JOB REPORT / 17-2131 · 21 TASKS

Materials Engineers.

Can AI do the work of Materials Engineers?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Replicate the characteristics of materials and their components, using…
Write for technical magazines, journals, and trade association publications
Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results…

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Materials Engineers work. It covers the 19 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

19 of 21 tasks reviewed

This job has 21 core tasks. We went through 19 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Materials Engineers actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Replicate the characteristics of materials and their components, using computers.
AI DOES
Runs simulations, predicts material behavior, and spots patterns in large datasets
YOU DO
Validate outputs, define the right problem, and apply real-world engineering judgment
TASK 02
Write for technical magazines, journals, and trade association publications.
AI DOES
Drafts outlines, suggests structure, polishes sentences, checks grammar, and formats citations
YOU DO
Supply original test data, interpret results, and stand behind published findings
TASK 03
Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
AI DOES
Scans large datasets for patterns, flags anomalies, and summarizes lab test reports quickly
YOU DO
Apply physical intuition and materials expertise to confirm root causes and design safe, testable solutions
TASK 04
Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
AI DOES
Summarizes technical specs, flags cost differences, and surfaces relevant material properties fast
YOU DO
Weigh real-world constraints, safety risks, and design goals that require deep engineering judgment
TASK 05
Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials.
AI DOES
Searches materials databases, suggests joining techniques, and flags compatibility issues between materials
YOU DO
Apply hands-on experience and judge trade-offs for the specific project context
TASK 06
Review new product plans, and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
AI DOES
Searches material databases, compares property tradeoffs, and drafts initial candidate lists
YOU DO
Apply engineering judgment and take responsibility for final material recommendations
TASK 07
Solve problems in a number of engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace.
AI DOES
Searches literature, runs simulations, drafts analysis reports, and flags known failure patterns
YOU DO
Test materials in the real world and own the safety calls
TASK 08
Perform managerial functions, such as preparing proposals and budgets, analyzing labor costs, and writing reports.
AI DOES
Drafts proposals, formats budgets, summarizes cost data, and generates report templates
YOU DO
Apply deep technical and organizational context to every number and recommendation
TASK 09
Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
AI DOES
Drafts test protocols, suggests control parameters, and flags data anomalies
YOU DO
Direct the physical testing process and make judgment calls when results surprise you
TASK 10
Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
AI DOES
Scans performance data, spots trends, and flags early signs of wear or failure
YOU DO
Inspect materials in person and decide what the data really means for safety
TASK 11
Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.
AI DOES
Searches material property databases, drafts comparison tables, and flags candidate materials based on specs
YOU DO
Build team trust, read lab results in context, and make calls when tradeoffs get messy
TASK 12
Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and corporate executives, as necessary.
AI DOES
Drafts project outlines, summarizes technical research, and flags risks based on past project data
YOU DO
Build trust with executives and engineers, weigh trade-offs, and make final calls
TASK 13
Conduct training sessions on new material products, applications, or manufacturing methods for customers and their employees.
AI DOES
Drafts slides, summaries, quizzes, and plain-language explanations of new materials or processes
YOU DO
Lead live sessions, adapt on the fly, and build relationships with customer teams
TASK 14
Present technical information at conferences.
AI DOES
Drafts slide content, summarizes research findings, and suggests clear visuals
YOU DO
Show up, speak confidently, and answer tough questions in the moment
TASK 15
Design processing plants and equipment.
AI DOES
Generates initial layouts, suggests equipment options, and checks spec sheets
YOU DO
Apply site knowledge, safety codes, and final engineering judgment
TASK 16
Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
AI DOES
Analyzes test results, spots patterns in data, and flags samples that fall outside quality specs
YOU DO
Run the physical tests, operate lab equipment, and make final calls on material quality
TASK 17
Plan and implement laboratory operations to develop material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards.
AI DOES
Searches research literature, drafts procedure outlines, and flags cost or spec conflicts
YOU DO
Run the actual tests, read physical results, and make trade-off calls on specs vs. cost
TASK 18
Teach in colleges and universities.
AI DOES
Drafts lesson plans, explains hard concepts in simpler ways, and helps grade quizzes
YOU DO
Show up in person, mentor students, and adapt to what the class actually needs
TASK 19
Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.
AI DOES
Drafts performance feedback, schedules, and progress reports
YOU DO
Build team trust and handle real-time people decisions in person

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Materials Engineers
SOC code: 17-2131
Tasks reviewed: 19 of 21

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $112,860 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $124,030 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 22,770
Employed in Colorado: 810
Job outlook: +5.7% by 2034 · ~1,500 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Replicate the characteristics of materials and their components, using computers.

Write for technical magazines, journals, and trade association publications.

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

Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.

Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials.

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

Solve problems in a number of engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace.

Perform managerial functions, such as preparing proposals and budgets, analyzing labor costs, and writing reports.

Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.

Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.

Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.

Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and corporate executives, as necessary.

Conduct training sessions on new material products, applications, or manufacturing methods for customers and their employees.

Present technical information at conferences.

Design processing plants and equipment.

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

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

Teach in colleges and universities.

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

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.