O*NET-SOC 17-2131.00 · US REFERENCE
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.
Skill importance below is an O*NET US occupational rating, not a global or individual benchmark. No score here is a job-loss probability or a prediction.
Examples of work in this occupation
- Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- Review new product plans, and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
O*NET task statements describe US work; do not perform regulated or hazardous tasks without appropriate training and authorization.
Skills to examine first
Reading Comprehension
US occupation importance: 4.00/5 · rating last updated 2026-08-01
Summarise a public, role-relevant document in five points; verify each point against the source.
Active Listening
US occupation importance: 4.00/5 · rating last updated 2026-08-01
Ask a peer to explain a fictional work problem; paraphrase it and check what you missed.
Writing
US occupation importance: 4.00/5 · rating last updated 2026-08-01
Draft a one-page explanation of a fictional decision for a non-specialist; ask for clarity feedback.
Speaking
US occupation importance: 4.00/5 · rating last updated 2026-08-01
Explain a safe example of your work in two minutes, then ask which point was unclear.
Mathematics
US occupation importance: 4.00/5 · rating last updated 2026-08-01
Check a public numerical example, including units and assumptions; explain the result.
Science
US occupation importance: 4.00/5 · rating last updated 2026-08-01
Turn a fictional claim into a testable question; list evidence that would change your view.
These prompts are RolePaths practice suggestions, not O*NET instructions, training or certification.
Related work to compare
O*NET marks these occupations as related. That is a comparison starting point, not a guaranteed career transition. Check local licensing and entry requirements.
Your next seven days
- Choose one skill above and a fictional or non-confidential work example.
- Practise for 20 minutes on three days; keep one small output.
- Ask a qualified peer for feedback against clear criteria.
- Reassess the same career and record what changed.
Source and limits
Occupation definition, task examples, skill importance and related-occupation links come from the US O*NET 31.0 Database. RolePaths selected the top six skills by importance and authored the practice prompts. Career fit, local salaries, automation timing and licensing have not been verified.