ONET Occupations » 17-2131.00

Materials Engineers

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.

View Materials Engineers on ONET Online

Parachute skills

  1. Use my brain - Data (4.64)
  2. Study, observe - Data (4.59)
  3. Solve problems - Data (4.46)
  4. Use my intuition - Data (4.46)
  5. Work with numbers, compute - Data (4.41)
  6. Analyze, break down into its parts - Data (4.41)
  7. Research - Data (4.41)
  8. Pay attention to details - Data (4.33)
  9. Plan - Data (4.26)
  10. Design, use artistic abilities, be original - Data (4.26)
  11. Make, produce, manufacture - Things (4.26)
  12. Develop, improve - Data (4.21)
  13. Create, innovate, invent - Data (4.21)
  14. Imagine - Data (4.21)
  15. Follow through, get things done - People (4.13)
  16. Program - Data (4.08)
  17. Compile, keep records, file, retrieve - Data (4.05)
  18. Listen - People (4.00)
  19. Use acute senses (hearing, smell, taste, sight) - Data (3.88)
  20. Communicate well, in person - People (3.88)
  21. Communicate well, in writing - People (3.88)
  22. Consult - People (3.85)
  23. Speak - People (3.62)
  24. Initiate, lead, be a pioneer - People (3.51)
  25. Synthesize, combine parts into a whole - Data (3.50)
  26. Organize, classify - Data (3.50)

ONET Skills

ONET Abilities

ONET Work Styles
  1. Reading Comprehension (4.00)
  2. Critical Thinking (4.00)
  3. Active Listening (3.88)
  4. Writing (3.75)
  5. Speaking (3.62)
  6. Science (3.62)
  7. Complex Problem Solving (3.62)
  8. Mathematics (3.50)
  1. Oral Comprehension (4.00)
  2. Written Comprehension (4.00)
  3. Problem Sensitivity (4.00)
  4. Deductive Reasoning (4.00)
  5. Inductive Reasoning (4.00)
  6. Oral Expression (3.88)
  7. Written Expression (3.88)
  8. Near Vision (3.88)
  9. Category Flexibility (3.62)
  10. Mathematical Reasoning (3.62)
  11. Information Ordering (3.50)
  1. Analytical Thinking (4.64)
  2. Integrity (4.51)
  3. Attention to Detail (4.33)
  4. Initiative (4.28)
  5. Dependability (4.23)
  6. Achievement/Effort (4.21)
  7. Innovation (4.15)
  8. Persistence (4.13)
  9. Independence (3.95)
  10. Cooperation (3.92)
  11. Adaptability/Flexibility (3.77)
  12. Leadership (3.51)

Work Activities

Detailed Work Activities
  1. Getting Information (4.59)
  2. Making Decisions and Solving Problems (4.46)
  3. Analyzing Data or Information (4.41)
  4. Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (4.33)
  5. Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (4.26)
  6. Thinking Creatively (4.21)
  7. Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (4.18)
  8. Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material (4.16)
  9. Interacting With Computers (4.08)
  10. Processing Information (4.05)
  11. Documenting/Recording Information (3.90)
  12. Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (3.87)
  13. Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (3.87)
  14. Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (3.85)
  15. Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (3.82)
  16. Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (3.72)
  17. Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People (3.51)
  1. Study Structure Or Properties Of Submicroscopic Matter (4.59)
  2. Collect Scientific Or Technical Data (4.59)
  3. Read Blueprints (4.59)
  4. Read Technical Drawings (4.59)
  5. Use Intuitive Judgment For Engineering Analyses (4.46)
  6. Resolve Engineering Or Science Problems (4.46)
  7. Analyze Technical Data, Designs, Or Preliminary Specifications (4.41)
  8. Analyze Engineering Design Problems (4.41)
  9. Determine Factors Affecting Production Processes (4.41)
  10. Analyze Project Proposal To Determine Feasibility, Cost, Or Time (4.41)
  11. Analyze Scientific Research Data Or Investigative Findings (4.41)
  12. Perform Statistical Analysis In Physical Science Or Geological Research (4.41)
  13. Analyze Test Data (4.41)
  14. Analyze Engineering Test Data (4.41)
  15. Conduct Analyses To Determine Physical Properties Of Materials (4.41)
  16. Provide Analytical Assessment Of Engineering Data (4.41)
  17. Conduct Laboratory Research Or Experiments (4.41)
  18. Evaluate Costs Of Engineering Projects (4.41)
  19. Test Materials Or Solutions (4.41)
  20. Conduct Standardized Qualitative Laboratory Analyses (4.41)
  21. Evaluate Engineering Data (4.41)
  22. Conduct Standardized Quantitative Laboratory Analyses (4.41)
  23. Evaluate Manufacturing Or Processing Systems (4.41)
  24. Evaluate Material Specifications (4.41)
  25. Use Quantitative Research Methods (4.26)
  26. Use Research Methodology Procedures Within Manufacturing Or Commerce (4.26)
  27. Follow Manufacturing Methods Or Techniques (4.26)
  28. Use Scientific Research Methodology (4.26)
  29. Follow Safe Waste Disposal Procedures (4.26)
  30. Use Chemical Testing Or Analysis Procedures (4.26)
  31. Use Technical Information In Manufacturing Or Industrial Activities (4.26)
  32. Use Drafting Or Mechanical Drawing Techniques (4.26)
  33. Use Technical Regulations For Engineering Problems (4.26)
  34. Use Knowledge Of Investigation Techniques (4.26)
  35. Use Government Regulations (4.26)
  36. Use Long Or Short Term Production Planning Techniques (4.26)
  37. Use Library Or Online Internet Research Techniques (4.26)
  38. Use Hazardous Materials Information (4.26)
  39. Use Knowledge Of Materials Testing Procedures (4.26)
  40. Use Robotics Systems Technology (4.26)
  41. Use Mathematical Or Statistical Methods To Identify Or Analyze Problems (4.26)
  42. Follow Statistical Process Control Procedures (4.26)
  43. Use Pollution Control Techniques (4.26)
  44. Use Physical Science Research Techniques (4.26)
  45. Use Metal Processing Methodology (4.26)
  46. Use Project Management Techniques (4.26)
  47. Use Quality Assurance Techniques (4.26)
  48. Design Electronic Equipment (4.21)
  49. Design Machines (4.21)
  50. Improve Test Devices Or Techniques In Manufacturing, Industrial Or Engineering Setting (4.21)
  51. Design Manufacturing Processes Or Methods (4.21)
  52. Design Waste Recovery Methods (4.21)
  53. Create Mathematical Or Statistical Diagrams Or Charts (4.21)
  54. Design Engineered Systems (4.21)
  55. Understand Properties Of Gases Or Liquids (4.18)
  56. Understand Engineering Data Or Reports (4.18)
  57. Recognize Characteristics Of Alloys (4.18)
  58. Recognize Characteristics Of Metals (4.18)
  59. Develop Or Maintain Databases (4.08)
  60. Use Relational Database Software (4.08)
  61. Use Spreadsheet Software (4.08)
  62. Use Computer Aided Drafting Or Design Software For Design, Drafting, Modeling, Or Other Engineering Tasks (4.08)
  63. Use Computers To Enter, Access Or Retrieve Data (4.08)
  64. Use Word Processing Or Desktop Publishing Software (4.08)
  65. Compile Numerical Or Statistical Data (4.05)
  66. Develop Tables Depicting Data (4.05)
  67. Plan Testing Of Engineering Methods (3.87)
  68. Estimate Cost For Engineering Projects (3.87)
  69. Estimate Materials Or Labor Requirements (3.87)
  70. Confer With Research Personnel (3.85)
  71. Confer With Engineering, Technical Or Manufacturing Personnel (3.85)
  72. Explain Complex Mathematical Information (3.82)
  73. Examine Engineering Documents For Completeness Or Accuracy (3.72)