Occupation information for

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.

Currently Employed: Not Available

Yearly Projected Openings: Not Available

Typical Hourly Wage: Not Available

Typical Annual Salary: Not Available

• Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
• Write for technical magazines, journals, and trade association publications.
• Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
• Plan and implement laboratory operations for the purpose of developing material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards.
• Review new product plans and make recommendations for material selection based on design objectives, such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
• Guide technical staff engaged in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.
• Replicate the characteristics of materials and their components with computers.
• Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.
• Modify properties of metal alloys, using thermal and mechanical treatments.
• Conduct training sessions on new material products, applications, or manufacturing methods for customers and their employees.

• Calorimeters
• Laboratory blenders or emulsifiers
• Laboratory separators
• Power saws
• Twin screw extruder

• Analytical or scientific software
• Computer aided design CAD software
• Data base user interface and query software
• Development environment software
• Word processing software