- Engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems.
- Their work is the link between scientific discoveries and the commercial applications that meet societal and consumer needs.
- Many engineers develop new products. During the process, they consider several factors. For example, in developing an industrial robot, engineers specify the functional requirements precisely; design and test the robot's components; integrate the components to produce the final design; and evaluate the design's overall effectiveness, cost, reliability, and safety. This process applies to the development of many different products, such as chemicals, computers, power-plants, helicopters, and toys.
- In addition to their involvement in design and development, many engineers work in testing, production, or maintenance.
- These engineers supervise production in factories, determine the causes of a component’s failure, and test manufactured products to maintain quality.
- They also estimate the time and cost required to complete projects.
- Supervisory engineers are responsible for major components or entire projects.
- Engineers use computers extensively to produce and analyze designs; to simulate and test how a machine, structure, or system operates; to generate specifications for parts; to monitor the quality of products; and to control the efficiency of processes.
- Nanotechnology, which involves the creation of high-performance materials and components by integrating atoms and molecules, also is introducing entirely new principles to the design process.
- Most engineers specialize; one of which is Materials engineer.
- Materials engineers are involved in the development, processing, and testing of the materials used to create a range of products, from computer chips and aircraft wings to golf clubs and snow skis.
- They work with metals, ceramics, plastics, semiconductors, and composites to create new materials that meet certain mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements. They also are involved in selecting materials for new applications.
- Materials engineers have developed the ability to create and then study materials at an atomic level, using advanced processes to replicate the characteristics of those materials and their components with computers.
- Most materials engineers specialize in a particular material.
- For example, metallurgical engineers specialize in metals such as steel, and ceramic engineers develop ceramic materials and the processes for making them into useful products such as glassware or fiber-optic communication lines.
- It is important for engineers, as it is for workers in other technical and scientific occupations, to continue their education throughout their careers, because much of their value to their employer depends on their knowledge of the latest technology.
- Engineers in high-technology areas, such as biotechnology or information technology, may find that their technical knowledge will become outdated rapidly.
- By keeping current in their field, engineers will be able to deliver the best solutions and greatest value to their employers.
- Engineers who have not kept current in their field may find themselves at a disadvantage when seeking promotions or during layoffs.
- Growth should result from increased use of composite and other nontraditional materials developed through biotechnology and nanotechnology research.
- As manufacturing firms contract for their materials engineering needs, most employment growth is expected in professional, scientific, and technical services industries.
Engineers apply the principles of natural science and mathematics in their work. Other workers who use scientific and mathematical principles include the following:
- Agricultural and Food Scientists
- Architects
- Atmospheric Scientists
- Biological scientists
- Chemists and materials scientists
- Computer and information systems manager
- Computer scientists
- Computer software engineers and computer programmers
- Drafter
- Engineering and natural sciences managers
- Engineering technicians
- Environment scientists and specialists
- Geoscientists and hydrologists
- Mathematicians
- Physicists and astronomers
- Sales engineers
- Science technicians
- Bachelor’s Degree in Material Engineering
This career information is drawn from data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.