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Materials Engineer

As a Materials Engineer, you play a crucial role in shaping the future of technology and manufacturing by developing, testing, and optimizing materials that are essential for innovative products. Your expertise not only drives efficiency and sustainability in industries across the UK but also contributes to global advancements in fields like aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy.

Materials Engineer

28

Engineering and Technology

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO28%moving to73%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSD
STARTING PAY£28,000 - £35,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.
AI helps here, but has not taken over
AI can already do some of this job, but the day-to-day work still leans on a person to decide, check and take responsibility. Nothing formally protects this job though, so the safest move is to keep building the judgement AI cannot yet copy.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior Materials EngineerIn this entry-level role, you will assist senior engineers in conducting experiments and analysing material properties. You will gain hands-on experience in laboratories and support the development of new materials.£28,000 - £35,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-level Materials EngineerAs a mid-level engineer, you will lead projects, mentor junior engineers, and take on more complex material design challenges. Your expertise will be crucial in driving innovation and improving product performance.£45,000 - £60,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior/Head of Materials EngineeringIn this peak career role, you will oversee materials engineering teams, set strategic direction for projects, and drive research initiatives. Your leadership will shape the future of materials engineering within the organisation.£70,000+
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AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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