Materials Engineers
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics · Engineering and Technology
Pay and outlook shown for
New workers start near $71,460; experienced workers reach $162,080. About 90 people do this job in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX.
Job outlook
Alamo region (San Antonio and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034; U.S. figures from the BLS.
- Employment change
- +11.8%
- Openings a year
- 5
- Employed in 2024
- 68
Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
Alamo Colleges programs that lead here
No program is mapped to this career yet. Many careers start from a transfer pre-major or a related program.
Browse all programsSkills this career uses
The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.
- Reading Comprehension4.8
- Science4.8
- Active Listening4.1
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Critical Thinking4.3
- Writing4.4
- Speaking4.1
- Mathematics4.0
What the work is
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.
- 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.
Education people in this job have
Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.
- Bachelor's degree52%
- Master's degree10%
- Doctoral or professional38%
Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.
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