Materials Engineer is a well-paid profession that offers various specializations and higher-ranking positions. There are three distinct workplaces for a materials engineer, some will find work in offices, designing and developing processes that create materials. Others could work in factories, closer to production and machinery and finally, in research laboratories where they create new processes, materials, etc.
They mostly work full time and overtime is not a rare occurrence. Great analyzing skills and even better computational and technical knowledge along with a deep understanding of thermodynamics and production processing are only a part of what makes a great materials engineer.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to BLS, In May 2018, the median pay for a materials engineering job was $92 390, $44.42 per hour. The pay for entry-level positions are around $57,000, while top 10% positions, requiinge more knowledge and experience, bring more than $148,000.
The median annual wages for materials engineers varies from industry to industry. It ranges from from over $107,800 in R&D in the engineering, physical, and life sciences to over 94,000 in computer and electronic product development and over $81,000 in the primary metal manufacturingsector.
From 2018 to 2028, the employement rate is not expected to change considerably. While they are needed in various industries, like aerospace, medical, and product materials production, most materials engineers are employed in the manufacturing industry, which won't change much in the next ten years.
Job Responsibilities
Responsibilities depend on the type of materials engineering job and field of work. However, some duties are almost always present:
Closely working with other engineers, designers, and supply teams
One of the main duties material engineers have is to optimize the materials and also the process by which they are created. They have to reduce costs and increase the yield.
Check if the factory or lab equipment is properly maintained and up-to-date.
One of the main duties for those engineers that pursue a laboratory career will be to assist lab technicians with the testing setup and ensure the testing goes as planned.
Performing mechanical tests on materials is another responsibility almost any materials engineer will be tasked with.
Following the latest materials processing technologies
Executing or overseeing the development of polymers, bioplastics, additives and so on.
Every engineer, in general, has to keep up with the research news and technologies, they also have to have great communication skills, both written and verbal, materials engineers are not an exception.
Job Specializations
Job specializations for materials engineers can undertake may vary little from university to university. Here are some of the most popular ones.
Biomaterials
With biomaterials, engineers will place their careers in health care, medical and manufacturing sectors. They will be equipped with the knowledge to create innovative solutions to the ever-present problems in health care. Career options are material processing, advanced positions at manufacturing jobs, and sensor development.
Data analytics and Computational materials
All materials engineers analyze data and use advanced modeling techniques to have a better grasp of the selection and discovery of materials and the production processes. However, with this specialization, one will be better equipped to find positions in production process simulation, image and data processing, and faster material discovery.
Manufacturing and Infrastructure
Materials engineers looking for positions in aerospace, automotive, and energy industries should look into becoming qualified with this specialization. Exciting new technologies like 3D printing will be a part of your daily routine.
Here you will learn about sustainable materials production, high-temperature processing, corrosion, etc.
Smart materials and devices
This is for all engineers that want to be a part of the fast-paced technology that is changing our future with every passing moment. If you want to achieve the desired electronic and magnetic properties you will have to know more about nanomaterials, thin films, coatings, and microfabrication.
With this specialization, you won't be equipped just for designing and developing materials for computational technology but also for developing new materials for solar cells and batteries. This also means finding new ways to make electric vehicles more accessible and more appealing to the public.
Job Requirements
Almost every entry materials engineering job will require a bachelor's degree in materials engineering. However, there are advanced positions that alongside experience also require a master's degree in a specific field.
Bachelor's programs at various universities provide training and some experience in fieldwork, they also teach the basics of the software used on the job. Besides learning about the software during the program, every student should get familiar and even comfortable with three-dimensional modeling, Microsoft office, and other more specific software like MatLab and Mathcad, Octave, Origin, etc.
In some parts of the U.S., materials engineers have to be fully licensed, which means they have to pass a series of tests even after they have their degrees. On the other hand, licensing is not a standard job requirement. It is probably because most materials engineers work for larger private companies and rarely for state or public owned.
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