Post job

Materials process engineer vs project engineer

The differences between materials process engineers and project 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 $75,050 average annual salary of a project engineer.

The top three skills for a materials process engineer include failure analysis, material properties and process specifications. The most important skills for a project engineer are project management, autocad, and construction management.

Materials process engineer vs project engineer overview

Materials Process EngineerProject Engineer
Yearly salary$90,788$75,050
Hourly rate$43.65$36.08
Growth rate6%2%
Number of jobs79,795176,689
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4141
Years of experience-6

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 project engineer do?

A Project Engineer develops the plan that the entire team or company will undertake. The project engineer develops the plans, strategies, and goals of a project and then gives it to the management for approval and allocation. The Project Engineer will also recommend material, equipment, and the type of personnel needed. This position is integral in the smooth flow of any project, so hiring someone to hold this position will decide the success of a project.

Materials process engineer vs project engineer salary

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

Materials Process EngineerProject Engineer
Average salary$90,788$75,050
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $118,000Between $55,000 And $100,000
Highest paying CityEverett, WARichmond, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyMetaApple
Best paying industryAutomotiveEnergy

Differences between materials process engineer and project engineer education

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

Materials Process EngineerProject Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorChemical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeGeorgia Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Materials process engineer vs project engineer demographics

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

Materials Process EngineerProject Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 78.3% Female, 21.7%Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
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, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 14.5% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage10%5%

Differences between materials process engineer and project 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.
  • Show more

Project engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage TCP/IP LAN environment for the time during implementation.
  • Support and manage the development of a CNC base electron beam drill.
  • Lead a MGPP six sigma project to improve the accuracy of 3D clutch cooling analysis
  • Manage the BHP enterprise wide migration from e-rooms to SharePoint for document management and team collaboration.
  • Manage the installation of a CNC laser cutting system with full responsibility for all aspects of the project.
  • Coordinate and manage activities of the 787-9 IPT's to complete the specific aircraft side of the test cells.
  • Show more

Materials process engineer vs project 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 project engineer skills
  • Project Management, 12%
  • Autocad, 7%
  • Construction Management, 6%
  • CAD, 4%
  • UL, 4%
  • Cost Estimates, 3%

Browse architecture and engineering jobs