Entry Level Qualification 

12

Career Fields 

Engineering & Technology

For Specially Abled 

Career Entrance Exam 

OJEE, JEE MAIN BE/BTECH, JEE ADVANCED, BITSAT UG, BITSAT PG, BITSAT PHD, VITEEE BE/BTECH, VITEEE ME/MTECH, SRMJEEE ME/MTECH, TANCET MTECH/MARCH, MHTCET, WBJEE

About Career 

As an Engineering Physicist, you will apply various theories and insights of physics for a better understanding of some engineering principles as well as for finding better and newer solutions to various engineering issues and problems.

You will study and research in various areas of physical sciences such as applied mechanics, plasma physics, solid state physics, quantum physics, materials physics, nuclear physics, optics, photonics, electromagnetism, fluid mechanics, geophysics, acoustics, biomechanics, cryogenics, and space physics. You will use your knowledge to help understand engineering principles better and find solutions to engineering problems.

Knowledge of engineering physics is applied into many areas of engineering – from electrical, electronics, mechanical and mechatronics engineering to automotive engineering, aerospace engineering, materials engineering, and thermal engineering.  

Key roles and responsibilities

As an engineering Physicist, depending on your field of specialisation, you would have the following roles and responsibilities:

1. You would be required to perform complex calculations to analyse and evaluate data using different software and computers.

2. You would be in charge of research and development in high tech industries and universities.    

3. You would take care of the functioning of laboratories, its daily needs, fulfilling requirements, arranging funds, etc.   

4. You would be responsible for developing new products and their maintenance along with commercial sales.    

5. You would provide new solutions to existing problems in the field of engineering through physics and mathematical models.   

6. You would make presentations to explain your potential product and its usage to technical and management team.   

7. You would work to file for patents for your new designs, products, etc.   

8. You will build prototypes of your products and test them before initiating production.   

9. You will keep yourself updated with all technological advancements in your field.

10. You will design new tests, document test results, advice changes for the consumer market and assist in the final launch.

Career Entry Pathway 

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – UG in any branch of engineering – PG in Engineering Physics

After your Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies in your higher secondary school and then study for an undergraduate Engineering degree in any field. After an undergraduate degree, you can complete a Master’s degree in Engineering in Engineering Physics.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – UG in Engineering Physics – PG in Engineering Physics

After your Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies in your higher secondary school and then study for an undergraduate degree in Engineering Physics followed by a master’s degree in Engineering Physics.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – UG in Engineering Physics – PG in Engineering Physics – Ph.D. in Engineering Physics

After your Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies in your higher secondary school and then study for an undergraduate degree in Engineering Physics followed by a master’s degree in Engineering Physics. Further, you can take Engineering Physics in Ph.D. and complete the doctoral degree.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – UG in Engineering Physics – Integrated Ph.D. in Engineering Physics.

After your Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies in your higher secondary school and then study for an undergraduate degree in Engineering Physics. Following the B.E./B.Tech. Degree, you can study for the Integrated Ph.D. in Engineering Physics.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – UG in Electrical / Mechanical / Electronics / Civil / Materials/ other fields – PG in Electrical / Mechanical / Electronics / Civil / Materials/ other fields – Ph.D. in Engineering Physics

After your Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies in your higher secondary school and then study for an undergraduate engineering degree in Electrical / Mechanical / Electronics / Civil / Materials/ other fields. After an undergraduate degree, you can complete a Master’s degree in engineering in Electrical / Mechanical / Electronics / Civil / Materials/ other fields. Following the M.E./ M.Tech. degree, you can study for a Ph.D. in Engineering Physics.

Required Qualification & Competencies 

Education Requirement – an overview

Undergraduate studies after school:

1. To become an Engineering Physicist, you should complete your class 11-12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and join for an undergraduate course of B.E. or B.Tech. in Engineering Physics.

2. Alternatively, you can also study Electrical / Mechanical / Electronics / Civil / Materials/ other fields of engineering in B.E./B.Tech.
Post Graduate studies:

3. After finishing B.E. or B.Tech, you can take an M.E. or M.Tech. Course in India or Foreign University. You should specialise in Engineering Physics or in a similar field.

You can go for further studies by choosing to complete a Ph.D. in Engineering Physics after M.E. or M.Tech

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

You should have the following occupational interests:

1. Investigative - You should have interests for Investigative Occupations. Investigative occupations involve working with ideas and quite a lot of thinking, often abstract or conceptual thinking. These involve learning about facts and figures; involve the use of data analysis, assessment of situations, decision making and problem-solving.

2. Realistic - You should have interests for Realistic Occupations. Realistic occupations involve more practical and hands-on activities than paperwork or office work. Realistic occupations often involve physical activities for getting things done using various tools and equipment.

Following personality attributes are required:

1. You are always or mostly organised in your day-to-day life and activities.

2. You are always or mostly disciplined in your action and behaviour.

3. You are always practical or in most situations.

4. You are always or mostly care about your actions and behaviour.

You should have the following skills and knowledge:

1. Reading Comprehension - Skills in understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

2. Critical Thinking - Skills in the analysis of complex situations, using logic and reasoning to understand the situations and take appropriate actions or make interpretations and inferences.

3. Problem Solving - Skills in analysis and understanding of problems, evaluating various options to solve the problems and using the best option to solve the problems.

4. Scientific - Skills in using various scientific rules and methods to get things done or solve problems.

5. Engineering & Technology - Knowledge of various applications of one or more branches of Engineering Science & Technology to manufacture and produce various goods or construct or erect various structures. This includes knowledge of design, development, prototype testing, manufacturing, construction, installation, repair, and maintenance.

6. Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, trigonometry, statistics, and other mathematical disciplines and their applications.

7. Physical Science - Knowledge of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understand fluid, material, earth, ocean, atmosphere, and space dynamics, as well as mechanical, electrical, atomic and subatomic structures, properties and processes.

You should have the following aptitudes and abilities:

1. Mechanical Reasoning - The ability to apply basic physical principles and theories to understand how mechanical objects such as tools and machinery works and the ability to understand the rules or laws governing the work of machinery, tools, and bodies in motion.

2. Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

3. Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information from various sources, concepts, and theories to form general rules or conclusions. For example, analyzing various events or situations to come out with a set of rules or conclusions.

4. Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

5. Numerical Reasoning - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and perform other basic numerical calculations correctly.

Career - Job Opportunities & Profiles 

At the entry level, after your post-graduation in Engineering Physics, you can get a role as an Engineering Physicist or Physicist-Engineer or as a Scientist in different organisations such as:

1. Government defence organisations like DRDO in India.    

2. Space organisations like ISRO, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.   

3. Nuclear power stations and research institutions like BARC in India.   

4. Institutes of scientific research like IISc, IIA, RRI, TIFR, etc.   

5. Physics and Engineering Physics department of all IITs and Engineering colleges.   

6. Leading equipment, vehicles, etc. manufacturing industries like Tata, Hyundai, Larson & Turbo, etc.  

7. Research and Development institutions and laboratories   

Industrial equipment, musical equipment, and other manufacturing units.
In academics and research, after your doctorate degree in Engineering Physics, you can join as an Assistant Professor. Some colleges may take you as an Instructor after your post-graduation also. But to have a good career in academics and research, you must have a Ph.D.

Work Environment

As an Engineering Physicist, you will be required to spend most of your working time in laboratories. Here either you would be working on building new products from new or existing technologies, or you will be working on developing better versions of existing products. The work requires a log of dedication, time, and focus. Most of the work and research will need patience as experiments and work tend to take time to deliver results. If you work as an astronaut, then you might be required to travel into space. This will mean for quite some time you won’t be living on earth. This is one of the most challenging work, and you would require to pass several tests before going into space.

SPECIALISATION TRACKS IN THIS CAREER

1. Physicist (Applied Mechanics)

Physicists (Applied Mechanics) use the knowledge of Mechanics and apply it into the technology. They are experts of creating new instruments, processes, machinery, etc. based on laws and science of mechanics like pressure, movement, heat, energy, thermodynamics, etc.

2. Physicist (Acoustics)

Physicists (Acoustics) specialise in the design, analysis, and control of sound and sound waves. They work on technologies, designs and spaces to reduce unwanted noise (called noise control), developing medicinal technologies like ultrasound, designing concert halls, creating airports and railway station announcement systems, etc.

3. Physicist (Cryogenics)

Physicists (Cryogenics) specialise in the study of the behaviour of materials at very low temperatures. Generally, they study gases at temperatures below -150 or even below -180 degree Celcius. Cryogenicists uses these materials for superconductor research, creating cryogenic fuel for rockets, creating a cryogenic transportation system for frozen food.

4. Physicist (Electro Magnetism)

Physicists (Electromagnetism) specialise in the study of electromagnetic force and its application. Electromagnetism is a force between electrically charged particles. They study magnetic fields, electric fields, charge, electricity, light, etc. and apply them in different applications.

5. Physicist (Fluid Mechanics)

Physicists (Fluid Mechanics) specialise in the mechanics (movement) of fluids, i.e. liquids, gases, and plasmas. They also study the types of forces and interaction in these fluids. They use this knowledge for application in mechanical, civil, chemical and biomedical engineering, geophysics, astrophysics, and biology, etc. Once the common application is a movement of aircraft in the air (a fluid).

6. Physicist (Materials Physics)

Material Physicists specialise in the study of physical properties of materials. The scope of research, study and experimentation include chemistry, solid mechanics, solid state physics, and materials science. They use the physical properties of the material to describe them like optics, structure, density, conductivity, state, etc.

7. Physicist (Nuclear Physics)

Nuclear Physicists specialise in the study of atomic nuclei and their constituents like protons, neutrons and their interaction (called nuclear force). They work on the production of nuclear power using nuclear energy, nuclear weapons nuclear medicines, etc.

8. Physicist (Optics)

Physicist (Optics) specialises in the study of light, its behaviour and its properties. They also study how light (visible, ultraviolet and infrared) interacts with matter. They also develop instruments that can detect light and interaction. They do theoretical and practical experiments in light to develop lasers, lenses, cameras, medicinal equipment, etc.

9. Physicist (Photonics)

Physicist (Photonics) studies the generation of light, its detection, emission, transmission, modulation, signal processing, switching, amplification, and sensing. Physicists (Photonics) use their knowledge in different applications like telecommunication, photonic computing, lighting, metrology, spectroscopy, holography, medicine, military technology, laser material processing, etc.

10. Physicist (Solid State Physics)

Solid State Physicists study the solid matter (like diamond, metals, elements in solid state) through different techniques like quantum mechanics, metallurgy, crystallography, electromagnetism, etc. As solids have atoms bonded closely, many properties of solids like hardness, elasticity, thermal, electrical, optical and magnetism, etc. are the result of this solid state. Thus, you will study how solid derive their properties. You will use these learnings and apply to technologies of transistors, semiconductors, etc.

CAREER GROWTH

1. If you join a private industry as a physicist-engineer / engineering physicist/design engineer/ product designer then you will move to Product Design Co-op Engineer, Senior Product Designer / Senior Physical Design Engineer, Design Head Engineer and finally Vice President of Product Engineering.

2. The career growth in university and college states from Assistant Professor and then Associate Professor, Professor and Professor Emeritus. Professors can also get administrative positions such as Director/Dean/Vice Chancellor, etc

3. If you are hired as a research associate, then you will go on to become a Doctoral Research Fellow, then Post-Doctoral Research Fellow and then Scientist in Progressive Grades. 

4. Research laboratories will hire you as a scientist/scientist officer with the lowest grade and the grade changes from low to high. In India, grades are “Scientist “C” as the joining level and then D, E, F, G, H and finally DS. A senior-level scientist can also get into administrative positions like Principal Scientist, Assistant Director, Deputy Director, Director, etc

5. If you join a private organization as a research scientist, then you will move to senior research scientist and principal scientist with work experience.

Salary Offered  

1. At the entry level, you can join as a research associate with a basic salary of Rs. 25,000 to 30,000 per month. As a doctoral research fellow (junior research fellow) you would be earning around Rs. 35,000 to 38,000 per month. At the entry level, as a Scientist (grade C) you would be earning around Rs. 80,000 to 100,000 per month. As an assistant professor, you would be earning anything between Rs. 65,000 to 70,000 INR per month. If you are working in the private sector, then you will join as a design engineer and will earn anything between Rs. 25,000 to 1,00,000 per month. All these salaries are inclusive of some allowances

2. At the junior level with a work experience of 4-6 years, you would be earning anything between Rs. 50,000 to 2,00,000 per month.

3. At the middle level with an experience of 10-12 years, you would be earning anything between Rs. 70,000 to 1,90,000 per month as a scientist and Rs. 1,20,000 to 1,60,000 INR as an associate professor. If you are into private industries, then you would be earning anything between Rs. 80,000 to 3,00,000 per month.

4. At the senior level of over 15 years of work experience, you would be earning anything between Rs. 1,60,000 to 2,10,000 per month as a Professor and Rs. 2,10,000 to 2,50,000 per month as a Scientist. If you are into private industries when you would be earning anything between Rs. 1,00,000 to 5,00,000 per month.

MONTHLY EARNINGS IN INDIAN RUPEE 

1. Entry level: 0 - 2 years of work experience

2. Junior Level: From 1 to 12 years of work experience

3. Mid-Level: From 5 to 20+ years of work experience

4. Senior Level: From 10 to 25+ years of work experience (there could be exceptions in some high-end technical, financial, engineering, creative, management, sports, and other careers; also in the near future, people will reach these levels much faster in many careers and in some careers, these levels will have no meaning as those careers will be completely tech skill driven such as even now, there is almost no level in a Cyber Security Expert’s job).

Famous Personalities 

Information not available.

Work Activities 

As an Engineering Physicist, you might be involved in various applied areas of Engineering & Physics. In these areas, you might be involved in different activities such as:

1. Working with computers, programming and performing technical tasks - Using computers and computer systems, both hardware and software for programming, developing software and/or hardware, developing computer applications, systems, and networks; developing mobile applications.

2. Creative thinking - Developing new ideas, concepts, innovative solutions to problems, newer ways of getting things done, designing products and services, creating work of art and craft, etc.

3. Getting information & learning - Observing, hearing, reading, using computers, or otherwise obtaining information and learning from it.

4. Information processing - Searching, compiling, tabulating, calculating, auditing, verifying or otherwise dealing with information processing including data entry, transcription, recording, storing and maintaining databases.