Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Examining information carefully, recognizing patterns, and using evidence to reach sound conclusions.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Materials Engineer Materials engineers plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with others as necessary. Materials engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering or a related field. Employers also value practical experience, which students sometimes gain through internships.
Education
High school students interested in becoming a materials engineer should take classes in math, such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus; science, such as biology, chemistry, and physics; and computer programming. Entry-level jobs for materials engineers typically require a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering or other engineering fields. Some jobs, such as those in research and development, require a master’s degree or Ph.D. Bachelor’s degree programs usually include classroom and laboratory courses, such as calculus, chemistry, and the structure, processing, and properties of materials. Some colleges and universities offer internships and cooperative programs in partnership with industry employers. In these programs, students gain practical experience while completing their education.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Licensure is not required for entry-level materials engineer positions. Experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows them to oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State licensure typically requires a bachelor’s or higher degree in engineering, a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, several years of relevant work experience, and a passing score on the PE exam. Each state issues its own license. Most states recognize licensure from other states, if the licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements. Several states require continuing education for engineers to keep their licenses. Information on state licensing board requirements is available from CareerOneStop. Some materials engineers opt to earn professional certification, which can help to demonstrate competency.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of materials engineers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,300 openings for materials engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment As demand for new materials and manufacturing processes continues to increase, more materials engineers are expected to be needed to help develop these products and systems. For example, new metal alloys are expected to be developed to make airplanes lighter and more fuel efficient. Materials Engineers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Engineers 8% Materials engineers 8% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Materials Engineers Do
Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a range of products. They study the properties and structures of metals, polymers, and other substances to develop new materials. They also help select materials for specific products and identify ways to use existing materials.
Duties
Materials engineers typically do the following:
- Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and managers as necessary
- Prepare proposals and budgets, analyze labor costs, and write reports
- Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists
- Design and implement procedures to develop, process, test, and deploy materials
- Monitor the performance and degradation of materials over time
- Determine causes of material failure and develop ways of overcoming such failure
- Evaluate technical and quality control specifications of materials
- Assess economic, environmental, and sustainability factors related to producing, using, and disposing of materials
Materials engineers create and study materials at the atomic level. They use computer software to understand and predict the properties of materials and their components. To determine the material best suited for a product or process, materials engineers consider a variety of factors such as the weight of materials, cost, and how a material may interact with other materials. They solve materials-related challenges in collaboration with workers in other fields, including aerospace, chemical, and electrical engineering.
Materials engineers may specialize in specific materials. The following are examples of types of materials engineers:
Ceramic engineers develop ceramic materials and the processes for making them into useful products, from high-temperature rocket nozzles to glass for LCD flat-panel displays.
Composites engineers develop materials with special, engineered properties for applications in aircraft, automobiles, and related products.
Metallurgical engineers specialize in metals, such as steel and aluminum, usually in alloyed form with additions of other elements to provide specific properties.
Polymers engineers specialize in naturally occurring polymers, such as cellulose and collagen, and synthetic polymers (plastics) for a variety of applications.
Semiconductor engineers focus on materials with special electronic and optical properties, which are used for computing, sensing, and optical applications.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Materials engineers held about 23,800 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of materials engineers were as follows:
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 17% |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 10 |
| Engineering services | 9 |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 7 |
| Computer and electronic product manufacturing | 6 |
Materials engineers work in offices, factories, and research and development laboratories. They may work on teams with other scientists and engineers.
Work Schedules
Most materials engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Analytical skills. Materials engineers must evaluate various materials and their properties and determine how best to use them. Computer skills. Materials engineers use and write code for computational and machine learning software, which may help guide material selection and predict the properties of materials. Math skills. Materials engineers use calculus, statistics, and other advanced topics in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work. Problem-solving skills. Materials engineers must be able to anticipate and identify problems, such as those related to manufacturing processes, and to devise solutions. Communication skills. Materials engineers must convey information clearly, such as when working on a team or when writing reports. Advancement Materials engineers may advance to become technical specialists or to supervise a team of engineers and technicians. Some may become engineering managers or move into other managerial positions.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about materials engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.