medium risk

Materials Engineers

Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.

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Higher risk than 49% of occupations

AI Impact Summary

Materials Engineers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 32/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 49% of all analyzed occupations. Of 21 analyzed tasks, 3 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Limited protective factors mean this occupation has few buffers against AI automation.

This is a general assessment. to get a score adjusted for your experience, skills, and work environment.

How AI Impacts Each Task

21 tasks analyzed

Review new product plans and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.

Risk: 53.0%AI: 65EstimatedTime: 8%

Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.

Risk: 19.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 7%

Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 55EstimatedTime: 8%

Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.

Risk: 76.0%AI: 67EstimatedTime: 6%

Plan and implement laboratory operations to develop material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards.

Risk: 43.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 6%

Task	AI Capability	Risk	Time %
Review new product plans and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.	65Estimated	53.0%	8%
Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.	10Estimated	19.0%	7%
Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.	55Estimated	49.0%	8%
Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.	67Estimated	76.0%	6%
Plan and implement laboratory operations to develop material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards.	40Estimated	43.0%	6%

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable

AI-Resistant

AI-Vulnerable

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

AI-Resistant

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Materials Engineers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

Courseraintermediate

Machine Learning Specialization

by Stanford / DeepLearning.AI

~10 weeks$49/mo4.9Certificate

Addresses vulnerability: Mathematics

Estimated Impact

-7.4pt risk+$6K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Coursera

Creative Writing Specialization

by Wesleyan University

~8 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate

Enhances AI augmentation: Writing

Estimated Impact

-5.5pt risk+$6K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Courseraintermediate

Leading People and Teams Specialization

by University of Michigan

~6 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate

Strengthens resilience: Leadership

Estimated Impact

-3.7pt risk+$6K/yr salary

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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.