materials engineer
Role lens
Are you fascinated by the science behind everyday objects? As a materials engineer, you’ll be at the forefront of innovation, developing and improving the materials that shape our world, from advanced alloys to sustainable textiles.
Materials engineers are vital in a wide range of industries, working to create materials with specific properties for diverse applications. Your days might involve analyzing material composition, designing new formulations, conducting rigorous testing, and advising companies on material performance, quality, and responsible recycling practices. This role requires a blend of scientific understanding, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to innovation.
- • Researching and developing new materials, such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites.
- • Analyzing material properties and performance through experimentation and testing.
- • Advising companies on material selection, damage assessment, and quality assurance.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ireland and 4 more.
Longest-running shortage: Ireland, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
Explore More
Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could materials engineer fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Future Outlook for materials engineer
The outlook for materials engineer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could materials engineer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could materials engineer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- apply health and safety standards
- assess environmental impact
- create solutions to problems
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- forecast organisational risks
- analyse production processes for improvement
- test materials
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Construction
A typical day as a materials engineer
09 09:00 · Morning assess environmental impact
10 10:30 · Mid-morning develop advanced materials
12 12:00 · Midday adjust engineering designs
14 14:00 · Afternoon analyse production processes for improvement
15 15:30 · Late afternoon apply health and safety standards
17 17:00 · Wrap-up approve engineering design
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
-
advanced materials
Innovative materials with unique or enhanced properties relative to conventional materials. Advanced materials are developed using specialised processing and synthesis technologies that provide a distinctive advantage in physical or functional performance.
-
engineering processes
The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
-
integrated design
Approach to design which includes several related disciplines, with the aim to design and build according to the Near Zero Energy Building principles. The interplay between all aspects of building design, building use and outdoor climate.
-
sustainable building materials
The types of building material which minimize the negative impact of the building on the external environment, throughout their whole life cycle.
- analytical chemistry
- chemistry
- composite materials
-
test materials
Test the composition, characteristics, and use of materials in order to create new products and applications. Test them under normal and extraordinary conditions.
-
develop advanced materials
Select materials for further exploration and conduct material synthesis experiments to support the development of advanced materials.
-
test chemical samples
Perform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schemes.
-
create solutions to problems
Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
-
forecast organisational risks
Analyse the operations and actions of a company in order to assess their repercussions, possible risks for the company, and to develop suitable strategies to address these.
-
adjust engineering designs
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
-
perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
-
perform chemical experiments
Perform chemical experiments with the aim of testing various products and substances in order to draw conclusions in terms of product viability and replicability.
-
develop material testing procedures
Develop testing protocols in collaboration with engineers and scientists to enable a variety of analyses such as environmental, chemical, physical, thermal, structural, resistance or surface analyses on a wide range of materials such as metals, ceramics or plastics.
-
integrate new products in manufacturing
Assist with the integration of new systems, products, methods, and components in the production line. Ensure that production workers are properly trained and follow the new requirements.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how materials engineer aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does materials engineer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of industries employ materials engineers?
- Materials engineers are in demand across numerous sectors, including aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, energy, healthcare, and manufacturing. The specific focus within each industry can vary greatly, from developing lighter aircraft components to creating biocompatible medical implants.
- Does this role require a lot of lab work?
- While laboratory work and experimentation are significant aspects of the role, materials engineers also spend considerable time analyzing data, developing models, writing reports, and collaborating with other engineers and stakeholders. The balance between lab work and other activities can vary depending on the specific role and company.
- What are the key skills needed to succeed as a materials engineer?
- Strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of materials science principles, proficiency in data analysis and modeling software, and excellent communication skills are essential. The ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and a commitment to continuous learning, are also vital for success.
- Materials Engineer — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 8 of the 13 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain and 4 more. Ireland has reported one for 4 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Materials Engineer — what does it pay in the United States?
- $104,160 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $69,010 to $177,030. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.