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Materials process engineer vs quality engineer

The differences between materials process engineers and quality 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 $79,672 average annual salary of a quality engineer.

The top three skills for a materials process engineer include failure analysis, material properties and process specifications. The most important skills for a quality engineer are corrective action, continuous improvement, and ISO.

Materials process engineer vs quality engineer overview

Materials Process EngineerQuality Engineer
Yearly salary$90,788$79,672
Hourly rate$43.65$38.30
Growth rate6%10%
Number of jobs79,79596,838
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4142
Years of experience-4

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 quality engineer do?

A quality engineer's responsibilities include ensuring that the manufacturing processes are efficient and accurate, documenting findings that would raise concerns, conducting quality tests while observing parameters, and implementing changes as necessary to meet the highest quality standards. Quality engineers need to have excellent problem-solving and observation skills to detect any irregularities and possible malfunctions. They also must be able to communicate effectively with the clients for feedbacks and corrective adjustments, address complaints, and immediately resolve any inconsistencies made.

Materials process engineer vs quality engineer salary

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

Materials Process EngineerQuality Engineer
Average salary$90,788$79,672
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $118,000Between $61,000 And $103,000
Highest paying CityEverett, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryAutomotiveTechnology

Differences between materials process engineer and quality engineer education

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

Materials Process EngineerQuality Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorChemical EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeGeorgia Institute of TechnologyNorthwestern University

Materials process engineer vs quality engineer demographics

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

Materials Process EngineerQuality Engineer
Average age4142
Gender ratioMale, 78.3% Female, 21.7%Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%
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, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 13.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage10%4%

Differences between materials process engineer and quality 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

Quality engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead internal and customer 8D iniatives using the 6-Sigma DMAIC approach to problem solving.
  • Manage and develop QA lab personnel, ensuring reliable food safety and manufacturing quality support.
  • Give guidance to Apple/Asian SQE's and supplier QA, insuring that all quality requirements are being addressed and achieve.
  • Lead interdisciplinary teams in addressing and resolving problems utilizing Kaizen event , 8D, and 5-why to arrive at root cause.
  • Lead project to develop and implement quality and environmental management systems to achieve & maintain ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certification.
  • Manage aerospace resolver manufacturing transfer from out-of-state acquisition.
  • Show more

Materials process engineer vs quality 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 quality engineer skills
  • Corrective Action, 7%
  • Continuous Improvement, 6%
  • ISO, 5%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Sigma, 4%
  • Product Quality, 4%

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