Materials Engineers
Machines can already do 34% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 63%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Materials Engineers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 34% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2031, and 63% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 22,770 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $112,860 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 67% for contact with people.
- Also called: Automotive Sheet Metal Engineer, Ceramic Engineer, Extrusion Engineer, Materials Development Engineer.
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions | 11% | 60% to 90% | |
| Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures | 10% | 10% to 30% | |
| Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality | 9% | 25% to 65% | |
| Perform managerial functions, such as preparing proposals and budgets, analyzing labor costs, and writing reports | 7% | 50% to 73% | |
| Review new product plans, and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost | 6% | 42% to 75% | |
| Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives | 6% | 60% to 90% | |
| Plan and implement laboratory operations to develop material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards | 6% | 40% to 75% | |
| Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and corporate executives, as necessary | 6% | 40% to 73% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills materials engineers use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much materials engineers rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.
- Go-to problem solver8/10
- Trust and reliability8/10
- Know-how about the organisation5/10
- Network and relationships4/10
- Mentoring and developing others2/10
- Culture and morale5/10
- Initiative beyond the role7/10
- Calm in a crisis6/10
- Bridge between teams5/10
- Reputation and influence4/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Food Scientists and Technologists50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $88,720
- Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar57% of tasks by 2035 · US median $122,930
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $78,190
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Materials Engineers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2031. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of materials engineers?
Machines can do 34% of the tasks of materials engineers today and 63% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 17-2131.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Materials Engineers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/materials-engineers/