Nature of work
A materials engineer is engineering specialist who uses his/her knowledge of materials to outline specifications, processes, and designs for materials. He/she specializes in the properties and behaviors of different raw materials and uses his/her experience to improve various technologies and facilitates production processes. The field of materials engineering is also sometimes referred to as materials science. He/she is employed across a wide range of industries, and his/her job is to research and implement ways to improve and enhance the performance and cost-effectiveness of various products and processes. He/she is typically in charge of overseeing quality control and advising on maintenance and inspection procedures. He/she will monitor conditions inside production facilities to see how materials react during use, also considering energy use and potential ways to reduce it. He/she is usually responsible for managing engineering technicians and other personnel employed at production plants. He/she develops, processes, and tests materials used to create a range of products, from computer chips and aircraft wings to golf clubs and snow skis. He/she works with metals, ceramics and other substances to create new materials. Environment of work
Hours are usually 8.30 am to 3.30 pm, 35 - 40 hours a week, but may sometimes involve shift working. The work is mainly based in offices or laboratories but will involve liaising with and visiting suppliers of raw materials or manufacturing sites. A technological advance is fast in this field, which can make career breaks difficult. There are two main options for self-employment, both of which are more likely once significant work experience has been gained. He/she can set up his/her own business. He/she is involved with new developments that impact on the competitiveness of his/her organization. Indirectly, he/she holds high levels of responsibility but is rewarded by seeing the direct results and impact of his/her work. Professional life
Career prospects are currently good within this branch of engineering. In general, there is a less materials engineers, exacerbated by there being so many different specialist areas and such rapid technological change in the field. A materials engineer is often highly skilled and respected members of the technical team and, for this reason, it can be relatively easy either to move into general management roles or to develop a technical specialist area. To be in the management will depend on the size and scope of the employing company, for example, a small but highly specialist biomedical laboratory cannot offer the management career potential available within a global oil and gas company. He/she plays a significant role in finding more energy-efficient, and less polluting and waste-generating products and processes. A key career choice facing many materials engineers is whether to work mainly in the laboratory on research and development, or on the production and processing side. There are also opportunities to teach and lecture in further and higher education.Range of typical starting salaries: 32000 SYP.
Getting the job
A materials engineer typically has a bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering or a related field. Employers also value practical experience, therefore, cooperative engineering programs. Students interested in studying materials engineering should take high school courses in mathematics, such as algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and science such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Entry-level jobs as a materials engineer require a bachelor's degree. Bachelor's degree programs typically last 4 years and include classroom and laboratory work focusing on engineering principles. Many colleges and universities offer cooperative programs in which students gain practical experience while earning college credits. A graduate degree allows an engineer to work as an instructor at some colleges and universities or to do research and development. Some 5- or 6-year cooperative plans combine classroom study with practical work, allowing students to gain experience and to finance part of their education. Skills
There are many skills he/she needs to have and improve, such as:Communication skills. In supervising technicians, technologists, and other engineers, materials engineers must be able to state concepts and directions clearly.
Math skills. He/she uses the principals of calculus and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in his/her work.
Operations analysis. He/she must be able to determine how materials will be used in a wide range of conditions and how the materials must be structured to withstand the requirements of those conditions.
Problem-solving skills. He/she must also figure out why a product failed, design a solution, and then conduct tests to make sure the product does not fail again.
Teamwork. He/she must be able to join the efforts of all members together.
Writing skills. He/she must write plans and reports clearly so that people without a materials engineering background understand the concepts.
Sources and references
If you need any further information on what is included in this file, you can visit the following websites:· The Order of Syrian engineers, Damascus, Tel: 6627256
· www.arab-eng.org, Arab Engineers Forum.
· Arab Standard Classification of Occupations, 2008, Ed. Arab Labor Organization.