What skills does a materials engineer need?

A materials engineer needs 25 essential skills including analytical chemistry, engineering principles, material mechanics, manufacturing processes, composite materials. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace materials engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for materials engineer is 64/100 (high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Science & ResearchScience and engineering professionalsISCO 2149

materials engineer

Materials engineers research and design new or improved materials for a diverse number of applications. They analyse the composition of materials, conduct experiments, and develop new materials for industry-specific use that can range from rubber, to textiles, glass, metals, and chemicals. They advise companies in damage assessments, quality assurance of materials, and recycling of materials.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (25)

analytical chemistryanalytical chemistryInstruments and methods used to separate, identify and quantify matter-the chemical components of natural and artificial materials and solutions.engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.material mechanicsmaterial mechanicsThe behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains.manufacturing processesmanufacturing processesThe steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.composite materialscomposite materialsThe properties of different materials developped in a laboratory, their usage per type of products, and how to create them.chemistrychemistryThe composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk fa...advanced materialsadvanced materialsInnovative materials with unique or enhanced properties relative to conventional materials. Advanced materials are developed using specialised processing and synthesis technologies that provide a dist...sustainable building materialssustainable building materialsThe types of building material which minimize the negative impact of the building on the external environment, throughout their whole life cycle.integrated designintegrated designApproach to design which includes several related disciplines, with the aim to design and build according to the Near Zero Energy Building principles. The interplay between all aspects of building des...thermoplastic materialsthermoplastic materialsTypes of materials of which the physical state changes when exposed to heat, as well as the specific manner in which the materials react to heat exposure.create solutions to problemscreate solutions to problemsSolve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising informat...test materialstest materialsTest the composition, characteristics, and use of materials in order to create new products and applications. Test them under normal and extraordinary conditions.forecast organisational risksforecast organisational risksAnalyse the operations and actions of a company in order to assess their repercussions, possible risks for the company, and to develop suitable strategies to address these.adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.perform chemical experimentsperform chemical experimentsPerform chemical experiments with the aim of testing various products and substances in order to draw conclusions in terms of product viability and replicability.develop material testing proceduresdevelop material testing proceduresDevelop testing protocols in collaboration with engineers and scientists to enable a variety of analyses such as environmental, chemical, physical, thermal, structural, resistance or surface analyses ...integrate new products in manufacturingintegrate new products in manufacturingAssist with the integration of new systems, products, methods, and components in the production line. Ensure that production workers are properly trained and follow the new requirements.work with chemicalswork with chemicalsHandle chemicals and select specific ones for certain processes. Be aware of the reactions which arise from combining them.develop advanced materialsdevelop advanced materialsSelect materials for further exploration and conduct material synthesis experiments to support the development of advanced materials.test chemical samplestest chemical samplesPerform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schem...apply health and safety standardsapply health and safety standardsAdhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.assess environmental impactassess environmental impactMonitor environmental impacts and carry out assessments in order to identify and to reduce the organisation's environmental risks while taking costs into account.analyse production processes for improvementanalyse production processes for improvementAnalyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.

Optional (19)

properties of textile materialsproperties of textile materialsThe characteristics and properties of different textile and fabric materials. These include strength, flexibility, elasticity, softness, durability, heat insulation, low weight, water absorbency/repel...pollution legislationpollution legislationBe familiar with European and National legislation regarding the risk of pollution.envelope systems for buildingsenvelope systems for buildingsThe physical characteristics of envelope systems for buildings and their limitations. The heat transfer principle in the envelope systems.types of metaltypes of metalQualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.laboratory techniqueslaboratory techniquesTechniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.types of plastictypes of plasticTypes of plastic materials and their chemical composition, physical properties, possible issues and usage cases.green chemistrygreen chemistryThe process of creating chemical products that diminish or cancel the negative impact on the environment caused by the use of hazardous substances. It follows all the phases of chemical product genera...electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.semiconductorssemiconductorsSemiconductors are essential components of electronic circuits and contain properties of both insulators, such as glass, and conductors, such as copper. Most semiconductors are crystals made of silico...mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.basic chemicalsbasic chemicalsThe production and characteristisc of organic basic chemicals such as ethanol, methanol, benzene and inorganic basic chemicals such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen.perform laboratory testsperform laboratory testsCarry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.assess the feasibility of implementing developmentsassess the feasibility of implementing developmentsStudy developments and innovation proposals in order to determine their applicability in the business and their feasibility of implementation from various fronts such as economic impact, business imag...develop chemical productsdevelop chemical productsResearch and create new chemicals and plastics used in the production of a variety of goods such as pharmaceuticals, textile, building materials and household products.advise on pollution preventionadvise on pollution preventionAdvise individuals and organisations on the development and implementation of actions which aid in the prevention of pollution and its related risks.define quality standardsdefine quality standardsDefine, in collaboration with managers and quality experts, a set of quality standards to ensure compliance with regulations and help achieve customers' requirements.design prototypesdesign prototypesDesign prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.advise on waste management proceduresadvise on waste management proceduresAdvise organisations on the implementation of waste regulations and on improvement strategies for waste management and waste minimisation, to increase environmentally sustainable practices and environ...