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Ceramic Engineers

THE JOB

What do astronauts, dentists, clumsy dishwashers, and astronomers have in 
common?  Each depends on CERAMIC ENGINEERS to develop such varied products 
as protective tiles for space shuttles, ceramic fillings for teeth, 
unbreakable dinner plates, and sophisticated telescope lenses.

Ceramics have applications in virtually any industry which demands the use 
of heat-resistant materials.  Ceramic Engineers are specialists in the study 
of these materials, their behavior, application, and use.  They develop 
methods for processing nonmetallic inorganic materials into many ceramic 
products ranging from glassware, fiber optics products, cement, and bricks, 
to coatings for space vehicles, materials for microelectronics, components 
of nuclear fuel, and pollution control devices.  Recent advances in physics 
and chemistry have expanded the applications of ceramic engineering from 
traditionally established industries to projects that encompass every area 
of technology.

Ceramic Engineers often specialize in one or more products: whitewares 
(porcelain and china dinnerware or high voltage electrical insulators), 
structural materials (brick, tile, and turbine blades), electronic ceramics 
(magnetics, memory systems, and microwave devices), protective and 
refractory coatings for metals, glass products, abrasives, and fuel elements 
for nuclear energy.

One of the top priority projects of Ceramic Engineers is the development of
a ceramic engine which would replace the present diesel, gasoline and turbo
engines.

The major functions of Ceramic Engineers are Research, product development, 
and production engineering.  The engineer is frequently challenged to 
produce new ideas and to suggest solutions to difficult problems.  Engineers 
may have extensive responsibilities such as preparing labor cost analyses or 
troubleshooting problems.

Ceramic Engineers experienced in both scientific and production aspects of 
the profession may also work as administrators, project supervisors, sales 
engineers or technical consultants to firms using ceramic materials.


WORKING CONDITIONS

The Ceramic Engineer's work world varies from job to job according to the 
specialty and place of employment.  As a Research director, for example, the 
ceramic engineer may spend much of the day in the office evaluating and 
planning new projects or consulting with other engineers and company 
executives.  By contrast, new engineers working in firms that manufacture 
ceramic products may work primarily in the laboratory where much of the time 
is spent running physical or chemical tests on raw materials or finished 
products and analyzing the results.

Tension may be a part of the job when difficulty is encountered in meeting 
production schedules or project deadlines.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment 
published by the Labor Market Information Division.  These figures represent 
the broad occupational group Metallurgists, Related Engineers which includes 
Ceramic Engineers.

Estimated number of workers in 1990           1,850
Estimated number of workers in 2005           1,940
Projected Growth 1990-2005                       5%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005   660

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)

There is a shortage of Ceramic Engineers.  Many Ceramic Engineers work in 
the nuclear field, as ceramic fuel materials make nuclear power generation 
possible.  The electronics industry is a growth area for this technology, as 
ceramics are used as insulators for transistors and integrated circuits.  
Refractory ceramics are required in the refining of iron and aluminum, and 
this industry is especially in need of this type of worker.  The exciting 
new field of fiber optics has had a dramatic effect on today's 
telecommunication and medical industries, and since ceramic components are 
used, Ceramic Engineers are playing a vital role in this new science.

One of the top Research projects of Ceramic Engineers is the development of 
a ceramic engine which would replace the present diesel, gasoline, and turbo 
engines.  This new engine would withstand extremely high temperatures, would 
be much lighter, would be more efficient, and would not wear out like metal 
engines.

To maintain a competitive edge in the market, ceramic companies will often 
hire Ceramic Engineers to serve in vital business and management areas. 


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Firms hiring newly-graduated Ceramic Engineers with a bachelor's degree and 
no work experience usually offer starting salaries ranging from $19,000 to 
$29,000 annually.  The range of pay for those holding master's degrees 
without work experience is between $28,000 and $36,000 a year.  Engineers 
holding Ph.D.s who accept employment in private firms may expect starting 
wages of $40,000 to $55,000 a year.  Top salaries vary widely according to 
the size of the firms, the type of work done, and the extent of the 
engineer's experience.

Life, health, and accident insurance and retirement benefits are usually 
offered to Ceramic Engineers on a contributing or employer-paid basis.  Some 
employers also offer stock options, profit-sharing plans or pay annual 
bonuses.

The scheduled workweek for most engineers is 40 hours.  However, if 
important project deadlines must be met or breakdowns in plants occur, 
engineers may be expected to work overtime as necessary.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

A Bachelor of Science degree in ceramic engineering or materials science is 
virtually always required for entry-level jobs.  Some firms, however, accept 
workers whose degrees are in materials engineering, physical chemistry, 
physics, or metallurgy if the undergraduate program has included ceramics. 
Advanced training and degrees are required for an increasing number of jobs 
in the ceramic engineering field, particularly for those engineers who 
specialize in Research and development.

Ceramic Engineers frequently work with people from many levels.  They must be 
able to communicate their ideas to managers, technicians, craftworkers, 
production workers, and customers alike.  They should be able to work as part 
of a team, be innovative, and have an analytical mind.  They should also 
demonstrate initiative and a capacity for remembering details, plus have the 
ability to cut across various disciplines and systematically evaluate and 
solve problems.  Success in this profession requires a solid background in 
mathematics, physical, and social sciences, as well as ceramic engineering 
analysis and design.


ADVANCEMENT

Ceramic engineering graduates usually begin as junior or assistant engineers 
and, as they gain experience, may advance to positions of greater 
responsibility.  Depending on the structure and product line of the firm, an 
engineer may advance to supervising engineer, chief engineer or plant 
manager.  The Ceramic Engineer engaged in Research may be given increasingly 
responsible assignments with corresponding salary increases and may progress 
to such positions as supervisor, project engineer or director of Research. 
Most engineers who seek top industrial executive positions in administration 
or management will find it advantageous to obtain graduate or doctoral 
degrees in ceramic engineering, materials science or business administration.


FINDING THE JOB

Ceramic Engineers can apply directly to firms which employ engineers in a 
particular specialty or reply to advertisements in newspapers and 
professional journals.  Prospective workers should also check with their 
college placement centers, since recruiting employers often ask faculty 
members for recommendations.  Personal contacts through professional 
organizations or societies are also common ways to find work.  Federal and 
other governmental agencies employ Ceramic Engineers, and job seekers should 
take the appropriate civil service examinations.  In addition, both 
engineers and employers use the offices of private employment agencies and 
the Job Service of the California Employment Development Department.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

The American Ceramic Society
735 Ceramic Place
Westerville, OH 43081
http://www.acers.org

University of California - Berkeley
Materials Science & Mineral Engineering
577 Evans Hall, #1760
Berkeley, CA 94720
(510) 642-3801
http://www.berkeley.edu/


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Mechanical Engineers                  No.   5
Chemical Engineers                    No.   8
Electrical/Electronics Engineers      No.  12
Civil Engineers                       No.  39
Nuclear Engineers                     No. 367

OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev 1)
Ceramic Engineer                   006.061-014

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Metallurgists and Metallurgical, Ceramic, and Materials Engineers   221050


Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department, 
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group, 
         (916) 262-2162.