Job Description

Materials Engineers develop, test and evaluate materials. They often develop materials for specific purposes, like the lightweight but strong materials used in “stealth” aircraft or space-suits.

Necessary Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Helpful High School Courses

Sciences, Advanced Mathematics, Computer Applications

Working Conditions

• Normally works a 40-hour week
• Most work in offices, labs, or manufacturing plants
• Work can be stressful when deadlines must be met

Salary Range

• 2003, Delaware average annual salary, $69,440
• 2003, Delaware average hourly wage, $33.39

Career Ladder Information

• Advanced degrees and certification, as well as specialization, lead to increased earning capacities

Personal Qualities and Interests

      You are:

• Happy solving problems and doing research
• Creative
• Detail-oriented
• Able to communicate well
• Able to work as part of a team
• Interested in advanced mathematics and science

Did you know?

• Increasing importance of research and development of new materials means excellent future opportunity for materials engineers in micro-structural analysis, electro-ceramics and chemical metallurgy.

Additional Information

• Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco
• Materials Engineering Preparation: http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/escape/fields/materials/prep.html

  
  

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