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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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21322.00 – Metallurgical and materials engineers

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.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Ceramics engineer
  • Corrosion engineer
  • Electrometallurgical engineer
  • Foundry engineer
  • Hydrometallurgical engineer
  • Materials engineer
  • Metallurgical engineer
  • Physical metallurgical engineer
  • Pyrometallurgical engineer
  • Welding engineer

Core competencies

  • Critical Thinking, Decision Making and Problem Solving to coordinate production, testing and control of metal refining, smelting and foundry operations and nonmetallic materials production
  • Product Design to conduct studies on the design, development and specifications of processes and machinery used to concentrate, extract, refine and process metals from ores
  • Categorization Flexibility and Information Ordering to categorize and reclassify materials based on various criteria to adapt methods, improve processes and facilitate innovation
  • Deductive Reasoning to analyze data, identify patterns and draw logical conclusions about material properties and processes
  • Attention to Detail to identify small variations in material composition or processing parameters to ensure the accuracy and quality of work
  • Knowledge in Geological Resources to understand geological terms and processes for moulding, shaping and forming metals, alloys and nonmetallic materials to design, develop, or innovate processing systems

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • 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.

Additional information

  • Metallurgical engineers research and develop new alloys and systems for extracting metal from ores; materials engineers research and develop new non-metallic materials with physical characteristics to meet specific requirements.
  • There is considerable mobility between engineering specializations at the less senior levels.
  • Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.
  • Metallurgical and materials engineers work closely with other engineers and scientists and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization.
  • Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Chemical engineers (21320)
  • Chemists (21101)
  • Engineering managers (20010)
  • Mining engineers (21330)
  • Other professional occupations in physical sciences (21109)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

TEER

1 – Occupations usually require a university degree

Major group

21 – Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences

Sub-major group

213 – Professional occupations in engineering

Minor group

2132 – Manufacturing and processing engineers

Unit group

21322 – Metallurgical and materials engineers

Occupational profile

21322.00 – Metallurgical and materials engineers

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.