I check my email and respond to urgent emails. Go to the high bay and check in with the Test Conductors and understand what work is going on. Perform tests and inspections of flight hardware. Attend meetings and participate in design and decision reviews. Do paperwork at my desk and check emails again. In contamination, we are focused on designing protocols to ensure we don't cause any contaminations (or can fix them) so that no valuable data or function is lost.
CAREER
Materials Engineers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$98,300
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+6.1% (as fast as the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Materials Engineers Do
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.
Other Job Titles Materials Engineers May Have
Materials Engineer, Materials Research Engineer, Metallurgical Engineer, Metallurgist
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
My work mainly involves protecting national interests and security. I do a lot of research and development and project management. My days are typically spent in a lab working with various chemicals and equipment.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
- Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
- Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
- Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Materials Engineers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (48%)
Bachelor's degree
Doctoral degree
Master's degree
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Chemical Engineering
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
You need great interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to learn on the fly and make decisions under pressure. Confidence to come up with creative solutions and present them. Leadership to manage a large group of people.
Be honest with others and always be true to yourself. That will make people respond to you in a sincere way.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
College Students
Prepare an elevator pitch about what you can bring to the table. Socialize in engineering circles and get an internship as soon as possible to figure out if this is what you love to do.
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
