How to Become a Materials Engineer

About Materials Engineer

Materials Engineer are the professionals who develop processes to create materials which are used in the production of different products. Such professionals work with a specific type of metal or material depending on their area of specialization. A Material Engineer is responsible for various functions such as conducting tests, analyzing materials and data, troubleshooting, ensuring quality control, monitoring performance and creating test documentation. A Material Engineer is also responsible for developing composite materials and studying their atomic structure in order to discover new engineering tools and technologies.

Eligibility to become Materials Engineer

The eligibility requirements to be fulfilled to pursue a career as a Materials Engineer are given below:

• The candidate must have completed a Bachelors degree in Materials Engineering or an equivalent degree from a recognized institute.

• The candidate can also go for a Masters degree in Materials Engineering or an equivalent degree in order to pursue high paying jobs in MNCs.

• The candidates can also go for a certification or a PhD course in order to get a job in research-based organizations.

How and When to Start

The candidates can start from studying Science in their 10+2 or n equivalent to the main subjects like Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, etc.

After completing 10+2, the candidates will have to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in B.Tech in Materials Engineering or an equivalent stream.

The candidates can either go for a job after completing their Bachelor’s degree or they can go for a Master’s degree in M. Tech in Materials Engineering or an equivalent stream. Candidates can also pursue integrated courses in Materials Engineering. 

After completing the degree, the candidates can either go for campus placement or direct interviews in Material Science companies.

Further, the candidates can also pursue a PhD degree for gaining more expertise in preferred specialisation to get a job in research-based organisations.

Types of Job Roles Materials Engineer

The different job roles for a Materials Engineer is given below:

Materials Engineer: Material Engineers are the professionals who are responsible for designing, developing and testing the new technologies for the production of different metals.

Ceramic Engineer: Ceramic Engineers are the professionals who are responsible for creating new Ceramic Materials as well as new technologies to develop them. They work with diverse materials production field such as glassware, electronic components, nuclear reactors, jet engines, and linings for blast furnaces.

Forensic Materials Engineers: Forensic Materials Engineers are the professionals who are responsible for studying the structures and properties of different metals and materials, especially the extremely small substances. They use such substances to develop the required materials meeting certain requirements.

Metallurgical Engineers: Metallurgical Engineers are the professionals who work with alloys and metals in various industries. The major responsibilities of a Metallurgical Engineer are to analyse the alloys and metals to determine their properties.

Metallographers: A Metallographer is a professional who conducts microscopic and macroscopic testings on materials in order to develop improved metals and production technologies. 

Employment Sector/Industry for Materials Engineer

Some of the employment sectors or industries for a Material Engineer are given below:

• Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

• Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

• Engineering Services

• Primary Metal Manufacturing

• Research-Based Organisations.

Top Recruiting Companies/ Agencies/ Organizations

Some of the top recruiting companies/ agencies/ organizations for a Materials Engineer are given below:

• Metlab Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd.

• Posco Private Limited

• BSL

• TATA Steel

• Mittal Steel

• Jindal Group of Steel

Pay Scale/Salary of Materials Engineer

The pay scale for a Materials Engineer depends upon the level of expertise and experience of the professional. The average pay scale for a Materials Engineer on the basis of experience level is given in the table below:

Note: The salary structure mentioned above is indicative only and is subject to change unconditionally.

Books & Study Material to Become Materials Engineer

• A Textbook of Material Science and Metallurgy (O.P. Khanna)

• Callister’s Material Science and Engineering by R. Balasubramanyam

• Material Science and Engineering by V. Raghavan

• Foundations of Materials Science and Engineering by William F. Smith and Javad Hashemi

• Introduction to Materials Science for Engineers by James F. Shackelford

Pros of becoming a Materials Engineer

• Very high paying job

• Opportunity to solve problems mentally

• Mostly indoor work

Cons of becoming a Materials Engineer

• Long working hours

• An extensive knowledge and experience required to get job