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Materials process engineer vs material engineer

The differences between materials process engineers and material engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a materials process engineer has an average salary of $90,788, which is higher than the $86,258 average annual salary of a material engineer.

The top three skills for a materials process engineer include failure analysis, material properties and process specifications. The most important skills for a material engineer are DOD, failure analysis, and data analysis.

Materials process engineer vs material engineer overview

Materials Process EngineerMaterial Engineer
Yearly salary$90,788$86,258
Hourly rate$43.65$41.47
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs79,79589,717
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4141
Years of experience--

What does a materials process engineer do?

Materials Process Engineers are licensed engineers who develop different materials, usually for research or production purposes. They may create new materials derived from existing compounds and materials. Materials Process Engineers must document the processes involved in creating these new materials. They would then study the different elements and specifications of this new material. This would help industries that may need a similar material gauge, whether applicable in their area. Material Process Engineers also work on finding new ways to use existing materials. This would help increase the value of the material since there are more and practical uses for it.

What does a material 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. 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.

Materials process engineer vs material engineer salary

Materials process engineers and material engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Materials Process EngineerMaterial Engineer
Average salary$90,788$86,258
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $118,000Between $65,000 And $113,000
Highest paying CityEverett, WAMenlo Park, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonNew Hampshire
Best paying companyMetaApple
Best paying industryAutomotiveTechnology

Differences between materials process engineer and material engineer education

There are a few differences between a materials process engineer and a material engineer in terms of educational background:

Materials Process EngineerMaterial Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorChemical EngineeringMaterials Science And Engineering
Most common collegeGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology

Materials process engineer vs material engineer demographics

Here are the differences between materials process engineers' and material engineers' demographics:

Materials Process EngineerMaterial Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 78.3% Female, 21.7%Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 18.3% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 2.1% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 19.6% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between materials process engineer and material engineer duties and responsibilities

Materials process engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage and successfully complete carbon/epoxy material qualification and gain approval from FAA to use in manufacturing of composite aircraft parts.
  • Redesign polymer formulations for critical defense and aerospace programs due to chemical obsolescence.
  • Pulled/Analyze data in JMP package.
  • Project manager for electrical and thermo-property testing to ASTM standards.
  • Perform weekly injector, thrust chamber, and gear quality inspection per AES, ASTM, standards and DELMIA requirements.
  • Coordinate with the forging and heat treatment departments to resolve the occasional recurring excessive ultrasonic noise issue in titanium alloys.
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Material engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage and successfully complete carbon/epoxy material qualification and gain approval from FAA to use in manufacturing of composite aircraft parts.
  • Position entails ownership of machinery and equipment performance used to produce supply for aluminum aerospace and automotive components.
  • Determine processing for titanium bloom and slab.
  • Perform QC checks throughout the process to continually improve.
  • Oversee chemistry adjustment of molten before pouring into the molds.
  • Evaluate material microstructure, chemistry makeup, and stress/strain properties.
  • Show more

Materials process engineer vs material engineer skills

Common materials process engineer skills
  • Failure Analysis, 10%
  • Material Properties, 9%
  • Process Specifications, 6%
  • Engineering Drawings, 5%
  • DOD, 4%
  • Data Analysis, 3%
Common material engineer skills
  • DOD, 15%
  • Failure Analysis, 5%
  • Data Analysis, 4%
  • CAD, 4%
  • ASTM, 4%
  • Material Properties, 3%

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