Metallurgical engineers research and design stronger, lighter, and more versatile products and equipment. They specialize in extraction and physical metallurgy, working in factories, steel mills, refineries, and research and development labs. They design machinery, equipment, and processes to extract metals from raw ores and study the chemical and physical properties of metallic elements. A bachelor’s degree in chemical or mechanical engineering is required, and new employees typically work as research assistants to senior engineers for several years.
Metallurgical engineers research various types of ores and metal alloys to design stronger, lighter and more versatile products and equipment. Some engineers specialize in extraction metallurgy, which involves developing more efficient procedures for removing usable metals from ore. Others practice physical metallurgy, which involves inventing new products and improving existing manufacturing techniques. Metallurgical engineer jobs are found in a variety of settings, including factories, steel mills, refineries, and research and development labs.
Many metallurgical engineering jobs involve designing machinery, equipment, and processes to extract metals from raw ores. Engineers working in refineries and factories experiment with different procedures on a small scale to separate pure metal elements from waste. They design crushing, grinding and screening machines and develop more efficient chemical extraction methods. Many professionals specialize in improving leaching procedures, which involve dissolving raw ore residues to obtain usable metal. Some extraction engineers work on site in mining operations to help determine the best methods for exploring and harvesting ore deposits.
Metallurgical physical engineers study the chemical and physical properties of metallic elements. They experiment with different types of metals and alloys to determine which are best suited for specific uses. For example, a metallurgical engineer working in a research and development facility might be asked to design a strong, light clubhead. He conducted a series of experiments with different metals, such as titanium and cobalt, to determine the most reliable material for the product. Metallurgical engineers with a background in mechanical engineering can also be involved in the actual building and prototype testing phases of their projects.
Professionals who occupy metallurgical engineering positions in the aerospace, shipbuilding and automobile industries develop safer and more efficient metal parts for different types of vehicles. Engineers can design gas tanks, engine compartments and exhaust systems that are less susceptible to rust and temperature. They determine how to strengthen the body and plane without sacrificing functionality and aerodynamics. Some very skilled metallurgical engineers work in government and military space agencies to create products that can withstand extreme heat and pressure.
A bachelor’s degree in chemical or mechanical engineering is required to obtain most metallurgical engineering jobs. Some colleges offer specialized master’s degrees in materials science and engineering to further prepare students for employment in the field. New employees typically work as research assistants to senior engineers for several years to gain hands-on experience and familiarize themselves with the various technical and administrative tasks involved in metallurgical engineer jobs.
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