Materials Engineer
Selects and tests metals, polymers and composites and works out why parts fail.
Save this career to see your personalized pathway in My Senda.
- Typical pay
- €28k–€58k
- Usual education
- Degree
- Outlook
- Growing with batteries, lightweighting, recycling and additive manufacturing.
A day in the life
Running a tensile test, examining a fracture under a microscope, then advising the design team.
Ways in
- Materials science degree
- Lab technician then degree
- Manufacturer graduate scheme
What to study at 16
The subjects you choose for the final years of secondary school can shape which degrees, exams and careers are easiest to reach. This is about choosing courses, not choosing a school.
Spain
Bachillerato de Ciencias y Tecnología
Portugal
Ciências e Tecnologias
France
Bac général — spécialités
Germany
Oberstufe — Leistungskurse
Italy
Liceo scientifico
Netherlands
Profiel Natuur & Techniek
Exams you'll need
The gates between you and this job, and when each one comes.
Browse all examsSkills that matter
Best courses to take
The study routes that lead most directly into this career.
BEng Materials Science & Engineering
Metals, polymers and composites — why things break and how to stop them.
Core degree; labs and testing experience matter.
Helpful school subjects: Metallurgy, Polymers, Testing, Failure analysis