Metallurgical-Materials Engineer
A Metallurgical-Materials Engineer specializes in the development and testing of materials to create a wide range of products across various industries, including technology, aerospace, and transportation. These engineers play a critical role in the formulation of metals, alloys, and synthetic materials, utilizing advanced equipment to process and purify metals from ores and to conduct mechanical testing to assess properties like strength and flexibility. The work environment typically involves laboratory and office settings, where engineers may engage in design or production tasks, often collaborating with other professionals in research and development teams.
To enter this field, a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related area is required, along with a strong foundation in mathematics and physics. Job prospects are promising, with a median annual salary of approximately $104,100 and an expected growth rate of 7% over the next decade, indicating a demand for innovative materials and manufacturing techniques. Metallurgical-Materials Engineers must be detail-oriented and equipped to navigate complex challenges, making their role crucial in advancing engineering solutions across diverse applications.
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Subject Terms
Metallurgical-Materials Engineer
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Interests: Mathematics, physics, construction, solving problems
Earnings (Yearly Median): $104,100 per year $50.05 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 7% (Faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Metallurgical and materials engineers develop and test materials to make a wide variety of products. Metallurgical and materials development is used in a variety of fields; the technology and computer science industries, for instance, employ materials engineers to develop materials used in the construction of computer chips and other parts, while the aerospace and transportation industries employ materials scientists to develop aircraft wings, automotive bodies, and a variety of other objects.
Metallurgical engineers need to know how to use a variety of specialized equipment to heat and blend metals. These processes are important parts of developing new alloys, which are liquid or solid mixtures of two or more types of metal. Metallurgical engineers also develop methods used to process metal ore into purified metals. Materials engineers sometimes work with metal but may also work with synthetic materials such as plastic and silicon. They work to develop methods for manufacturing and working with various materials, as well as testing methods to evaluate the mechanical characteristics of various materials, including tensile strength, flexibility, and durability.
Work Environment. Materials and metallurgical engineers generally work full-time and tend to work in laboratory or research office settings. Materials engineers who focus on the design aspects of the field typically work on a computer. Others spend most of their time in a laboratory setting, either working on formulating new materials or running various tests on experimental materials.
Most materials and metallurgical engineers work during regular weekday hours, and most positions are salaried rather than for hourly wages. Overtime and evening work are generally not required but may be necessary in some instances, such as when a project is approaching a deadline. Some engineers may serve in supervisory roles, helping to manage teams of engineers or research assistants working on various design, testing, or manufacturing processes.
Occupation Interest. Those pursuing a metallurgical or material engineering career should have a strong interest in mathematics, physics, and practical construction. Materials engineers must be highly detail-oriented and comfortable with complex challenges. Engineers benefit from broad training in mathematics and science before specializing in one or more engineering fields, as many activities specific to engineering utilize these skills.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The typical day for a metallurgical or materials engineer will vary according to specific subfields or specializations. While some engineers focus on materials design, others focus on the physical creation of new materials in laboratory settings. Some metallurgical and materials engineers divide their time between design and production activities.
In most cases, materials engineers work to produce materials that meet the specifications created by teams of individuals who work on other aspects of the design process; for instance, a materials engineer might work with a mechanical engineer to address requirements such as the density, flexibility, and mechanical strength of a specific material. Metallurgical and materials engineers also spend part of their time testing the characteristics of materials to determine how useful they will be for the manufacture of various objects. Materials engineers subject materials to various highly specialized tests as part of the development process. In the aerospace field, for instance, materials used in constructing aircraft wings must undergo wind testing to determine how well the materials hold up when subjected to conditions similar to those at high altitudes and speeds.
Engineers must often prepare and conduct various evaluations as they complete various aspects of their jobs. For instance, an engineer producing a new type of metal must often produce reports on various economic and budgetary factors, including labor and materials-sourcing costs and the estimated cost of producing materials, given various design and component options. Engineers who work in a managerial capacity must also supervise and evaluate the performance of subordinate staff working on different aspects of the production or testing process.
Metallographers (011.061-014). Metallographers conduct tests to develop new and improved metals and alloys and improve production methods.
Extractive Metallurgists (011.061-018). Extractive metallurgists extract metals from ores through processes such as smelting or refining, develop uses for scrap metal and low-grade ores, control temperature, and charge mixture furnaces.
Physical Metallurgists (011.061-022). Physical metallurgists study the structure of metals to develop new alloys, new uses for metals through alloying, and ways to produce them commercially.
Welding Engineers (011.061-026). Welding engineers specialize in developing and applying welding equipment and welding techniques for hard-to-weld metal alloys and assemblies.
Materials Engineers (019.061-014). Materials engineers evaluate technical and economic factors towards the recommendation of engineering and manufacturing strategies to attain the design objectives of products and processes by applying their knowledge of material science and related technologies.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Materials and metallurgical engineers typically work in office or laboratory environments. Those involved primarily in the design and planning process are more likely to do most of their work in an office environment, utilizing computer design software to create schematic diagrams of devices and materials. Those involved in the physical production or testing of materials are more likely to work in laboratory environments and generally work with highly specialized equipment and technology. Many of the techniques and processes used in metallurgical or materials engineering can present physical dangers, so laboratories where development occurs must be outfitted with safety equipment and systems.
Plant Environment. Production plants are common in materials engineering, as many of the products developed and produced by engineers in these fields require large-scale production. Metallurgical plants need several specialized machines to build or test metals; these often involve furnaces used to melt and heat metals. In addition, metallurgical machine shops often have specialized devices to cut, carve, and bend metal for different applications. Materials engineers working in shops that do not produce metals may have different equipment at their disposal. Engineers working with plastics may use specialized ovens to melt and heat plastics and machines designed to carve and stamp plastic pieces. In both metallurgical and materials-engineering plants, computer-aided devices are used for various tests; some machines are large and complex enough to be housed individually in separate premises from the rest of the shop.
Human Environment. Metallurgical and materials engineers often work as part of an overall research-and-development team, along with other engineers, chemists, research technicians, machinists, computer specialists, and designers. In addition, engineers may work closely with individuals from other company branches, including executive managers, supervisors, and acquisition or purchasing specialists who obtain raw materials and equipment used in the development process.
Technological Environment. Engineering laboratories often use highly specialized equipment that has been manufactured specifically for certain types of tests or engineering procedures. Engineers must frequently engage in continuing education to learn about new software and equipment in their field, and many companies may pay employees to attend seminars and symposiums to meet this job requirement.
Those working on the design component of the job often work with computer-aided design software like AutoDesk AutoCAD or Dassault Systemes SolidWorks, as well as other programs that enable the creation of specialized three-dimensional models that can be manipulated as part of the testing and development process. Others may also use analytical or scientific software like Minitab or MathWorks MATLAB. The technology engineers use to create and test materials includes simple mechanical devices, such as saws, hammers, and other hand tools, and highly specialized computer-aided measurement and manufacturing equipment.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students hoping to work in engineering should take mathematics, physics, chemistry, and basic engineering classes. Mathematics classes, including algebra, calculus, and trigonometry, are essential to all engineering fields, but they benefit mechanical and materials engineers in industrial design and manufacturing. In addition, if available, training in computer operation, drafting, and design is helpful for those hoping to train for metallurgical or materials engineering careers. Some high schools offer metalworking and shop classes that can also prove beneficial. Metalworking classes may introduce students to welding, machining, and other processes that are part of manufacturing machined parts.
Postsecondary. Most entry-level engineering jobs require a bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or a related field. Many colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degree programs in engineering, while others offer programs tailored to specific areas. Bachelor’s degree programs in engineering are typically four-year programs that include both classroom and laboratory work to prepare students for careers in the field.
In addition to academic training, many universities and colleges offer programs that allow students to work in professional engineering environments to earn credits toward their degree. Internships and other such cooperative programs provide students with valuable hands-on experience that complements their classroom education and better prepares them for their career pursuits. Some colleges and universities provide five-year combined bachelor’s and master’s programs in which students train professionally and take extra classes to earn a master’s degree after graduation.
Experts in 2023 predicted that the number of jobs for metallurgical-material engineers would increase faster than average, with about 1,700 openings per year from 2023 to 2033. While many of these open positions would be to replace individuals who had retired, others would come from an increased demand for new materials and manufacturing processes.
Related Occupations
− Mining & Geological Engineer
Bibliography
“Materials Engineers.” My Next Move, 2024, www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/17-2131.00. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
“Materials Engineers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/materials-engineers.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
“Materials Engineering.” California State University Northridge University Library, 22 Aug. 2024, libguides.csun.edu/mat. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 17-2131 Materials Engineers.” Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes172131.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.