Materials Engineers :: Job Description

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Materials Engineers

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Summary Description


	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.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Automation Engineer

2.	Ceramic Design Engineer

3.	Ceramic Research Engineer

4.	Ceramics Test Engineer

5.	Corrosion Engineer

6.	Design Engineer

7.	Extractive Metallurgist

8.	Failure Analysis Technician

9.	Forensic Materials Engineer

10.	Foundry Metallurgist

11.	Foundry Process Engineer

12.	Glass Science Engineer

13.	Green Building Materials Designer

14.	Material Analyst

15.	Materials and Processes Manager

16.	Materials Branch Chief

17.	Materials Development Engineer

18.	Materials Engineer

19.	Materials Research Engineer

20.	Metallographer

21.	Metallurgical Engineer

22.	Metallurgical Specialist

23.	Metallurgist

24.	Nanotechnologist

25.	Physical Metallurgist

26.	Plastics Engineer

27.	Plating Engineer

28.	Process Engineer

29.	Project Engineer

30.	Refining Engineer

31.	Research Engineer

32.	Smelting Engineer

33.	Stress Engineer

34.	Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE)

35.	Test Engineer

36.	Testing Engineer

37.	Welding Engineer

Job Tasks

	Review new product plans and make recommendations for material selection based on design objectives, such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost. Evaluate plans or specifications to determine technological or environmental implications. Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.

	Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists. Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.

	Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions. Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.

	Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality. Test characteristics of materials or structures.

	Plan and implement laboratory operations for the purpose of developing material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards. Prepare detailed work plans.

	Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures. Direct quality control activities.

	Monitor material performance and evaluate material deterioration. Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.

	Perform managerial functions, such as preparing proposals and budgets, analyzing labor costs, and writing reports. Prepare proposal documents. Prepare operational reports. Prepare project budgets.

	Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and corporate executives as necessary. Evaluate plans or specifications to determine technological or environmental implications. Prepare detailed work plans. Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.

	Guide technical staff engaged in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices. Direct design or development activities.

	Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives. Evaluate technical data to determine effect on designs or plans.

	Modify properties of metal alloys, using thermal and mechanical treatments.

	Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials. Determine operational methods.

	Solve problems in a number of engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace. Resolve operational performance problems.

	Supervise production and testing processes in industrial settings, such as metal refining facilities, smelting or foundry operations, or nonmetallic materials production operations. Direct industrial production activities.

	Teach in colleges and universities.

	Design processing plants and equipment. Design industrial processing systems.

	Replicate the characteristics of materials and their components with computers. Create models of engineering designs or methods.

	Write for technical magazines, journals, and trade association publications.

	Conduct training sessions on new material products, applications, or manufacturing methods for customers and their employees. Train personnel on proper operational procedures.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — 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.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Materials Engineers
	Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a wide range of products, from computer chips and aircraft wings to golf clubs and biomedical devices. They study the properties and structures of metals, ceramics, plastics, composites, nanomaterials (extremely small substances), and other substances to create new materials that meet certain mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Materials Engineers
	Materials engineers generally work in offices where they have access to computers and design equipment. Others work in factories or research and development laboratories. Materials engineers typically work full time and may work overtime hours when necessary.

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Actress Rachel Weisz's father invented the artificial respirator.

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