Scope of Ceramic Engineering, Courses, Jobs & Salary

• By Ceramic Engineering we understand that it is the science and technology of creating objects from inorganic, non-metallic materials. The objects are done either by the action of heat, or at low temperatures using precipitation reactions from high-purity chemical solutions. 
• Ceramics are mainly used for making household utensils to spacecraft as heat-resistant material.  
• The ceramic industry is expanding with it's improved and new technology in the industry. 
• It plays an important role in the industry, and in everyday life as a product of art, for storage of food, etc. Because of its strength, durability, longer life, low cost, and non-metallic properties, it has opened new doors for the ceramic industry. There are 4 types of ceramics. They are as follows:

1. Household Ceramics or White ware goods – this includes products like pottery, porcelain, etc. 
2. Structural Ceramics – it includes the things used in the construction industry like bricks, pipes, floor, roof tiles, etc. 
3. Refractory Ceramics – it includes furnace liners, glass products, etc.
4. High-performance Technical Ceramics or Engineered Ceramics–it includes things like ceramic brake pads, dental implants, semiconductors, etc. 

Please find below the education information to become a ceramic engineer/ ceramic technologists.

• The candidate has to clear their 10+2 examination in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with good percentage. The duration of the course in Ceramic Engineering/Technology is 4 years.
• After graduation, a candidate can pursue postgraduate programme (M.E./M.Tech.) in Ceramic engineering. Those with B.E/ B.Tech in Ceramic/ Chemical/ Mechanical/ Electrical/ Manufacturing or other related field can also apply for master's degree. The duration of the course is 2 years.
• After completing the post-graduation, interested candidate can do their Ph.D/M.Phil.
• Besides, professional engineering degree, there are various polytechnics in India which offers Diploma in Ceramic Engineering. The duration of the Diploma course is 3 years. By doing this Diploma course, a student gets a complete knowledge of ceramics, their composition, process of manufacture and proper utilization. After completing the course, students are required to undergo 6 months training in any related industry.

There are several graduate and postgraduate courses available for an interested candidate who wants to pursue a career in Ceramic Engineering. They are as follows:

• B.E. Cement and Ceramic Engineering
• B.Tech.,M.Tech. Ceramic Engineering
• B.Tech. Ceramic Engineering
• B.Tech. Ceramic Technology
• Diploma in Ceramic Technology
• Diploma in Dental Ceramic Technology
• Diploma in Glass and Ceramic Engineering
• M.Tech. Ceramic Technology
• Ph.D. Ceramic Engineering

Some of the Institutions for studying Ceramic Engineering are as follows:

• Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 
• Institute of Information and Technology, multiple locations in India
• National Institute of Technology, Rourkela
• Government College of Engineering and Ceramic Technology, Kolkata
• Anna University
• PDA College of Engineering, Gulbarga (Karnataka) 
• Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (a branch of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Koltaka
• For the benefit of the working people in private and public sector or diploma holders who want to pursue Ceramic Engineering Indian Institute of Ceramics conduct Associate Membership Examination of the Institute of Engineers (AMIE)

• There is a wide career scope for a candidate after studying Ceramic Engineering. The work involved for a ceramic engineer is to create or develop new products using the existing ceramic materials. There are several steps involved in the process of making ceramic products and improving any of the step increases the productivity of the process. 
• To get employed in the public sector, the ceramic engineers have to give several government examinations like UPSC, PSC or SSC.   

Major public sector organizations recruiting these graduates are:

• Indian Space Research Organization
• Defense Metallurgical Research Laboratory
•  Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
• Institute for Plasma Research
• Public sector banks, Factories and Plants

There are several job opportunities which are available for Ceramic engineers/technologists in public and private sectors both. Some of the job profiles are:

• Ceramic Technologist
• Ceramic Designer
• Administrator
• Production worker
• Technician
• Entrepreneur
• Interior Designer
• Exterior Designer
• Construction Manager
• Repairer
• Researcher
• Inspector
• In manufacturing units, a fresh ceramic engineering graduate get recruited as a technical management trainee/junior or assistant technologist. With experience, they get the positions like administrators, project supervisors, sales engineers, department heads, technical consultants etc.
• Engineers who are in Research & Development with doctoral qualification can get job opportunities in laboratories and Universities.
• Sophisticated telescope lenses, ceramic fillings for teeth, materials that are required in space technology, ceramic spark plugs which areused in aerospace industry, etc. are some of the products which are used by the astronauts, dentists and astronomers.
• Other work areas were ceramic engineers get employed are aircraft, watercraft, heating and cooling systems, industrial equipment and machinery, food industries, packaging science, industrial and transmission electricity, guided light wave transmission etc. 
• Those involved in arts can also work with ceramic materials to produce ceramic artifacts in porcelain, clay, tiles etc. 
• One can get jobs in Indian Space Research Organization, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Institute for Plasma Research, etc.

There are few skills that are required to become Ceramic Engineer. They are as follows:

• The candidate must have strong knowledge on the various process involved with different types of ceramic substances.
• They must have strong foundation in basic sciences.
• They must be innovative in their work.
• They must have problem-solving attitude.
• The candidate must have good analytical skill.
• They must have good team spirit.
• He/she must have the ability to understand the demand of the market.
• They must have good communication skills and are able to convey their ideas.

There are few Universities where Ceramic Engineering can be done through Distance learning. They are as follows:

• Distance Education Academy, Noida, Uttar Pradesh – M.Tech. Ceramic Engineering
• Indian Institute of Ceramics, Kolkata 
   

• A Ceramic Engineer has a promising career and has an immense scope in the industry.
• A specialized course can be done fromCentral Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata, College of Ceramic Technology, Kolkata which helps a ceramic engineer to excel in his career. 
   

• To pursue a career in ceramic engineering or ceramic technologists, one must have a degree in ceramic engineering. 
• The candidate needs to clear their 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with good percentage of marks to complete the 4 year programme in Ceramic Engineering. They have to clear the entrance examinations on the national or state level or as per the rules of the institutefor admission.
• There are several polytechnics in India that has 3 years Diploma in Ceramic Engineering. The eligibility criteria to get admission for diploma programme is, the candidate need to pass their standard 10th examination with at least 50% marks.  
• Interested candidates can also pursue 2 years M.E./M.Tech. after completing their graduation in Ceramic Engineering/ Chemical/ Mechanical/ Electrical/ Manufacturing or other related field.  The admissions are based on the marks obtained at the graduation level. There are some institutes, where they select the candidate’s basis on the marks obtained on GATE score. 
• One can pursue research after completion of PhD.
   

In India, the ceramics industry has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approx. 15% with several job opportunities. With the advancement of technology it has expanded the applications of ceramic engineering.  
The job responsibilities of a Ceramic Engineer include:

• They use the principles from chemistry, physics and material science for analyzing, designing, manufacturing and maintaining ceramic systems.
• The Ceramic engineer has to work on varieties of products like glassware and electronic components to nuclear reactors and linings for blast furnaces and jet engines.
• With the advanced technology theceramic engineers try to improve the existing ceramics through heat and fire resistance. 
• They try to work on the new uses for ceramic products like using ceramics in miniaturized circuits and human bone and teeth replacements.
• There are many ceramic engineers who work in the production process. To make ceramics, they direct the processing of the natural raw minerals and synthetic materials. 
• Ceramic engineers also work in sales and show customers the way to use ceramics.

The salary structure of a Ceramic Engineer depends upon the candidate’s educational qualifications, experience, area of employment, companies and the institutions etc. 

• The starting salary of a fresh ceramic engineer graduate is approx. Rs. 8,000/- to 15,000/- per month.
• An experienced engineer, gets a salary approx. Rs. 40,000/- to Rs. 50,000/- per month
• An expert at management level earns approx. Rs. 60,000/- and more.
• The starting pay scale of a lecturer in a college is approx. Rs. 12,000/- to 13,000/- per month.
• In government sector, the initial basic salary is approx. Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 9,000/- per month plus other perks and benefits like life, health, and accident insurance and retirement benefits on a contributing or employer-paid basis. Some employers also offer stock options; profit sharing plans or pays annual bonuses.