Job sheet

Materials engineer: job, missions and salary

Roles and missions of the materials engineer

Materials engineers are responsible for the design, evaluation and development of materials using scientific and technological techniques. Their mission is to find solutions to complex problems related to the choice of materials for various applications.

The main roles and missions of a materials engineer are:

  • Develop special materials for various projects and applications.
  • Evaluate the performance and properties of materials in relation to their use and application.
  • Analyze material failures and poor performance and develop solutions to correct them.
  • Develop and test materials that meet customer needs.
  • Analyze and interpret results of materials testing and develop reports.
  • Ensure quality of materials according to customer specifications.
  • Develop processes and procedures to optimize materials development and production.
  • Fulfill regulatory obligations for safety and quality.
  • Become a materials expert and share knowledge with staff.
  • Find innovative technological ways to improve materials performance.

Materials engineers must be well versed in engineering science and technology, mechanics and chemistry. They must also be able to communicate their ideas to colleagues and customers. This can be done through an oral presentation, a written paper, or an online presentation. Materials engineers must be able to solve complex problems and make informed decisions to ensure the quality of materials developed.

Salary and career development of a materials engineer

The salary of a materials engineer is generally very attractive and growing. Materials engineers work in a wide variety of fields, including mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and materials engineering. Most materials engineers work for national or international companies and are paid well for their work. Here are the gross annual salary evolutions in France by years of experience for a Materials Engineer:

  • 0 to 2 years: from 35 000 to 50 000 €.
  • 2 to 5 years: from 50 000 to 65 000 €.
  • 5 to 10 years: from 65 000 to 85 000 €.
  • 10 to 15 years: from 85 000 to 100 000 €.
  • More than 15 years: more than €100,000

In terms of career development, here are the 5 possible jobs for a Materials Engineer

  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Materials engineer
  • Research and development engineer
  • Production engineer
  • Quality engineer.

Advantages and disadvantages of the materials engineer's job

Benefits
  • Good pay - materials engineers are well compensated for their services.
  • Variety of jobs - materials engineers can work in different industries, ranging from automotive to aerospace to medical engineering.
  • Keeping up with modern technology - by working with and testing new materials, materials engineers can stay on top of the latest technologies.
  • Work on a variety of projects - by dealing with materials used in manufacturing and product development, materials engineers can work on a wide variety of projects.
  • Good career opportunity - materials engineers can be offered positions of responsibility and career opportunities.
Disadvantages
  • Long hours - materials engineers may have to work overtime or weekends to complete projects.
  • Little free time - due to overtime and tight deadlines, materials engineers may have little free time.
  • Stress - due to tight deadlines and pressure to deliver results, stress can be high for materials engineers.
  • Frequent travel - materials engineers may have to travel to locations where their products are manufactured or tested.
  • Few opportunities for advancement - materials engineers may not have as many opportunities for advancement as other professions in engineering.

The latest job offers for materials engineers