How to become a materials engineer
Call on physics, chemistry, and your imagination to improve existing materials—and make new ones!
What does a materials engineer do?
Materials engineers research, design and develop specifications for materials used to create things. They can modify existing materials – such as plastics and ceramics – to make them stronger or cheaper. And they can engineer new materials for cutting edge initiatives like space exploration and nanotechnology.
Duties and tasks
- Consult with material producers to understand components, properties and reactions while evaluating optimal materials appropriate for specific product applications.
- Design and organise laboratory tests to analyse new materials.
- Design lab procedures to meet production cost and performance criteria for new or improved materials.
- Evaluate new product designs and recommend optimal material combinations.
- Strive to make products more efficient, safe and cost-effective.
- Evaluate the environmental factors resulting from new materials, and recommend safety standards and procedures.
- Oversee operations to make sure that proper material specifications and equipment are used.
- Practice a high level of alertness and safety at all times. Identify malfunctions and problems requiring additional safety precautions.
- Use your knowledge of materials and chemical components to identify the best combinations for particular product uses.
Industry bodies
Related jobs
- Chemist
- Civil engineer
- Environmental engineer
- Industrial engineer
- Metallurgist
- Process engineer
Discover engineering courses
Undergraduate USA-ADE-DEG
Undergraduate SCU-ENG-DEG
Postgraduate TUA-MEM-MAS
Postgraduate UOQ-FSE-GCE
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