Materials specialist

Materials specialist job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Materials specialists often work with electrical and mechanical engineers, designers, marketers and other scientists as part of multi-disciplinary teams.

Their work involves:

• conducting research
• discussing operational requirements
• running computer models
• analysing data
• developing products
• providing accurate cost figures
• consulting with regulatory officials
• keeping up to date with technological and legal developments.

Their scientific approach to problem solving means that they are often in demand in other industries, such as IT, technical sales and marketing, and consultancy.

Typical employers of materials specialists

• engineering and construction companies
• recycling companies
• oil and gas companies
• smaller manufacturers

Qualifications and training required

Most employers will require a minimum 2.1 degree in engineering subjects (mechanical, chemical, biochemical engineering) or science subjects (physics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry). Employers will also look favorably on postgraduate qualifications, especially those which relate to their area of specialism, or areas they wish to move in to.

Key skills for materials specialists

• good IT skills
• analytical skills
• communication skills.