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.
At a Glance
Materials Engineers earns a median of $108,310/yr with +5.7% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks, C, Autodesk AutoCAD.
$108,310/yr
+5.7%
2
Bachelor's degree
Skills & Requirements
Skills (10)
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Knowledge (8)
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Abilities (18)
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Technology (16)
Work Activities (27)
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Work Styles (2)
A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Architecture and Engineering · 207 shared skills
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer and Mathematical · 205 shared skills
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Computer and Mathematical · 203 shared skills
Manufacturing Engineers
Architecture and Engineering · 203 shared skills
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Management · 203 shared skills
Computer Systems Analysts
Computer and Mathematical · 202 shared skills
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Architecture and Engineering · 202 shared skills
Mechanical Engineers
Architecture and Engineering · 202 shared skills
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