Metallurgical Engineer - How to become a Metallurgical Engineer

Metallurgical Engineer also knew as Metallurgist is an expert professional involved in recovery and extraction of useful metals or minerals such as gold, coal, diamonds, copper and iron, from the minerals and ores in which they occur.

With the rapid increase in the industrialization and urbanization throughout the world and especially in the third world developing countries like India in the last couple of decade there is a spurt increase in demand various kinds of elements (metals and non-metals). As these elements are present in the earth’s crust in free or combined states, they have to be extracted from there in a profitable way thus arising the need of professionals apt in this work.

To undertake all these works in an effective manner a metallurgist requires engineering as well as administrative and supervisory skills. Extractive metallurgists need insight, logical thinking, well-developed problem-solving skills and self-discipline to do justice to his work. An ability to work with and to lead people along with good communication skills can prove beneficial to metallurgical engineers.

Metallurgical Engineer’s job profile also involves site investigation, feasibility studies, looking for feasible solutions to complications that may occur during the extraction work and metallurgical operations. 

Metallurgical Engineer working for the Government organization has to work with the guidelines of the local government authority. They are also responsible for preparing the cost estimates of the extraction works along with setting extraction schedules. On most projects, metallurgical engineers work in teams or in coordination with the engineering official of the other related streams.

Metallurgical Engineer Eligibility

For becoming a Metallurgical Engineer, one must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.

Metallurgical Engineer Required Skills

• Metallurgical Engineer should be able to work hard for long over in tough conditions.
• They should possess the necessary traits like discipline, patience, commitment to excel in their respective field and self-confidence.
• They should be complex problem solving such as identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• They should have critical thinking like using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

How to become a Metallurgical Engineer?

Aspiring candidates can follow either of the following given routes to become a Metallurgical Engineer.

Eligibility conditions to join a Metallurgical Engineering Course

1. Join Metallurgical Engineering Polytechnic  after 10^th and get a Diploma in Metallurgical Engineering

1. Educational Qualification

To be eligible for joining a Diploma in Metallurgical Engineering candidate should be 10^th Class pass or appeared.

Step 1

Interested candidate has to appear in an entrance test conducted by the Technical Education Boards of various State Governments (Joint Entrance Test in Punjab) and selected candidates are admitted in the Diploma colleges according to their rank in the entrance exam.

This exam is generally held in the month of May-June and consists of Objective type questions on the subject of English, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Aptitude.

Step 2

After completing this three years of Diploma in Metallurgical Engineering candidates can either look for a job as a junior engineer or take LEET exam to get admission in the second year of a degree in engineering course which is provided by some of the regional engineering colleges of the state.  OR

2. The second option for Metallurgical Engineering aspirants is to opt for 10+2 followed by the admission in the Metallurgical.

1. Educational Qualification.

To be eligible for joining Bachelors in Metallurgical Engineering one should be 10+2 Class pass or appeared in a Non-Medical stream with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as main subjects with a minimum of 60% marks in PCM for most of the prestigious colleges. 

Step 1

Eligible candidates have to appear in the entrance tests like IIT-JEE, CET  etc. conducted by various universities like Panjab University etc., Central Govt Organizations like CBSE and independent institution(like IIT’s, BITS Pilani etc) present at various places in India.

Step 2

After successful completion degree course and completion of the required internship, the candidate is ready to join Government, Semi Government or Privates sector as an Assistant Engineer.

As another option one can opt of higher qualification as Masters in Metallurgical Engineering followed by PhD in Metallurgical Engineering and can go for research work or for academics.

Metallurgical Engineer Job Description

Most major companies involved in the extraction of elements i.e. metallurgical operations offer accredited training programmes to help new metallurgy graduates to develop their practical skills. Thereafter trained graduates engineers can be appointed as extractive metallurgists at a plant or installation where they can gradually be promoted to the management level. 

Candidates with post graduation i.e. M.E. or higher like PhD etc can also choose a career in research and analysis field where they start as researchers in a metallurgical laboratory from where they can move into the several specialist fields. Mining companies usually use graduate extractive metallurgists or process engineers to implement new developments.

Besides joining some job experienced and suitably qualified metallurgists can well establish themselves as independent consultants offering, specialist advice and service to metallurgical plants and companies and can earn handsomely.

Metallurgical Engineer Career Prospects

The hierarchy for engineers working in the Government sector:-

Metallurgical Engineer Salary

Salaries of metallurgical engineer largely depend upon the education and experience they have besides the location and the kind of job they are involved in. Metallurgical engineer in the private or corporate sector can an average monthly salary in the range Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000 and can expect up to Rs. 50,000 per month with some experience. On the other hand in Government and Semi-Government Sector they do not get as much as in the private sector. But they are suitably compensated by other perks and allowances in addition to housing facilities, medical expenses benefit generally include paid holidays and vacations, health insurance, and pension plans. Above all, they command high status attached with the Government sector posts.