Materials engineer
Materials scientist
Materials engineers research the behaviour of materials used in industry to make them stronger, lighter and more hard-wearing.
Salary range: £20,000 to £45,000
How to become a materials engineer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
University
You’ll normally need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree. Relevant subjects include:
- materials engineering
- materials science or technology
- applied chemistry
- applied physics
You could also take a degree course specialising in one group of materials or their commercial use, for example metallurgy, polymer science, biomaterials, or sports and materials science.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More information
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
Apprenticeship
You may be able to do a materials science technologist degree apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
More information
More information
Further information
You can find out more about careers in materials engineering from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
- knowledge of physics
- analytical thinking skills
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties could include:
- researching new ways to combine materials
- analysing test data, using computer modelling software
- developing prototypes for new products
- designing manufacturing processes that use new materials
- investigating the reasons behind component or structural failures
- supervising a team of technicians
- writing reports
Working environment
You could work at a manufacturing plant, in a laboratory or in an office.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move into project management or technical sales. You could also specialise in a particular material, or work in research and consultancy.