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Summary Job Description | Tasks | |||
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 engi neers. | Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions. | |||
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Monitor material performance and evaluate material deterioration. | ||||
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Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists. | ||||
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Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures. | ||||
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Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives. | ||||
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Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality. | ||||
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Perform managerial functions, such as preparing proposals and budgets, analyzing labor costs, and writing reports. | ||||
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Solve problems in a number of engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace. | ||||
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Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and corporate executives as necessary. | ||||
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Review new product plans and make recommendations for material selection based on design objectives, such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost. | ||||
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Design processing plants and equipment. | ||||
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Modify properties of metal alloys, using thermal and mechanical treatments. | ||||
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Guide technical staff engaged in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices. | ||||
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Plan and implement laboratory operations for the purpose of developing material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards. | ||||
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Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials. | ||||
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Conduct training sessions on new material products, applications, or manufacturing methods for customers and their employees. | ||||
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Supervise production and testing processes in industrial settings, such as metal refining facilities, smelting or foundry operations, or nonmetallic materials production operations. | ||||
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Write for technical magazines, journals, and trade association publications. | ||||
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Replicate the characteristics of materials and their components with computers. | ||||
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Teach in colleges and universities. | ||||
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CompGeo Salary Survey Benchmark Job Summary and Competencies
Materials Engineers
The Benchmark Job Description below represents the specific Position Characteristics of the job used in the Salary Survey. Benchmark Job Descriptions should be inspected carefully to review the degree of matching between an organizations' Job and the Salary Survey Benchmark. Matching internal Jobs to Salary Survey Benchmark Jobs should not be done on Job Title alone. A thorough comparison of Salary Survey Benchmark to Internal Job Descriptions is recommended. A good overlap should exist on any comparisons used on critical Job Dimensions and Competencies.- Job Description
- Knowledges
- Skills
- Abilites
- Tools and Technology
- Education and Experience
- Alternate Job Titles
- Salaries
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Important Knowledge Competencies | Competency Description | |||
Engineering and Technology | Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. | |||
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Chemistry | Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. | |||
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English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. | |||
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Mathematics | Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. | |||
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Physics | Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes. | |||
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Production and Processing | Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. | |||
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Customer and Personal Service | Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. | |||
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Important Skill Competencies | Competency Description | |||
Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. | |||
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Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. | |||
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Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. | |||
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Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. | |||
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Complex Problem Solving | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. | |||
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Writing | Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. | |||
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Science | Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. | |||
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Operations Analysis | Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design. | |||
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Judgment and Decision Making | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. | |||
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Monitoring | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. | |||
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Active Learning | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. | |||
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Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. | |||
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Coordination | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. | |||
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Time Management | Managing one's own time and the time of others. | |||
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Mathematics | Using mathematics to solve problems. | |||
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Persuasion | Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. | |||
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Instructing | Teaching others how to do something. | |||
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Operation Monitoring | Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. | |||
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Systems Analysis | Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. | |||
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Systems Evaluation | Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. | |||
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Management of Personnel Resources | Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job. | |||
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Learning Strategies | Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. | |||
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Negotiation | Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences. | |||
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Important Ability Competencies | Competency Description | |||
Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |||
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Problem Sensitivity | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. | |||
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Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. | |||
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Deductive Reasoning | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. | |||
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Inductive Reasoning | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). | |||
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Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |||
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Written Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. | |||
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Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). | |||
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Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). | |||
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Category Flexibility | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. | |||
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Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. | |||
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Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. | |||
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Fluency of Ideas | The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). | |||
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Originality | The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. | |||
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Mathematical Reasoning | The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem. | |||
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Selective Attention | The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. | |||
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Flexibility of Closure | The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. | |||
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Perceptual Speed | The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. | |||
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Visualization | The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. | |||
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Far Vision | The ability to see details at a distance. | |||
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Number Facility | The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly. | |||
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Tools/Technology Example | Product Category | |||
ANSYS Multiphysics | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Autodesk AutoCAD software | Computer aided design CAD software | |||
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C++ | Object or component oriented development software | |||
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Computer aided design CAD software | Computer aided design CAD software | |||
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Data entry software | Data base user interface and query software | |||
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Digital image correlation DIC software | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Fault detection isolation and recovery FDIR software | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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Formula translation/translator FORTRAN | Development environment software | |||
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Fused deposition modeling FDM rapid prototyping systems | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | |||
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Graphics software | Graphics or photo imaging software | |||
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Image analysis systems | Analytical or scientific software | |||
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MTS Testworks | Data base user interface and query software | |||
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Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | |||
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Microsoft Office Visio | Charting software | |||
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Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | |||
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Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | |||
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Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | |||
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Microsoft Visual Basic | Development environment software | |||
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Microsoft Visual Basic.NET | Object or component oriented development software | |||
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Microsoft Word | Word processing software | |||
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National Instruments LabVIEW | Development environment software | |||
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PTC Pro/ENGINEER software | Computer aided design CAD software | |||
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Presentation software | Presentation software | |||
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QMC CM4D | Data base user interface and query software | |||
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Stereolithography SLA rapid prototyping systems | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | |||
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Web browser software | Internet browser software | |||
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Word processing software | Word processing software | |||
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Abrasion testers | Abrasion testers | |||
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Accelerated weathering machines | Ageing ovens | |||
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Accelerometers | Accelerometers | |||
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Acoustic impediography equipment | Impedance meters | |||
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Adhesion testers | Metal testing instruments | |||
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Adiabatic bomb calorimeters | Calorimeters | |||
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Ammeters | Ammeters | |||
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Analytical balances | Analytical balances | |||
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Atomic absorption AA spectrophotometers | Spectrophotometers | |||
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Atomic force microscopes | Scanning probe microscopes | |||
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Attritors | Grinding or polishing machines | |||
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Ball mills | Laboratory mills | |||
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Balling drums | Twin screw extruder | |||
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Band saws | Power saws | |||
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Benchtop centrifuges | Benchtop centrifuges | |||
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Binocular compound microscopes | Binocular light compound microscopes | |||
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Calorimeters | Calorimeters | |||
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Cement mixers | Plaster or mortar mixers | |||
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Charpy impact testers | Impact testers | |||
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Colorimeters | Colorimeters | |||
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Compression testing machines | Compression testers | |||
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Computer numerical controlled CNC milling machines | Milling cutters | |||
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Computerized numerical control CNC lathes | Lathes | |||
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Concrete test hammers | Concrete or cement testing instruments | |||
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Coordinate measuring machines CMM | Coordinate measuring machines CMM | |||
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Counter-current mixers | Laboratory mixers | |||
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Current versus voltage IV curve tracers | Graphic recorders | |||
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Dataloggers | Portable data input terminals | |||
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Deionizers | Ion exchange apparatus | |||
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Differential scanning calorimeters | Calorimeters | |||
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Differential thermal analyzers | Thermal differential analyzers | |||
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Diffractometers | Diffractometers | |||
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Digital cameras | Digital cameras | |||
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Digitizing oscilloscopes | Oscilloscopes | |||
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Drop weight impact towers | Impact testers | |||
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Drying ovens | Drying cabinets or ovens | |||
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Durometers | Hardness testers | |||
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Electrometers | Electrometers | |||
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Electron microprobe analyzers EMPA | Electron microscopes | |||
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Electronic toploading balances | Electronic toploading balances | |||
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Electrostatic separators | Laboratory separators | |||
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Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometers EDS | Spectrometers | |||
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Etching equipment | Semiconductor process systems | |||
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Extensometers | Extensometers | |||
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Fiberscopes | Borescope inspection equipment | |||
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Film thickness measurement systems | Thickness measuring devices | |||
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Filter presses | Filtering machinery | |||
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Flame photometers | Photometers | |||
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Flotation columns | Bubble columns | |||
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Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectroscopes | Infrared spectrometers | |||
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Freeze-thaw test units | Concrete or cement testing instruments | |||
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Friction and wear testers | Wear testers | |||
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Fume hoods | Fume hoods or cupboards | |||
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Gas chromatographs GC | Gas chromatographs | |||
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Gas detectors | Leak testing equipment | |||
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Gauss meters | Electromagnetic field meters | |||
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Gel permeation chromatographs GPC | Chromatographic scanners | |||
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Graphite element furnaces | Programmable tube furnaces | |||
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Gyratory crushers | Gyratory crushers | |||
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Hardness testers | Hardness testers | |||
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Heated walk-in environmental chambers | Heated walk in environmental or growth chambers | |||
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High pressure liquid chromatograph HPLC equipment | High pressure liquid chromatograph chromatography | |||
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High temperature material testing systems | Tension testers | |||
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High tension separators | Laboratory separators | |||
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High-vacuum tensile testing chambers | Tension testers | |||
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Holding jigs | Positioning jig | |||
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Hot blenders | Laboratory blenders or emulsifiers | |||
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Hydraulic presses | Hydraulic press frames | |||
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Impact testers | Impact testers | |||
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Inert atmosphere box furnaces | Laboratory box furnaces | |||
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Infrared cameras | Infrared imagers | |||
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Infrared monitors | Infrared imagers | |||
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Injection molders | Injection molding machines | |||
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Isodynamic separators | Laboratory separators | |||
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Jar mills | Laboratory mills | |||
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Jaw crushers | Jaw crushers | |||
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Kneading compactors | Vibratory plates | |||
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Laboratory blenders | Laboratory blenders or emulsifiers | |||
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Laboratory glove boxes | Isolation glove boxes | |||
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Laboratory microwave ovens | Laboratory microwave ovens | |||
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Laboratory pulverizers | Laboratory crushers or pulverizers | |||
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Laboratory sample splitters | Laboratory crushers or pulverizers | |||
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Laboratory test sieves | Test sieves | |||
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Laboratory vacuum pumps | Laboratory vacuum pumps | |||
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Laminators | Laminators | |||
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Lapping wheels | Grinders | |||
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Laser Doppler velocimeters LDV | Flowmeters | |||
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Lathes | Lathes | |||
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Linear variable differential transformers LVDT | Linear position sensors | |||
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Liquid conditioners | Water conditioners | |||
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Load frames | Load frame | |||
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Magnetic separators | Laboratory separators | |||
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Magnetic susceptibility balances | Analytical balances | |||
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Masonry cutters | Power saws | |||
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Mass spectrometers | Mass spectrometers | |||
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Mechanical sieve shakers | Orbital shakers | |||
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Melt spinners | Crucible furnaces | |||
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Micromanipulators | Semiconductor process systems | |||
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Microscope photo attachments | Photo attachments for microscopes | |||
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Microwave autoclaves | Steam autoclaves or sterilizers | |||
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Microwave sintering furnaces | High vacuum combustion apparatus | |||
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Microwave tube furnaces | Tube furnaces | |||
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Molecular pumps | Laboratory vacuum pumps | |||
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Muffle furnaces | Laboratory box furnaces | |||
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Optical compound microscopes | Binocular light compound microscopes | |||
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Optical emission spectrometers | Infrared spectrometers | |||
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Oscillating water tunnels | Flow transmitters | |||
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Particle size analyzers | Optical diffraction apparatus | |||
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Permeability measuring devices | Permeability testing apparatus | |||
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Personal computers | Personal computers | |||
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Pit depth gauges | Depth gauges | |||
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Plasma-arc furnaces | High vacuum combustion apparatus | |||
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Polarizing microscopes | Polarizing microscopes | |||
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Polishing machines | Grinding or polishing machines | |||
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Porosity indicators | Porosimeters | |||
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Pycnometers | Pycnometers | |||
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Reflectometers | Reflectometers | |||
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Rod mills | Laboratory mills | |||
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Roll crushers | Roll crushers | |||
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Rotating furnaces | High vacuum combustion apparatus | |||
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Safety glasses | Safety glasses | |||
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Safety gloves | Protective gloves | |||
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Sample presses | Laboratory crushers or pulverizers | |||
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Sanding machines | Pneumatic sanding machines | |||
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Scanning electron microscopes SEM | Scanning electron microscopes | |||
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Screw-driven test machines | Compression testers | |||
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Servohydraulic test machines | Fatigue testers | |||
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Slurry blenders | Laboratory blenders or emulsifiers | |||
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Solar simulators | Ageing ovens | |||
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Solid state laser systems | Lasers | |||
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Solvent dryers | Induction dryers | |||
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Sonometers | Sonometers | |||
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Specific gravity balances | Laboratory balances | |||
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Spectrocolorimeters | Colorimeters | |||
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Spectrometers | Spectrometers | |||
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Spectrophotometers | Spectrophotometers | |||
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Stabilometers | Concrete or cement testing instruments | |||
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Steam autoclaves | Steam autoclaves or sterilizers | |||
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Stereo microscopes | Stereo or dissecting light microscopes | |||
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Strain gauges | Strain gauges | |||
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Temperature regulated shaking water baths | Orbital shaking water baths | |||
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Tensile testers | Tension testers | |||
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Tension gauges | Tensiometers | |||
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Thermal analysis systems | Thermal differential analyzers | |||
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Thermogravimetric analyzers | Calorimeters | |||
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Tube furnaces | Tube furnaces | |||
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Turbidimeters | Turbidimeters | |||
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Twin screw extruders | Twin screw extruder | |||
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Twin-screw extruders | Twin screw extruder | |||
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Ultrasonic baths | Immersion circulators | |||
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Ultrasonic dismembrators | Homogenizers | |||
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Ultrasonicators | Homogenizers | |||
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Ultrasound inspection equipment | Ultrasonic examination equipment | |||
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Ultraviolet UV exposure units | Infrared dryers | |||
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Vacuum coating systems | Optical vacuum coating equipment | |||
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Vacuum evaporators | Laboratory evaporators | |||
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Vacuum furnaces | Vacuum ovens | |||
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Vibration analysis equipment | Vibration testers | |||
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Viscosity meters | Viscosimeters | |||
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Water burets | Laboratory burets | |||
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Water-cooled saws | Power saws | |||
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Wind tunnels | Flow transmitters | |||
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X ray fluorescence XRF analyzers | Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters | |||
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X ray fluorescence XRF spectrometers | Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters | |||
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pH testers | pH meters | |||
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Prerequisite Qualification Category | Education and Experience Level | |||
Required Level of Education | Bachelor's Degree | |||
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Related Work Experience | Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years | |||
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On-Site or In-Plant Training | Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years | |||
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On-Site or In-Plant Training | Up to and including 1 month | |||
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Alternate Job Title(s) | |||
Automation Engineer | |||
Automotive Sheet Metal Engineer | |||
Ceramic Design Engineer | |||
Ceramic Engineer | |||
Ceramic Research Engineer | |||
Ceramics Test Engineer | |||
Corrosion Engineer | |||
Design Engineer | |||
Extractive Metallurgist | |||
Failure Analysis Technician | |||
Forensic Materials Engineer | |||
Foundry Metallurgist | |||
Foundry Process Engineer | |||
Glass Science Engineer | |||
Green Building Materials Designer | |||
Manufacturing Engineer | |||
Material Analyst | |||
Materials Branch Chief | |||
Materials Development Engineer | |||
Materials Engineer | |||
Materials Engineering Superintendent | |||
Materials Research Engineer | |||
Materials Specialist | |||
Materials and Processes Manager | |||
Metallographer | |||
Metallurgical Engineer | |||
Metallurgical Specialist | |||
Metallurgist | |||
Nanotechnologist | |||
Physical Metallurgist | |||
Plating Engineer | |||
Process Engineer | |||
Refining Engineer | |||
Research Assistant | |||
Research Engineer | |||
Smelting Engineer | |||
Stress Engineer | |||
Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) | |||
Test Engineer | |||
Testing Engineer | |||
Welding Engineer | |||
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