Engineering

Job Summary 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 engineers. Education and Experience Bachelors Degree Doctoral Degree Knowledge 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. 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. 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. Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials production processes quality control costs and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic algebra geometry calculus statistics and their applications. English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words rules of composition and grammar. Design - Knowledge of design techniques tools and principles involved in production of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models. Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards processors chips electronic equipment and computer hardware and software including applications and programming. Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools including their designs uses repair and maintenance. 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. Skills Basic Skills Active Learning- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. 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. Critical Thinking- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions conclusions or approaches to problems. Learning Strategies- Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. Mathematics- Using mathematics to solve problems. Monitoring- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself other individuals or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. Reading Comprehension- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. Science- Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. Speaking- Talking to others to convey information effectively. Writing- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. Social Skills Coordination- Adjusting actions in relation to others actions. Instructing- Teaching others how to do something. Negotiation- Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences. Persuasion- Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. Service Orientation- Actively looking for ways to help people. Social Perceptiveness- Being aware of others reactions and understanding why they react as they do. Complex Problem Solving Skills Complex Problem Solving- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. Technical Skills Equipment Maintenance- Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. Equipment Selection- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job. Installation- Installing equipment machines wiring or programs to meet specifications. Operation and Control- Controlling operations of equipment or systems. Operations Analysis- Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design. Operations Monitoring- Watching gauges dials or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. Programming- Writing computer programs for various purposes. Quality Control Analysis- Conducting tests and inspections of products services or processes to evaluate quality or performance. Repairing- Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools. Technology Design- Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs. Troubleshooting- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. Systems Skills Judgment and Decision Making- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. Systems Analysis- Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions operations and the environment will affect outcomes. 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. Resource Management Skills Management of Financial Resources- Determining how money will be spent to get the work done and accounting for these expenditures. Management of Material Resources- Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment facilities and materials needed to do certain work. Management of Personnel Resources- Motivating developing and directing people as they work identifying the best people for the job. Time Management- Managing ones own time and the time of others. Work Context Communication - Types and frequency of interactions with other people that are required as part of this job. Role Relationships - Importance of different types of interactions with others both inside and outside the organization Responsibility for Others - Amount of responsibility the worker has for other workers as a part of this job Conflictual Contact - Amount of conflict that the worker will encounter as part of this job Work Setting - Description of physical surroundings that the worker will face as part of this job Environmental Conditions - Description of extreme environmental conditions the worker will be placed in as part of this job Job Hazards - Descriptions of types of hazardous conditions the worker could be exposed to as part of this job. This includes the frequency of exposure and the likelihood and degree of injury if exposed. Body Positioning - Amount of time the worker will spend in a variety of physical positions on this job Work Attire - Dress requirements of this job Impact of Decisions - The frequency and nature of the impact of workers decisions on the organization Routine versus Challenging Work - The relative amounts of routine versus challenging work the worker will perform as part of this job Competition - Amount of competition that the worker will face as part of this job Pace and Scheduling - Description of the role that time plays in the way the worker performs the tasks required by this job Primary Job Duties Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions. Monitor material performance and evaluate its deterioration. Supervise the work of technologists technicians and other engineers and scientists. Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures. Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives. Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality. Perform managerial functions such as preparing proposals and budgets analyzing labor costs and writing reports. Solve problems in a number of engineering fields such as mechanical chemical electrical civil nuclear and aerospace. Plan and evaluate new projects consulting with other engineers and corporate executives as necessary. Review new product plans and make recommendations for material selection based on design objectives such as strength weight heat resistance electrical conductivity and cost. Design processing plants and equipment. Modify properties of metal alloys using thermal and mechanical treatments. Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices. Plan and implement laboratory operations to develop material and fabrication procedures that meet cost product specification and performance standards. Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials. Conduct training sessions on new material products applications or manufacturing methods for customers and their employees. Supervise production and testing processes in industrial settings such as metal refining facilities smelting or foundry operations or nonmetallic materials production operations. Write for technical magazines journals and trade association publications. Replicate the characteristics of materials and their components using computers. Present technical information at conferences.