Materials Scientist and Engineer

Position Title

Materials scientist and engineer

Alternate Titles

Composite engineer, chemical engineer, nanoengineer

Job Description

Materials scientists and engineers develop, process, and test materials for marine energy components and technologies. They study the properties and structures of materials and substances to either identify existing materials or design new materials that improve the performance and durability of marine energy components.

Education and Training Description

Materials scientists and engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering, chemical engineering, or other related physical sciences. To advance beyond research assistant roles, materials science research jobs often require a master’s or doctoral degree in addition to several years of work experience. Materials scientists and engineers should have a bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering. Employers also value experience, so internships or cooperative-education engineering programs while at a university are a plus. To be hired into formal engineering roles, materials engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in materials engineering and generally need to acquire a Fundamentals of Engineering license by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. With a Fundamentals of Engineering license and 4 or more years of work experience, materials engineers can take a test to acquire a Professional Engineer license. Materials engineers with a PE license can be a technical specialist within the materials engineering discipline, oversee other engineers, develop designs and specifications, and oversee production activities. An advanced degree, additional work experience, and a Professional Engineer license can lead to more job and career advancement opportunities in the research and development sector, training or education field, and managerial roles.

Job Profile

Materials scientists and engineers develop, process, and test materials to be used in marine energy components and technologies. They study the properties and structures of metals, ceramics, plastics, composites, nanomaterials (extremely small substances), and other substances in order to create new materials that meet mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements established within the marine energy sector. They also help design and select materials to improve the performance and durability of marine energy components. Saltwater and the marine environment cause marine energy components to corrode and degrade rapidly. Materials scientists and engineers design materials for marine energy components, such as turbine blades or structural foundations, that minimize corrosion and biofouling. Identifying and applying materials that reduce corrosion and biofouling can extend the lifetime of marine energy components and improve market feasibility and operation of marine energy facilities. Other areas of materials science and engineering applications in marine energy include designing components that are hydrophobic (meaning they repel water) and finding ways to smoothly weld metals together in order to reduce friction in turbine operations.

Materials engineers typically:

• Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and managers as necessary
• Prepare proposals and budgets, analyze labor costs, write reports, and perform other managerial tasks
• Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists
• Design and direct the testing of processing procedures
• Monitor how materials perform and evaluate how they deteriorate
• Determine causes of product failure and develop ways of overcoming such failure
• Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to the design objectives of processes or products
• Evaluate the impact of materials processing on the environment.

Materials scientists typically:

• Plan and carry out complex research projects, such as the development of new products and testing methods
• Instruct scientists and technicians on proper chemical processing and testing procedures, including ingredients, mixing times, and operating temperatures
• Prepare solutions, compounds, and reagents used in laboratory procedures
• Analyze substances to determine their composition and concentration of elements
• Conduct tests on materials and other substances to ensure that safety and quality standards are met
• Write technical reports that detail methods and findings
• Present research findings to scientists, engineers, and other colleagues.

Job Skills

Materials scientists and engineers typically need:

• Analytical skills. Materials scientists and engineers often work on projects related to other fields of engineering. They must determine how materials will be used and how they must be structured to withstand different conditions. Materials scientists carry out scientific experiments and studies. They must be precise and accurate in their analyses because errors could invalidate their research.
• Math skills. Materials scientists and engineers use the principles of calculus and other advanced topics in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.
• Problem-solving skills. Materials scientists and engineers must understand the relationship between materials’ structures, their properties, how they are made, and how these factors affect the products they are used to make.
• Communication skills. While working with multidisciplinary teams of technicians, technologists, and other engineers, materials scientists and engineers must state concepts and directions clearly. When speaking with managers, they must also communicate engineering concepts to people who may not have an engineering background.
• Writing skills. Materials scientists and engineers must write plans and reports clearly so that people without a materials engineering background can understand the concepts.
• Organizational skills. Materials scientists and engineers need to document processes carefully in order to conform to regulations and industry procedures. Disorganization in the workplace can lead to legal problems, damage to equipment, and chemical spills.
• Perseverance. Scientific research involves substantial trial and error, and materials scientists and engineers must not become discouraged in their work.
• Time-management skills. Chemists and materials scientists usually need to meet deadlines when conducting research. They must be able to manage time and prioritize tasks efficiently while maintaining their quality of work.

More Information

For more information on materials science and engineering jobs, see:

• Career Explorer: What Does a Materials Scientist Do?
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Chemical and Materials Scientists
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Materials Engineers.