The world of engineering is often associated with innovation and development. However, there’s a field in engineering that believes in bringing about innovation by creating smart materials by blending materials for sustainability and energy conservation.
Do you wish to become an engineer that borrows from multiple disciplines in engineering? Maybe you should try materials engineering.
In this article, we will cover- how to become a materials engineer, the educational qualification required to become a Materials Engineer, the top courses and colleges in India, the job preparation required, and the salary insights.
Who is a Materials Engineer?
A materials engineer understands a material’s composition and qualities to create, test, and process the material. Materials engineers may use include composites, metals, ceramics, and polymers. They undertake a variety of tasks, including test-running, material and data analysis, troubleshooting, etc.
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How to Become a Materials Engineer
A person who wants to become a Materials engineer will have to study Material science. It is a multidisciplinary area of study that promotes research and development. The learnings from this field can help in bringing about significant differences in industries.
Step 1: Stream to select
Like any other engineering course, it is a prerequisite that the candidate pursues his 10 + 2 or equivalent in the science stream. Post which they will have to appear for a national level entrance exam, or university level entrance examination to qualify for an undergraduate seat.
Step 2: Certification Courses & Project Courses
The certificate courses cover specific subjects in material science or the fundamentals. The course duration is mostly 3-6 months. They are a good addition to your portfolio. Here are a few certificate courses:
Name of the course | Duration |
Fundamentals of Materials Science | 3 – 6 months |
Material Behaviour by Georgia Institute of Technology | 1 – 3 months |
Structure of Materials by MITx | 16 weeks |
Mechanical Behaviour of Materials by | 5 weeks |
Materials Science and Engineering by IIT Roorkee | 8 weeks |
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Step 3: Educational Qualifications
After Grade 12 in science, one will have to enroll in an undergraduate program to become a materials engineer. Post which you can register for specific specializations during postgraduation in Materials Science and Engineering. Though not a critical criterion, a Master’s degree will help in gaining higher knowledge of the field.
How to become a Materials Engineer After 12th
To become a Materials Engineer you will have to enrol in an engineering program in Materials Science. Wherein you will learn about the nature and properties of materials, phase transformation, process modelling, Polymer processing, etc.
To become a materials engineer in India the eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Minimum of 55% in Grade 10 + 2 or equivalent from a recognized board and university.
- Qualify for entrance exams like – JEE Mains, VITEEE, SRMJEEE, MHTCET, etc.
- UG courses In India
Name of the course | Duration |
BTech in Materials Engineering | 4 years |
BTech in Metallurgical and Materials Science | 4 years |
BTech in Materials Science and Engineering | 4 years |
- Top colleges
Name of the College | Location |
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras | Madras |
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi | Delhi |
COEP | Pune |
Indian Institiute of Technology (IIT) Bombay | Bombay |
IIEST Shibpur | West Bengal |
Indian Institiute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur | Kharagpur |
Indian Institiute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee | Roorkee |
NIT Trichy | Tiruchirappalli |
National Institute of Technology | Karnataka |
National Institute of Technology | Rourkela |
To become a materials engineer abroad
The eligibility criteria for an undergraduate degree in materials science are:
- Minimum 55% in Grade 10 + 2 or equivalent from recognized board or university.
- TOEFL score of min. 90
- IELTS score of min. 6.5
- UG courses abroad
Name of the course | Duration |
BSc Hons in Materials Science | 4 years |
Bachelor of Applied Science in Materials Engineering | 4 years |
Materials Science and Engineering, BSE | 4 years |
Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering | 4 years |
Bachelor in Material Physics and Nanotechnologies | 4 years |
- Top colleges
Name of the College | Location |
University of Toronto | Canada |
The University of British Columbia | Canada |
Arizona State University | Tempe, USA |
Texas A & M University | USA |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | USA |
McGill University | Canada |
Stanford University | USA |
Kaunas University of Technology | Lithuania |
University of Manchester, Manchester, UK | UK |
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA | USA |
Read more: How to become a Mechanical Engineer
Step 4: Job Prep required to become a Materials Engineer
- Internships
Internships are provided by companies for research and development purposes. Apart from this, universities make it mandatory for students to complete internships during the final year of their graduation.
These internships can also result in permanent or full-time positions. It is a great way to get mentoring and build connections.
- Portfolio creation
A portfolio will highlight the projects you have worked on, the case studies, references, and certifications.
- Freelance
Freelance positions are readily available for Materials engineers, provided you have a few years of experience and recommendations to your credit.
Skills to become a Materials Engineer
- Leadership capabilities
- Organisational abilities
- Interpersonal and communication abilities
- Commercial sensitivity
- Attention to details
- Adaptability
- Effortless production
- Problem-solving
- Technological and scientific expertise
Salary for a Materials Engineer
The pay of a Materials Engineer differs based on experience, location, and sector of employment.
Salary abroad for a Materials Engineer (different location, graph/table)
Location | India | US | UK | Australia | Canada | Japan | UAE |
Avg. Salary p.a. | ₹ 5.4 LPA | $89,832 | £47,000 | $83,400 | C$71236 | 5208000 JPY | 18,900 AED |
Top recruiters in India
- Shell
- The Indian Hotels
- Agilent Technologies
- Pilog
- GE.
- General Motors
- Baker Hughe
- Jio
- Honeywell
- ExxonMobil
Top recruiters abroad
- Northvolt, Sweden
- AMS OSRAM, Germany
- Bridgestone, Italy
- GE Aviation, Poland
- Convatec, UK
- Flex, Ireland
- Continental, Hungary
- Aker Solutions, Norway
- Coloplast, Denmark
- Vitesco Technologies, Germany
There are a lot of jobs in Materials Science and Engineering. If you are someone who enjoys being a part of research and wants to contribute to the upcoming field such as nanotechnology, you should definitely consider becoming a Material Engineer.
FAQs about how to become a Materials Engineer
Who is a Materials Engineer?
A materials engineer understands a material’s composition and qualities to create, test, and process the material. Materials engineers may use include composites, metals, ceramics, and polymers.
What are the skills of a Materials Engineer?
Leadership capabilities, organisational abilities, interpersonal and communication abilities, commercial sensitivity, attention to detail, adaptability, effortless production, problem-solving, and technological and scientific expertise.
How much does a Materials Engineer earn in India?
A Materials Engineer earns ₹ 5.4 LPA in India.
Which stream should I choose after Class 10 to become a Materials Engineer?
Like any other engineering course, it is a prerequisite that the candidate pursues his 10 + 2 or equivalent in the science stream. Post which they will have to appear for a national level entrance exam, or university level entrance examination to qualify for an undergraduate seat.
Who are the recruiters for Materials Engineer in India?
Shell, The Indian Hotels, Agilent Technologies, Pilog, GE, General Motors, Baker Hughe, Jio, Honeywell, ExxonMobil