National Occupation Code (NOC): 21322

Metallurgical and materials engineers conduct studies of the properties and characteristics of metals and other non-metallic materials and plan, design and develop machinery and processes to concentrate, extract, refine and process metals, alloys and other materials such as ceramics, semiconductors and composite materials. They are employed in consulting engineering firms, mining, metal processing and manufacturing companies, and in government, research and educational institutions.

Follow This Occupation Share

Job Duties for Metallurgical and materials engineers

• Conduct studies and design, develop and specify the processes, and machinery to concentrate, extract, refine and process metals from ores
• Conduct studies on the properties and characteristics of materials and design, develop and specify processes for moulding, shaping, forming and thermal treatment of metals, alloys and metallic systems, ceramics, semiconducting and other materials
• Conduct chemical and physical analytical studies, failure analyses and other studies and recommend material selection, design of materials, corrosion control measures, operational testing and other procedures
• Coordinate production testing and control of metal refining, smelting or foundry operations or non-metallic materials production operations
• Supervise technologists, technicians and other engineers and scientists.

Employment Requirements for Metallurgical and materials engineers

• A bachelor's degree in metallurgical, materials, ceramic or chemical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
• A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
• Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
• Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.

Alternate Job Titles

• Ceramics Engineer
• Coal Preparation Consulting Engineer
• Corrosion Engineer
• Electrometallurgical Engineer
• Extractive Engineer
• Extractive Metallurgy Engineer
• Foundry Engineer
• Hydrometallurgical Engineer
• Materials Engineer
• Metallurgical Engineer
• Physical Metallurgical Engineer
• Pyrometallurgical Engineer
• Refining And Metalworking Engineer
• Smelting Plant Engineer
• Welding Engineer
• Welding Engineer