Materials Engineer
Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials that create products ranging from computer chips to biomedical devices. They create new materials that meet specific mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements. Materials engineers develop new ways to use existing materials, and they evaluate new projects and consult with other engineers and managers on projects as necessary.
Materials engineers prepare proposals and budgets, analyze labor costs, and write reports. They perform other managerial tasks including supervising technicians, technologists, and other engineers and scientists. They design and direct the testing of processing procedures, monitor how materials perform, and evaluate how materials deteriorate.
Job Overview
Salary
Workplace
How to Start
Job Overview
What does a Materials Engineer do?
Materials engineers are responsible for developing, processing, and testing materials used to create a wide variety of products. These professionals study and evaluate the properties and structure of different materials, including plastics, metal, ceramics, and composites, to create new products.
Materials engineers determine the cause of product failure, and they develop ways to overcome future failures. They also perform other tasks that include providing technical advice on suitable materials, diagnosing faults, and providing advice on planning and conducting inspections, repairs, and maintenance. Additionally, they may also oversee the work of other scientists like technicians and evaluate the technical and economic factors surrounding the design aspects of products.
Data Analysis
Materials engineers perform extensive data analysis of experimental results for ongoing projects to provide supervisor with recommendations for further proceedings. They develop procedures and documentation supporting the data.
Project Management
Materials engineers assist with business development, project delivery and will manage projects from start to completion. They create test procedures, quality plans, and transferrable documents associated with new materials and processes for successful implementation.
Failure Analysis
Failure analysis is a step-by-step process of determining the reason for a particular machine or equipment failure by way of checking, identification, and examination. It means conducting a test within the system and perform a maintenance check that leads you to a conclusion. A failure analysis takes place to prevent further damages.
Team Player
Ensure project team understands the results expected and their role, train, direct and review their work and give feedback as appropriate.
Salary
How much does a Materials Engineer make?
The average annual pay for a Materials Engineer in the United States is $100,738 a year. Salaries can be as high as $158,000 and as low as $38,000, the majority of Materials Engineer salaries currently range between $80,000 (25th percentile) to $116,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $141,500 annually across the United States.
These are 2025 national salary averages and may fluctuate based on location.
Workplace
What does the workplace for a Materials Engineer look like?
Materials engineers often work in offices where they have access to computers and design equipment. Others work in factories or research and development laboratories. Materials engineers may work in teams with scientists and engineers from other backgrounds. Materials engineers may work in a lab and use specialized tools and computer technology to study the atomic structure of materials. Research or educational institutions, manufacturers, or consulting firms may employ you to perform cutting-edge research and innovation. Materials engineers generally work full time. Some materials engineers work more than 40 hours per week.How to Start
How to become a Materials Engineer?
Materials engineers need a bachelor’s degree in materials science, electrical engineering, engineering, or a related engineering field. As a materials engineer, master’s degrees are also common. Your job will be to develop, process, and test materials for other industries to use, such as manufacturing, telecommunications, or civil engineering.
Typical Qualifications:
- Experience with SCADA, SAP 54, C, and CAD Software and systems.
- Demonstrated leadership and problem solving skills.
- Fluency in enterprise resource planning, project design, and report writing.
- Is a critical thinker dedicated to continuous improvement.
- Solid critical thinking skills.
- Experience with Modbus and R Language.
- Expertly skilled in calibration
