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Materials Engineers
Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.
Other titles employers use
Extrusion Engineer · Materials Development Engineer · Materials Engineer · Materials Research Engineer · Metallurgical Engineer · Metallurgist · Research Engineer · Test Engineer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
- Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
- Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
- Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
- Modify properties of metal alloys, using thermal and mechanical treatments.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Science
- Complex Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Subjects to know
- Engineering and Technology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.6 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.7 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.5 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 48%
- A doctorate or professional degree 38%
- A master's degree 14%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Development environment software
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 3,400
- Job openings each year
- 220
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 9.7%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3,400 | 220 | 9.7% |
| Texas | 3,120 | 230 | 21.9% |
| Ohio | 1,550 | 100 | 2.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,150 | 70 | 4.5% |
| Maryland | 1,060 | 70 | 7.1% |
| Alabama | 800 | 50 | 12.7% |
| Florida | 760 | 50 | 13.4% |
| Washington | 730 | 70 | 19.7% |
| South Carolina | 720 | 50 | 18.0% |
| Georgia | 680 | 50 | 11.5% |
| New York | 680 | 0 | 3.0% |
| Michigan | 660 | 40 | 3.1% |
| Colorado | 540 | 40 | 12.5% |
| Virginia | 500 | 30 | 8.7% |
| Tennessee | 490 | 30 | 14.0% |
| Oregon | 470 | 30 | 11.9% |
| North Carolina | 450 | 30 | 12.5% |
| Connecticut | 440 | 30 | 29.4% |
| Utah | 440 | 40 | 33.3% |
| Arizona | 420 | 30 | 16.7% |
| Wisconsin | 410 | 30 | 13.9% |
| Indiana | 400 | 30 | 5.3% |
| Kentucky | 370 | 30 | 12.1% |
| Missouri | 370 | 30 | 15.6% |
| New Jersey | 370 | 20 | 5.7% |
| Iowa | 350 | 20 | 12.9% |
| Minnesota | 310 | 20 | 6.9% |
| Kansas | 300 | 20 | 15.4% |
| Illinois | 290 | 20 | 3.6% |
| Oklahoma | 280 | 20 | 3.7% |
| Massachusetts | 240 | 20 | 4.3% |
| Idaho | 230 | 20 | 15.0% |
| Mississippi | 170 | 10 | 30.8% |
| District of Columbia | 160 | 10 | — |
| Nebraska | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| Louisiana | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Delaware | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| Nevada | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| West Virginia | 90 | 10 | 28.6% |
| Arkansas | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Maine | 70 | 0 | — |
| Montana | 70 | 0 | — |
| New Hampshire | 60 | 0 | — |
| Alaska | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Rhode Island | 30 | 0 | 50.0% |
| Wyoming | 20 | 0 | — |
| North Dakota | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
- Degrees each year
- 231
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Degrees each year
- 92
- Admit rate
- 44%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Colorado School of Mines
- Degrees each year
- 61
- Admit rate
- 60%
- Annual cost after aid
- $22,000
University of Florida
- Degrees each year
- 58
- Admit rate
- 24%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
Purdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 56
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Ohio State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 54
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Degrees each year
- 53
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 52
- Admit rate
- 16%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Compare every college offering ceramic sciences and engineering