Entry Level Qualification 

12

Career Fields 

Engineering & Technology

For Specially Abled 

Career Entrance Exam 

JEE MAIN BE/BTECH, JEE ADVANCED, GATE, VITEEE BE/BTECH, VITEEE ME/MTECH, SRMJEEE ME/MTECH, TANCET MTECH/MARCH

About Career 

It is almost impossible for a modern society to function without the supply and use of different types of metals and alloys. Metallurgical Engineers are employed in industries which are involved in manufacturing, buying, selling and refining metals. They are focused on the manufacture of metals and metallic parts and in other tasks associated with metals, which include refining, extracting and recycling metals. As a Metallurgical Engineer, you have to learn about the extraction of metals from minerals, understand the properties and composition of the metals, and help in making the metal products more durable, stronger, light-weight and energy-efficient.  Metallurgical Engineers are the backbone of certain industries like transportation, defense and healthcare.

Here are a few key tasks of a Metallurgical Engineer:

1. Create right combinations of extracted metals that can be useful, as most metals in their purest form cannot be used.

2. Dealing with most of the aspects of the production and application of metals and of their alloys.

3. Developing plans and overseeing the extraction processes.

4. Modifying or developing new and improved ways of finding metals in rocks or ores.

5. Use advanced tools like X-Ray Devices, spectrographs and electron microscopes for research and development purposes. Technical knowledge is necessary for this area.

Key roles and responsibilities:

Every metallurgical engineer has to learn the basic tasks and tricks of the trade including:

1. Monitoring the quality standards during manufacturing and finishing.

2. Understanding and interpreting design drawings and making recommendations accordingly.

3. Interpreting the design requirements of a consumer and how the product should be used.

4. Inspecting and analyzing the structural composition and properties of a material.

5. Taking the responsibility of safety and health issues of components and staff working in the manufacturing unit.

6. Writing and maintaining documents, metallurgical investigations, and reports.

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 (B.E. or B.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering)

Once you’ve completed your secondary level studies, you can pursue Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies. You have to then sit for the IITJEE mains examination which is a common engineering examination all over India. On the basis of the JEE mains score, you can get admission for B.E. or B.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering wherein you’ll be introduced to various in-depth knowledge which includes extracting, design and processing of metals. You can sit for other engineering entrance examinations as well.

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 (B.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) - GATE - PG (M.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering)

Once you’ve completed your secondary level studies, you can pursue Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies. You have to then sit for the IITJEE mains examination and choose your college for B.E. or B.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. You can sit for other engineering entrance examinations as well. Then, you have to sit for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). On the basis of your marks in GATE examination, you can be eligible for admission in the top engineering colleges and then you can move on to postgraduate degrees like M.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering where you will be introduced to general research to ascertain the structure of materials and to analyze other opportunities to optimize and strengthen known materials like aluminum, steel, magnesium, etc.

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 (B.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) - PG (Master of Science in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering)

Once you’ve completed your secondary level studies, you can pursue Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies. You can then pursue B.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. Then, you can move on to postgraduate degrees like Master’s of Science in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering wherein you can try for research on materials rather than more practical-heavy tasks.

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 (B.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) - PG (Master of Science/Technology in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering)-Ph.D In Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Once you’ve completed your secondary level studies, you can pursue Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies. You can then pursue B.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. Then, you can move on to postgraduate degrees like M.Tech/M.S. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering and choose your specialization. After that, you can go for a doctoral degree so that you can be introduced to your own application of research and ways to write your own dissertation.

Required Qualification & Competencies 

Undergraduate studies after school:

It is necessary to have a bachelor’s degree to become a successful Metallurgical engineer. A B.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering will make you eligible as a junior material engineer. You can gain experience and move up in the field of material engineering once you obtain this degree.

Post Graduate studies:

For actual application of specialized knowledge of metallurgy, you need to have a Master’s degree in Science in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering or an M.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. This will also introduce you to specialization fields like the material design as well as the application of research to understand the structural composition of a material. It also introduces you to various methods which can be used to improve the strength of the metal. With the M.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, you will be eligible for the top jobs in the market. Master’s degree of Science in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering is a more research-heavy course and will make you eligible for doctoral studies.

Doctoral Studies:

A Doctorate Degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering is the highest degree in the field of study. It is necessary to have a master’s degree before you can go for a Doctorate Degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. You will be assigned a research guide or advisor who will help you to gain intellectual independence during this research-heavy coursework. A Doctoral degree will open up new avenues as it will make you eligible for the position of a Professor in a college.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

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 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. 

Knowledge

1. Engineering and 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 include knowledge about design, development, prototype testing, manufacturing, construction, installation, repair and maintenance.

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

3. Technical and Engineering Design: Knowledge of various techniques, methods, specifications and tools for creating, developing and laying out designs of various machines, equipment, devices, manufacturing plants, structures, systems and processes. This includes developing blueprints, drawing and models.

Skills

1. Active Learning: Focused and continuous learning from various sources of information, observation and otherwise for application in getting work done.

2. Coordination: Skills in working together with other people to get things done.

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

4. Operations and Process Analysis: Skills in analysis of operations and processes such as industrial manufacturing, chemical processing, etc. so as to device better and more efficient operational processes and systems.

5. Supervising: Skills in Supervising and monitoring performance of others, businesses, and different projects.

6. Technical: Skills in using various technologies and technical methods to get things done or solve problems.

7. Troubleshooting: Skills in determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Abilities

1. Abstract Reasoning: The ability to understand ideas which are not expressed in words or numbers; the ability to understand concepts which are not clearly expressed verbally or otherwise.

2. Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules and common logic to specific problems to produce answers that are logical and make sense. For example, understanding the reasons behind an event or a situation using general rules and common logic.

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

4. 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.

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

6. Spatial Ability: The ability to visualise three dimensional objects by looking at the objects in paper or visualise objects mentally in three dimensions.

7. Speed of Closure: The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.

8. Verbal Reasoning: The ability to think and reason with words; the ability to reason out ideas expressed in words.

9. Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Personality

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

2. You always feel secure in your surroundings and in most situations.

3. You are imaginative sometimes.

4. You prefer to experience new things and have new experiences sometimes.

5. You act independently sometimes but do not do so in some other times.

6. You are friendly and outgoing sometimes, but not always. You prefer company of people sometimes but not always.

7. You are always practical or in most situations.

Career - Job Opportunities & Profiles 

Metallurgical engineering is an important branch in the field of engineering. As a result, there are a lot of job prospects in this field, which includes both in private and public sectors. A metallurgical engineer has opportunities present both in India and abroad.

Some of the hottest and trending jobs in the Metallurgical engineering field today are:

1. Quality Planning Engineer

2. Aluminum Casting Engineer

3. Ballistics Engineer

4. Metallurgist

Work Environment

As an extractive metallurgist, you may work in mills, ore treatment plants, and refineries. You may also have to work in remote mining sites. Process metallurgists may work in manufacturing plants or labs to conduct research on materials. As a material engineer, you will have to work in different environments which including welding shops, mills, production areas etc. As researchers, you may have to spend time in labs and libraries. Working hours are generally 40-hours per week. However, metallurgical engineers working in refineries may have night shifts. Special projects may require you to work on weekends or special holidays too.

SPECIALISATION TRACKS IN THIS CAREER

1. Metallurgical Engineer (Physical)

Physical metallurgical engineers are focused on the physical structures and properties of metals and alloys. In physical metallurgy, you will have to handle alloy design and also engage in heat treatment, casting processes, application of alloys, etc.

2. Minerals Processing Engineer

Minerals processing is the treatment of crude ore so that valuable minerals could be separated from the waste rock. As a metallurgical engineer involved in minerals processing, your primary operations would be concentration and comminution, but it would also include other operations like sampling of the raw material and conducting chemical analysis on the same.

3. Engineering (Extractive Metallurgy)

Extractive Metallurgy is the practice of extracting valuable metals from an ore and then refining the extracted metal into a purer form. As a metallurgical engineer in extractive metallurgy, you will have to use different processes like hydrometallurgy, electrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy and also refining processes.

CAREER GROWTH

At first, junior metallurgical engineers need to work under the supervision of senior engineers after their B.Tech. In the major companies, they will be employed as a Graduate Engineering Trainee where they will receive formal training. With more knowledge and expertise, they can have independence and can handle difficult projects as Assistant Engineer or Senior Engineer. Eventually, you will be able to move into technical specialties like plant engineer, welding engineer, etc. and supervise your team of engineers and technicians. Many engineers also go for managerial roles like Quality Manager or Plant General Manager. Plus, metallurgical engineers might be important in sales too for discussing the technical aspects like product installation and use.

Salary Offered  

As metallurgy is one of the most important branches of engineers, it has high growth in the market. As an entry-level metallurgist, you can earn ₹ 25,000 - 45,000 per month. At a junior level, it can go up to ₹ 30,000-60,000 per month.  This can increase with more experience and a mid-level level earning can hit about ₹50,000-85,000 per month. Top-level metallurgists can get much higher receiving about ₹120,000-3,00,000 or more 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 a metallurgical engineer, you have to possess a lot of knowledge about the physical and chemical composition of metals. You also need to work with other scientists or engineers to develop a proper product. Here are a few core skills and activities that a metallurgical engineer must master:

1. Always be ready to work in teams. Collaborating with others helps the team to develop better products at a faster pace.

2. Assessment of own performance and the performance of others as well as taking corrective actions where necessary.

3. Research and seek out ways to optimize the production process by closely monitoring factors like quality control, production, etc.

4. Prepare things with keen attention to detail at every step of the process.

5. Taking the correct decisions on the basis of how a system would work and how any changes can affect the outcome of a process.

6. Conducting tests and inspections of products or processes to evaluate quality or performance.