Job prospects Materials Engineer in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "materials engineer" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Metallurgical and materials engineers (NOC 21322) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Manufacturers, mainly in iron and steel mills
• Architectural, engineering and related services firms

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Demand for engineering consulting services and the need for more complex and composite materials to support a range of activities and environmental sustainability
• Development and design of metal and material processes for electronic systems, renewable energy, and batteries for electric vehicles
• Investments in steel plants and mining and mineral exploration in Ontario

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• Knowledge of welding techniques and project management is an asset
• Generally, ‘engineering’ is a regulated occupation in Ontario. Individuals must be licensed by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) to practise ‘professional’ engineering in the province
• An unlicensed engineering graduate can carry out work in the occupation; however, a licensed engineer must take responsibility and sign off on the work.

Here are some key facts about Metallurgical and materials engineers in Ontario:

• Approximately 1,000 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Metallurgical and materials engineers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 28%
  • Motor vehicle, body, trailer and parts manufacturing (NAICS 3361-3363): 12%
  • Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331): 11%
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 6%
  • Utilities (NAICS 22): 5%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 91% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 9% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 83% of metallurgical and materials engineers work all year, while 17% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 12% of metallurgical and materials engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 83% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 17% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 6% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 45% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 46% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology