AI JOB RISK SCANNER
O*NET-SOC 17-2131.00 / model V11 rated-task engine

Will AI replace
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.

Estimated AI task exposure
65%

High exposure

V11 weights occupation tasks using O*NET Importance, Relevance and Frequency ratings instead of treating every task equally.

21 tasks have usable Task Rating records; weighted-task coverage is 100%.

Digital/info work

70/100

Physical moat

24/100

Human moat

42/100

Rating coverage

100%

21 task statements / 21 rated

Highest-weighted occupation tasks

Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
Importance 83/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 46/100Weight 0.80
Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.
Importance 68/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 60/100Weight 0.78
Review new product plans, and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
Importance 82/100Relevance 96/100Frequency 46/100Weight 0.78
Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
Importance 78/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 43/100Weight 0.78
Solve problems in a number of engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace.
Importance 75/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 60/100Weight 0.78
Plan and implement laboratory operations to develop material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards.
Importance 74/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 42/100Weight 0.76
Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.
Importance 71/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 38/100Weight 0.74
Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
Importance 70/100Relevance 100/100Frequency 37/100Weight 0.73
Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
Importance 72/100Relevance 96/100Frequency 39/100Weight 0.73
Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and corporate executives, as necessary.
Importance 69/100Relevance 92/100Frequency 39/100Weight 0.70

Task weighting

Each rated task receives a composite weight: 38% relevance, 37% importance and 25% frequency. Core tasks receive a small additional multiplier. Low-precision rows flagged by O*NET for suppression are excluded.

Occupation scoring

When rating coverage is strong, rated tasks contribute 60% of the digital, physical and human task signals and Work Activities contribute 40%. Lower-coverage occupations automatically rely more on Work Activities.

U.S. labor market

BLS Wage & Employment Outlook

Median annual wage

$112,860

BLS OEWS May 2025

National employment

22,770

BLS OEWS May 2025

Projected growth

+7.5%

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

Average annual openings

1

BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035

BLS labor-market figures are separate from the site's AI-exposure model. Missing values mean a compatible detailed BLS occupation estimate was not published or could not be mapped.

Career pivot radar

Safer Career Alternatives

These options are selected from the same 923-occupation model. They favor a similar task/work profile with meaningfully lower estimated AI exposure. They are suggestions for exploration, not guarantees of job fit.

SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Chefs and Head Cooks

12%

53 points lower exposure • 71% profile similarity

Median wage: $62,470 Growth 2025–2035: +6.6% Annual openings: 25

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Hydroelectric Production Managers

10%

55 points lower exposure • 69% profile similarity

Median wage: $126,060 Growth 2025–2035: +2.6% Annual openings: 17

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Butchers and Meat Cutters

5%

60 points lower exposure • 63% profile similarity

Median wage: $40,140 Growth 2025–2035: +2.4% Annual openings: 15

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

22%

43 points lower exposure • 76% profile similarity

Median wage: $59,050 Growth 2025–2035: +4.1% Annual openings: 21

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

11%

54 points lower exposure • 69% profile similarity

Median wage: $49,450 Growth 2025–2035: +1.5% Annual openings: 4

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure
SAFER ALTERNATIVE

Bicycle Repairers

5%

60 points lower exposure • 61% profile similarity

Median wage: $42,780 Growth 2025–2035: -5.7% Annual openings: 1

more physical-world work, less digital task exposure

Personalized career defense protocol

AI-Proofing Plan

AUTOMATE

  • routine information gathering
  • first-pass document drafting
  • standard reporting and summarization
  • repeatable administrative workflows

AUGMENT

  • research and analysis
  • quality checking AI-generated work
  • decision preparation
  • scenario generation

PROTECT

  • domain expertise
  • exception handling
  • accountability for outcomes

LEARN

  • AI-assisted research
  • workflow automation
  • data literacy
  • prompt and workflow design
  • AI output verification

AI-PROOFING RESOURCES

What this score does not mean

The percentage is a comparative task-exposure index. It is not the probability that this occupation disappears, that a worker is laid off, or that AI can perform the entire job.

New in V11

Find a Safer Career Path

High exposure does not mean starting over. V11 compares your occupation with the other 922 O*NET occupations and surfaces lower-exposure options with similar work profiles.

EXPLORE CAREER ALTERNATIVES
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