Materials Engineer investigates the properties of metals, ceramics, polymers, and other materials and assesses and develops their engineering and commercial applications.

Skill Level

1

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Materials Engineer is Engineers Australia. To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Six pathways for skills assessment by Engineers Australia:
  • Pathway A – If you hold an accredited qualification:
    • Australian qualification pathway if you have studied in Australia and hold a qualification which is accredited by Engineers Australia
    • Washington accord qualification pathway if your qualification is from a country which is a full signatory to the Washington Accord
    • Sydney accord qualification pathway if your qualification is from a county which is a full signatory to the Sydney Accord
    • Dublin accord qualification pathway if your qualification is from a country which is a full signatory to the Dublin Accord
    • You otherwise hold other recognised qualifications
  • Pathway B – Competency Demonstration Report Pathway
    • If you do not hold an accredited qualification or do not want to be assessed according to your degree title or course content
  • Competent English level = IELTS 6
  • For any of the qualification pathways you are required to provide:
    • CV/Resume containing a full summary of your engineering education and work experience
    • Academic degree certificate (a letter of completion will only be accepted as a substitute before graduation and only for Australian qualifications)
    • Complete and official academic transcript (including any recognition of prior learning and course syllabus where applicable)
    • Official English translations of above documents where applicable
  • For the competency demonstration report pathway, you are required to provide and prepare:
    • CV/Resume containing a full summary of your engineering education and work experience
    • A reference letter or certificate from your employer on official company letterhead
    • A report containing evidence of continuing professional development, three ‘career episodes’ (each describing a specific aspect of your engineering activity) and a summary statement

Design and prepare specifications for chemical process systems and the construction and operation of commercial-scale chemical plants, supervise industrial processing and fabrication of products undergoing physical and chemical change, and investigate the properties of metals, ceramics, polymers and other materials and assess and develop their engineering and commercial applications.

Tasks

• Preparing designs for chemical process systems and planning control systems for processes such as those used to remove and separate components, effect chemical changes, test and evaluate fuels, transfer heat, and control the storing and handling of solids, liquids and gases
• Monitoring the operation and maintenance of equipment to achieve maximum efficiency under safe operating conditions
• Ensuring correct materials and equipment are used and that they conform to specifications
• Diagnosing malfunctions in chemical plants and instituting remedial action
• Studying product utilisation and pollution control problems
• Reviewing plans for new products and submitting material selection recommendations in accordance with design specifications and factors such as strength, weight and cost
• Planning and implementing laboratory operations to develop new materials and fabrication procedures for new materials to fulfil production cost and performance standards
• Conferring with producers of materials, such as metals, ceramics, polymers, cements and elastomers, during the investigation and evaluation of materials suitable for specific product applications
• Reviewing product failure data and implementing laboratory tests to establish or reject possible causes, and advising on ways to overcome any problems

Skill Level

In Australia and New Zealand:

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. This occupation may require registration or licensing.

Occupations in this Group

• 233111 Chemical Engineer
• 233112 Materials Engineer