

Materials Engineering Career Opportunities

Careers in materials science and engineering typically start on the technical side of the industry, such as production or research and development. Materials engineers generally focus on the production of primary materials, the production of end products using primary materials, or services such as consultancy or engineering firms. In consultancy, sales or management, others go on to work. While almost every form of industry needs material engineers, most work in the aerospace manufacturing industry, in architectural or engineering services, or the manufacturing of semiconductors and electronics. Keep an eye out for job titles such as manufacturing engineer, process engineer, or materials production engineer in your work quest.

Career  prospects in Materials Science and Engineering

Products engineers will have a crucial role to play as manufacturing companies continue to look for more effective new materials, integrate recycled or reused materials, and pursue pioneering biotechnological and nanotechnological solutions.

Materials Engineering Colleges

Associate Degree in Materials Engineering: Sometimes, to start working as an engineer, a bachelor’s degree is required, but 2-year associate degree programs are available in materials engineering technology or materials science, enabling the degree holder to start working in a technician’s capacity or move to a 4-year program.

Materials Engineering Bachelor’s Degree: Materials science and engineering careers typically start with a bachelor’s degree, either in the general field of materials science and engineering or in one of the specialty fields such as metallurgy or polymers. Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degrees are offered by a few colleges.

Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in Materials Engineering: If you have a bachelor’s degree in materials engineering or a related field, with a graduate degree in the subject, such as a Master of Science, Master of Engineering (ME), or Ph.D. degree, you may choose to deepen your knowledge and enhance your job marketability. A master’s degree takes one to two years to complete, and one to two years beyond that might be needed for a Ph.D.

Salaries

The U.S. according to The estimated national annual wage for materials engineers is $92,390. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Actual wages can vary greatly depending on field specialization, venue, years of experience, and some other variables. National long-term employment growth forecasts do not reflect economic or employment conditions at local and/or short-term levels and do not guarantee actual job growth.