Materials Engineers

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts that job growth for materials engineers will increase 7 percent, faster than the average, through 2033. "As demand for new materials and manufacturing processes continues to increase, more materials engineers are expected to be needed to help develop these products and systems," the DOL explains. "For example, new metal alloys are expected to be developed to make airplanes lighter and more fuel efficient. A greater focus on environmental sustainability also may create demand for materials engineers."

Beyond aerospace manufacturing, industries that focus on new medical or scientific products will need materials engineers to design new uses for materials. Research and development companies will also need materials engineers to develop materials technology for consumer products, industrial processes, and medicine. The field of materials engineering is small, and the number of students pursuing study in this discipline is low. This should create opportunities for aspiring materials engineers, especially in areas such as biomedical engineering. Materials engineers who participated in internships and work co-op programs while in college will have an advantage in the job market. Also, employers will prefer to hire engineers who have experience with computer modeling and simulations.