What they do
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.
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Also called: |
Extrusion Engineer, Materials Development Engineer, Materials Engineer, Materials Research Engineer, Metallurgical Engineer, Metallurgist, Research Engineer, Test Engineer
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Wages
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Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 20.39 |
$42,420 |
25% |
$ 41.51 |
$86,330 |
Median |
$ 47.24 |
$98,250 |
75% |
$ 59.77 |
$124,310 |
90% |
$ 75.24 |
$156,490 |
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Average |
$ 49.49 |
$102,950 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
| 22% |
- Transportation equipment manufacturing
| 16% |
- Computer and electronic product manufacturing
| 8% |
- Primary metal manufacturing
| 7% |
- Federal government, excluding postal service
| 7% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
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- Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
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- Physics
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
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- Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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- Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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- Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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- Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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More at O*NET |
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
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- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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- Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
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- Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
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- Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
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- Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
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- Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
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- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Vermont |
2020 employment |
42 |
2030 employment |
45 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
0.7% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
3 |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
Bachelor's degree
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
None
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Somewhat Important
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Low | | High |
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Job Zone
Considerable Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(7.0 to < 8.0) - A typical worker will require
over 2 years up to and including 4 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 38% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 14% |
Bachelor's degree | | 48% |
Associate's degree | | 0% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 0% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 0% |
Less than high school diploma | | 0% |
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Licensing
Vermont may require an occupational license: |
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Select a license for details |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
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- Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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- Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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- Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
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- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
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- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.
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- Direct quality control activities.
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- Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.
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- Test characteristics of materials or structures.
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- Evaluate technical data to determine effect on designs or plans.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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