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.
Materials process engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real materials process engineer resumes:
- 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.
- Facilitate testing and implement successful material qualification programs meeting aerospace specifications.
- Conduct destructive and non-destructive weld analysis and welding and brazing qualification and certifications.
- Conduct quarterly lab inspections; produce monthly status reports for management review; maintain and update all ISO operating documentation.
- Develop a method to get AutoCad isometric drawings relevant to relief valve transferred electronically to the relief valve sizing package.
- Improve consistency of hard aluminum tool/jig plate milling operation through implementation of SPC, resulting in improve customer satisfaction and sales.
- Systemize the Deviation/CAPA and train on investigations utilizing DMAIC.
Materials process engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Materials Process Engineers are proficient in Failure Analysis, Material Properties, and Process Specifications. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Math skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Materials Process Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Failure Analysis, 10%
Space electronics support includes polymeric material qualifications, failure analysis of assemblies with adhesion problems and process improvement recommendations.
- Material Properties, 9%
Performed statistical regression for material properties for their Mach database.
- Process Specifications, 6%
Review project-related documentation, including supplier material and process specifications, design data and qualification substantiation data to ensure its accuracy.
- Engineering Drawings, 5%
Reviewed engineering drawings to ensure compliance with military specifications for aircraft.
- DOD, 4%
Mitigated human factors issues IAW DoD 5000 and MCOTEA Test and Evaluation Master Plan protocols (BOM/SAP application).
- Data Analysis, 3%
Performed statistical data analysis using Six Sigma methodologies with Mini Tab and Excel.
Most materials process engineers use their skills in "failure analysis," "material properties," and "process specifications" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential materials process engineer responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a materials process engineer to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "materials engineers often work on projects related to other fields of engineering." Materials process engineers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "evaluated many aspects of rubber to metal adhesion such as surface preparation and analysis of standard adhesion testing techniques. "
Math skills. Many materials process engineer duties rely on math skills. "materials engineers use the principles of calculus and other advanced topics in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.," so a materials process engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways materials process engineer responsibilities rely on math skills: "full green belt certification (process control statistics, doe and spc charts for continuous improvement) awarded dec. 20. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for materials process engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how materials process engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "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." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a materials process engineer: "researched design engineering parts requests, participated in design reviews, and resolved problems with parts. ".
Speaking skills. A big part of what materials process engineers do relies on "speaking skills." You can see how essential it is to materials process engineer responsibilities because "while working with technicians, technologists, and other engineers, materials engineers must state concepts and directions clearly." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical materials process engineer tasks: "defined doe structure; designed coupons; oversaw layup, trim and tensile testing; analyzed and presented results. "
Writing skills. Another crucial skill for a materials process engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what materials process engineers relies on this skill, since "materials engineers must write plans and reports clearly so that people without a materials engineering background can understand the concepts." How this skill relates to materials process engineer duties can be seen in an example from a materials process engineer resume snippet: "organize test data results, draw conclusions, and document the testing via report writing. "
The three companies that hire the most materials process engineers are:
- Blue Origin43 materials process engineers jobs
- Northrop Grumman29 materials process engineers jobs
- Lockheed Martin18 materials process engineers jobs
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Compare different materials process engineers
Materials process engineer vs. Research and development engineer
Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, materials process engineer responsibilities require skills like "material properties," "process specifications," "dod," and "design engineering." Meanwhile a typical research and development engineer has skills in areas such as "python," "c #," "solidworks," and "cad." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Research and development engineers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $107,654. In contrast, materials process engineers make the biggest average salary, $90,465, in the automotive industry.The education levels that research and development engineers earn slightly differ from materials process engineers. In particular, research and development engineers are 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a materials process engineer. Additionally, they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Materials process engineer vs. Development engineer
A Development Engineer is responsible for the development and validation of products, systems, and components. They are also responsible for quality control of work and continuous improvement of engineer activities.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, materials process engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "material properties," "process specifications," "engineering drawings," and "dod." Meanwhile, a development engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "java," "python," "c #," and "software development." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Development engineers may earn a higher salary than materials process engineers, but development engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $105,648. On the other hand, materials process engineers receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $90,465.In general, development engineers achieve similar levels of education than materials process engineers. They're 0.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Materials process engineer vs. Equipment engineer
The duties of an equipment engineer depend on one's organization or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around designing and developing mechanical and electronic equipment, analyzing and improving existing systems, performing customization according to customers' preferences, installing and removing attachments, and conducting regular maintenance procedures. An equipment engineer must also address issues and complaints, providing corrective measures promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with team members and other specialists, inspect and test new systems, and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a materials process engineer is likely to be skilled in "material properties," "process specifications," "engineering drawings," and "dod," while a typical equipment engineer is skilled in "equipment performance," "semiconductor," "cad," and "preventive maintenance."
Equipment engineers make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $108,645. On the other hand, materials process engineers are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $90,465.Most equipment engineers achieve a lower degree level compared to materials process engineers. For example, they're 8.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Materials process engineer vs. Engineer
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between materials process engineers and engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a materials process engineer might have more use for skills like "failure analysis," "material properties," "process specifications," and "engineering drawings." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of engineers require skills like "python," "cloud," "c++," and "c #. "
In general, engineers earn the most working in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $97,672. The highest-paying industry for a materials process engineer is the automotive industry.In general, engineers hold similar degree levels compared to materials process engineers. Engineers are 4.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of materials process engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
