What You'll Do

  • Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
  • Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
  • Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.
  • Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
  • Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
  • Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
  • Perform managerial functions, such as preparing proposals and budgets, analyzing labor costs, and writing reports.
  • Solve problems in a number of engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace.
  • Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and corporate executives, as necessary.
  • Review new product plans, and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0/5
Active Listening 4.0/5
Science 4.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 4.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.88/5
Writing 3.75/5
Speaking 3.75/5
Mathematics 3.75/5
Active Learning 3.25/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.25/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Instructing 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Integrity, Analytical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Innovation, Persistence

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Inductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Category Flexibility 4.0/5
Written Expression 3.88/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.88/5

Technologies & Tools

ANSYS Multiphysics Autodesk AutoCAD C++ Computer aided design CAD software Dassault Systemes CATIA Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Digital image correlation DIC software Enterprise resource planning ERP software Fault detection isolation and recovery FDIR software Finite element analysis software Formula translation/translator FORTRAN Fused deposition modeling FDM rapid prototyping systems Graphics software IBM Notes Image analysis systems Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.67/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.57/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.43/5)
  • Innovation (High importance: 4.33/5)
  • Persistence (High importance: 4.33/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Automotive Sheet Metal Engineer Ceramic Design Engineer Ceramic Engineer Ceramic Research Engineer Ceramics Test Engineer Corrosion Engineer Design Engineer Engineer Extractive Metallurgist Extrusion Engineer Failure Analysis Engineer Forensic Materials Engineer Foundry Metallurgist Foundry Process Engineer Glass Science Engineer Green Building Materials Designer Material Analyst Material Science And Testing Engineer Materials Development Engineer Materials Engineer Materials Research Engineer Metallographer Metallurgical Engineer Metallurgical Specialist Metallurgist Physical Metallurgist Plastics Engineer Plating Engineer Polymer Engineer Process Metallurgist Project Engineer Research Engineer Smelting Engineer Stress Engineer Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) Test Engineer Testing Engineer Welding Engineer