Become A Materials Process Engineer
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Working As A Materials Process Engineer
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Interacting With Computers
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Deal with People
$74,742
Average Salary
What Does A Materials Process Engineer Do
Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a 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. They also help select materials for specific products, develop new ways to use existing materials, and develop new materials.
DutiesMaterials engineers typically do the following:
- Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and managers as necessary
- Prepare proposals and budgets, analyze labor costs, write reports, and perform other managerial tasks
- Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists
- Design and direct the testing of processing procedures
- Monitor how materials perform and evaluate how they deteriorate
- Determine causes of product failure and develop ways of overcoming such failure
- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to the design objectives of processes or products
Materials engineers create and study materials at an atomic level. They use computers to replicate the characteristics of materials and their components. They solve problems in a number of engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace.
Materials engineers may specialize in understanding specific types of materials. The following are examples of types of materials engineers:
Ceramic engineers develop ceramic materials and the processes for making them into useful products, from high-temperature rocket nozzles to glass for LCD flat-panel displays.
Composites engineers develop materials with special, engineered properties for applications in aircraft, automobiles, and related products.
Metallurgical engineers specialize in metals, such as steel and aluminum, usually in alloyed form with additions of other elements to provide specific properties.
Plastics engineers develop and test new plastics, known as polymers, for new applications.
Semiconductor processing engineers apply materials science and engineering principles to develop new microelectronic materials for computing, sensing, and related applications.
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How To Become A Materials Process Engineer
Materials engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering or in a related engineering field. Completing internships and cooperative engineering programs while in school can be helpful in getting a position as a materials engineer.
EducationStudents interested in studying materials engineering should take high school courses in mathematics, such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus; in science, such as biology, chemistry, and physics; and in computer programming.
Entry-level jobs as a materials engineer require a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degree programs include classroom and laboratory work focusing on engineering principles.
Some colleges and universities offer a 5-year program leading to both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. A graduate degree, which may be at the Ph.D. level, allows an engineer to work as a postsecondary teacher or to do research and development.
Many colleges and universities offer internships and cooperative programs in partnership with industry. In these programs, students gain practical experience while completing their education.
Many engineering programs are accredited by ABET. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have graduated from an accredited program. A degree from an ABET-accredited program is usually necessary to become a licensed professional engineer.
Important QualitiesAnalytical skills. Materials engineers often work on projects related to other fields of engineering. They must determine how materials will be used and how they must be structured to withstand different conditions.
Math skills. Materials engineers use the principals of calculus and other advanced topics in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.
Problem-solving skills. Materials engineers must understand the relationship between materials’ structures, their properties, how they are made, and how these factors affect the products they are used to make. They must also figure out why a product might have failed, design a solution, and then conduct tests to make sure that the product does not fail again. These skills involve being able to identify root causes when many factors could be at fault.
Speaking skills. While working with technicians, technologists, and other engineers, materials engineers must state concepts and directions clearly. When speaking with managers, these engineers must also be able to communicate engineering concepts to people who may not have an engineering background.
Writing skills. Materials engineers must write plans and reports clearly so that people without a materials engineering background can understand the concepts.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsLicensure for materials engineers is not as common as it is for other engineering occupations, nor it is required for entry-level positions. A Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows for higher levels of leadership and independence, can be acquired later in one’s career. Licensed engineers are called professional engineers (PEs). A PE can oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State licensure generally requires
- A degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program
- A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
- Relevant work experience, typically at least 4 years
- A passing score on the Professional Engineering (PE) exam
The initial Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam can be taken after graduation from college. Engineers who pass this exam are commonly called engineers in training (EITs) or engineer interns (EIs). After meeting work experience requirements, EITs and EIs can take the second exam, called the Principles and Practice of Engineering.
Several states require continuing education for engineers to keep their license. Most states recognize licensure from other states if the licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed their own requirements.
Certification in the field of metallography, the science and art of dealing with the structure of metals and alloys, is available through ASM International and other materials science organizations.
Additional training in fields directly related to metallurgy and materials’ properties, such as corrosion or failure analysis, is available through ASM International.
AdvancementJunior materials engineers usually work under the supervision of experienced engineers. In large companies, new engineers may receive formal training in classrooms or seminars. As engineers gain knowledge and experience, they move on to more difficult projects where they have greater independence to develop designs, solve problems, and make decisions.
Eventually, materials engineers may advance to become technical specialists or to supervise a team of engineers and technicians. Many become engineering managers or move into other managerial positions or sales work. An engineering background is useful in sales because it enables sales engineers to discuss a product’s technical aspects and assist in product planning, installation, and use. For more information, see the profiles on architectural and engineering managers and sales engineers.
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Materials Process Engineer jobs
Materials Process Engineer Career Paths
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Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer 5.2 years
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Senior Manufacturing Engineer 5.2 years
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Principal Engineer 4.7 years
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Senior Materials Engineer 4.5 years
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Staff Process Engineer 4.5 years
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Senior Process Engineer 4.5 years
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Process Engineering Manager 4.3 years
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Senior Product Engineer 4.3 years
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Senior Process And Quality Engineer 4.2 years
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Senior Quality Engineer 4.2 years
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Senior Development Engineer 4.1 years
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Materials Process Engineer 4.0 years
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Manufacturing Quality Engineer 3.9 years
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Industrial Process Engineer 3.7 years
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Process Engineer 3.5 years
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Mechanical Engineer 3.4 years
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Senior Project Engineer 3.4 years
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Process Engineer Lead 3.3 years
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Material Engineer 3.2 years
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Sustaining Engineer 3.1 years
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Process Development 3.1 years
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Engineering Associate 3.1 years
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Process Design Engineer 3.0 years
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Programming Engineer 2.9 years
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Chemical Engineer 2.9 years
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Associate Process Engineer 2.5 years
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Co-Operations Engineer 1.2 years
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Process Engineer 13.2%
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Material Engineer 11.8%
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Research Assistant 7.0%
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Quality Engineer 5.2%
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Chemical Engineer 5.2%
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Project Engineer 4.5%
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Internship 4.2%
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Engineer 3.5%
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Product Developer 3.5%
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Mechanical Engineer 3.5%
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Consulting Engineer 3.1%
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Research Engineer 2.8%
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Researcher 2.8%
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Manufacturing Engineer 10.8%
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Process Engineer 10.0%
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Material Engineer 8.9%
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Project Engineer 6.3%
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Senior Engineer 5.9%
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Quality Engineer 5.6%
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Engineering Manager 3.7%
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Principal Engineer 3.7%
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Material Processor 3.7%
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Materials Inspector 3.3%
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Project Manager 3.0%
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Consultant 3.0%
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Chemical Engineer 3.0%
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Staff Engineer 2.6%
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Program Manager 2.6%
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Engineer 2.6%
Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Materials Process Engineer
Top Careers After Materials Process Engineer
Materials Process Engineer Demographics
Gender
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Male
74.3% -
Female
23.3% -
Unknown
2.4%
Ethnicity
-
White
73.4% -
Asian
13.8% -
Hispanic or Latino
10.5% -
Unknown
1.6% -
Black or African American
0.7%
Languages Spoken
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Spanish
40.0% -
French
8.0% -
Cantonese
8.0% -
Mandarin
8.0% -
Korean
8.0% -
Portuguese
4.0% -
Chinese
4.0% -
German
4.0% -
Greek
4.0% -
Carrier
4.0% -
Tagalog
4.0% -
Polish
4.0%
Materials Process Engineer
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Materials Process Engineer Education
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Arizona State University
7.8% -
Wichita State University
7.8% -
University of Utah
6.7% -
Ohio State University
6.7% -
University of Florida
5.6% -
University of Central Florida
5.6% -
Pennsylvania State University
5.6% -
University of Toledo
5.6% -
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
5.6% -
San Jose State University
4.4% -
University of Washington
4.4% -
Iowa State University
4.4% -
University of Phoenix
4.4% -
University of Arizona
4.4% -
Winona State University
4.4% -
University of Alabama
3.3% -
Washington University in Saint Louis
3.3% -
University of South Florida
3.3% -
Florida Institute of Technology-Melbourne
3.3% -
Southern Methodist University
3.3% -
Chemical Engineering 15.3%
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Mechanical Engineering 11.6%
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Business 11.2%
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Chemistry 7.5%
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Engineering 4.1%
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Management 3.0%
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Materials Sciences 3.0%
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Plastics Engineering 3.0%
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Finance 2.2%
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Physics 1.9%
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Aviation 1.5%
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Bachelors
45.1% -
Masters
33.4% -
Other
8.6% -
Doctorate
6.7% -
Certificate
4.3% -
Associate
1.8%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Materials Process Engineer
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Materials Process Engineer Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Materials Process Engineer | Diamond Foundry Inc. | San Carlos, CA | Sep 17, 2015 | $110,000 |
| Principal Materials Process Engineer | Diamond Foundry Inc. | San Carlos, CA | Dec 29, 2015 | $110,000 |
| Principal Materials Process Engineer | Diamond Foundry Inc. | San Carlos, CA | Oct 24, 2014 | $110,000 |
| Principal Materials Process Engineer | Paragon Mining Inc. | San Carlos, CA | May 21, 2014 | $110,000 |
| Principal Materials Process Engineer | Diamond Foundry Inc. | San Carlos, CA | May 21, 2014 | $110,000 |
| Senior MIM Materials & Process Engineer | ATW Companies, Inc. | East Providence, RI | Jan 05, 2015 | $100,000 |
| Materials and Processes Engineer | Superfici America, Inc. | Concord, NC | Aug 26, 2016 | $98,000 |
| Materials Process Engineer | Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | Franklin Town, MA | Aug 24, 2010 | $91,570 |
| Materials and Process Engineer, Flammability Engineer | Encore Interiros, Inc. | Irvine, CA | Dec 01, 2014 | $91,500 |
| Materials & Process Engineer | The Boeing Company | Everett, WA | Sep 21, 2009 | $91,233 |
| Materials Process Engineer (Electrospinning) | Harvard Bioscience, Inc. | Holliston, MA | Oct 01, 2012 | $90,000 |
| Materials, Process & Physics Engineer | The Boeing Company | Everett, WA | May 06, 2011 | $90,000 - $113,000 |
| SR. Materials/Process Engineer | L.J. Gonzer Associates | Yorktown Heights, NY | Apr 25, 2015 | $87,360 |
| Materials Process Engineer | Advanced Renewableenergy Company LLC | Nashua, NH | Sep 19, 2012 | $85,000 - $95,000 |
| Materials Process Engineer | L.J. Gonzer Associates | Yorktown Heights, NY | Dec 05, 2011 | $81,120 |
| Materials Process Engineer | L.J. Gonzer Associates | Yorktown Heights, NY | Oct 01, 2011 | $81,120 |
| Materials and Process Engineer | Octex Holdings, LLC | Sarasota, FL | Jan 03, 2016 | $80,018 |
| Materials Process Engineer | Advanced Renewableenergy Company LLC | Nashua, NH | Dec 15, 2011 | $80,000 - $100,000 |
| Material & Process Engineer, Specialist | Lg Fuel Cell Systems, Inc. | North Canton, OH | Nov 21, 2015 | $78,773 |
| Materials Processing Engineer | Ellwood National Crankshaft | PA | Mar 24, 2012 | $78,750 |
| Materials and Process Engineer | Tribocor Technologies, Inc. | Stafford, TX | Nov 12, 2010 | $73,500 |
| Material & Process Engineer, Specialist | Lg Fuel Cell Systems, Inc. | North Canton, OH | Nov 20, 2012 | $70,845 |
| Materials and Process Engineer | Ilkem Marble & Granite Inc. | Cherry Hill, NJ | Jan 09, 2016 | $70,645 |
| Materials and Process Engineer | Learjet Inc. | Wichita, KS | Oct 20, 2011 | $70,138 |
| Material & Process Engineer, Specialist | Rolls-Royce Fuel Cells Systems (Us) Inc. | North Canton, OH | Jan 01, 2012 | $69,093 |
| Laser Materials Processing Engineer | Csquared Innovations, Inc. | Farmington Hills, MI | Sep 05, 2013 | $67,000 |
| Laser Materials Processing Engineer | Csquared Innovations, Inc. | Novi, MI | May 01, 2015 | $67,000 |
| Materials/Process Engineer | Nexsun Ethanol, LLC | Ulysses, KS | Jan 01, 2011 | $65,790 |
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Top Skills for A Materials Process Engineer
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Top Materials Process Engineer Skills
- Procedures
- Failure Analysis
- Aerospace Applications
- Developed corrective procedures to bring subcontractors back into compliance.
- Support of Space Shuttle program fuel system, composite leading edge failure analysis, structural design support.
- Conducted mechanical property/microstructure characterization of spray formed, damage tolerant aluminum and aluminum-lithium alloy materials for elevated temperature aerospace applications.
- Worked in laboratory setting including precision clean rooms (Class 100,000).
- Conducted research and development projects, updated operator management systems, aided in product development, and quality control.
Top Materials Process Engineer Employers
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Materials Process Engineer Videos
The Engineering Process: Crash Course Kids #12.2
What's an Engineer? Crash Course Kids #12.1
Process Engineering Seminar / January 2014