Engineering and architecture
Materials engineer
Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.
Median pay
$112,860
Growth to 2035
+8%
faster than average
Openings a year
1,300
Time to qualify*
Minimal
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Materials engineer
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Materials engineer: 28% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- Review new product plans, and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
- Solve problems in a number of engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace.
- Plan and implement laboratory operations to develop material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards.
- Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
- Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials.
- Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.
Also called: Automotive Sheet Metal Engineer · Ceramic Engineer · Extrusion Engineer · Materials Development Engineer · Materials Research Engineer · Metallurgical Engineer · Metallurgist · Process Engineer
Outlook and AI
Materials engineers held 23,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 25,600 by 2035 (+8%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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