Materials Engineers

Extrusion Engineer

Materials Development Engineer

Materials Engineer

Materials Research Engineer

Metallurgical Engineer

Metallurgist

Research Engineer

Test Engineer

What is a Materials Engineer?

Materials Engineers are professionals who specialize in the development, processing, and testing of materials used to create a wide range of products, from everyday items to advanced technological components. They study the properties and structures of various materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites, to enhance or innovate their performance in specific applications. By understanding the relationships between a material's structure and its properties, Materials Engineers can determine how to best utilize those materials to meet the demands of manufacturing, product design, and sustainability.

Materials Engineers collaborate with scientists and other engineers to explore innovative ways to create materials that are stronger, lighter, more durable, or more cost-effective. They are involved in various phases of product development, from initial design through to production, often conducting experiments and simulations to assess how materials behave under different conditions. Their work is crucial in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, energy, and biomedical engineering, where material selection can significantly impact safety, efficiency, and overall performance.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$63340.0 - $165580.0

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

Tasks

Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.

Technology Skills

Analytical or scientific software
- ANSYS Multiphysics
- Image analysis systems
- Minitab
- The MathWorks MATLAB
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Computer aided design CAD software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- PTC Creo Parametric
Data base user interface and query software
- Microsoft Access
- MTS Testworks
- Oracle Database
- QMC CM4D
Development environment software
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- National Instruments LabVIEW

Tools Used

Laboratory separators
Laboratory mills
Tension testers
Twin screw extruder
Concrete or cement testing instruments

Knowledge

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.
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.
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.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

129 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R47,196pm

How to Know if You are Ready to be a Materials Engineer in South Africa

Materials Engineering is the backbone of South Africa’s industrial and manufacturing sectors. From developing resilient alloys for our mining industry to pioneering sustainable polymers for local packaging, this career is both challenging and rewarding. Currently, the market remains active with 142 active jobs available. Financially, the sector is on an upward trajectory; while the current average salary is R47,196pm, data from 2024 shows a steady monthly increase from R41,532 in January to a projected R51,916 by December. This growth reflects the increasing demand for specialized technical expertise in the local labour market.

Is Materials Engineering Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before committing to this rigorous career path, consider if your natural inclinations align with the core demands of the profession. Ask yourself if you possess the following traits:

Analytical Rigour: Do you enjoy breaking down complex problems into their fundamental chemical and physical components?
Attention to Detail: Are you someone who notices minute flaws or changes in textures, structures, and compositions?
A "Solutionist" Mindset: Do you have a natural drive to improve how things work, making them stronger, lighter, or more cost-effective?
Scientific Curiosity: Are you genuinely interested in the "why" behind material failures or the molecular structure of new composites?
Ethical Responsibility: Are you committed to safety standards and environmental sustainability in industrial processes?
Technological Adaptability: Are you comfortable working with advanced laboratory equipment and sophisticated modelling software?

A Day in the Life: The South African Context

In South Africa, a Materials Engineer’s day is rarely confined to a single desk. You might begin your morning in a high-tech laboratory in Gauteng, analysing the stress fractures of a drill bit used in the deep-level mines of the North West. By midday, you could be on a manufacturing floor, collaborating with production managers to optimise a heat-treatment programme for automotive components destined for export from Port Elizabeth. Your afternoon might involve drafting technical reports that ensure compliance with South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) regulations. It is a career that balances forensic investigation with innovative design, requiring you to communicate effectively with both site foremen and corporate executives.

Education, Upskilling, and the Path to Professionalism

To enter this field in South Africa, a formal qualification is non-negotiable. Most practitioners hold a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering from an ECSA-accredited university. For those pursuing a more practical route, a National Diploma or BTech from a TVET college or University of Technology serves as a vital entry point into specialized technical roles.

However, a degree is only the beginning. The rapid pace of global industrialisation means that continuous learning is the key to longevity in this profession. To stay competitive, you should look into:

Professional Registration: Working towards Candidate and eventually Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) status with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
Short Courses: Specialized certifications in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Project Management, or Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001).
Niche Specialisations: Attending workshops on additive manufacturing (3D printing) or renewable energy materials to stay ahead of local market trends.

Next Steps

Deciding on a career in Materials Engineering is a significant move that requires a blend of academic dedication and practical passion. If you find yourself excited by the prospect of shaping the physical world and contributing to South Africa's industrial future, it is time to validate your instincts. Test your readiness now by taking our comprehensive career assessment to see if you have the technical aptitude and personality profile to thrive as a Materials Engineer.

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.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities

Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

Bachelor's degree

48 %
Doctoral degree

33 %
Master's degree

10 %

Work Activities

Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Detailed Work Activities

Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.
Direct quality control activities.
Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.
Evaluate technical data to determine effect on designs or plans.
Test characteristics of materials or structures.

Work Interests

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.
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.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.