Jobs / Architecture and engineering / 17-2131.00
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.
- US jobs
- 22,770
- Median wage
- $112,860 a year
- Job family
- Architecture and engineering
Can agents do the work of materials engineers?
We read the evidence for the whole job family, Architecture and engineering: Some tasks (first measured in the last 12 months)
Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.
Evidence: HWE-Bench, 79.9% of tasks completed.
Direct evidence that disagrees: Parametric CAD Bench V3, 9% of tasks fully completed (Perfect tasks).
0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.
- 7%Plan work activitiesNot measured
- 6%Test characteristics of materials or productsNot measured
- 6%Evaluate designs, specifications, or other technical dataNot measured
- 6%Direct scientific or technical activitiesNot measured
- 6%Manage control systems or activitiesNot measured
- 5%Supervise personnel activitiesNot measured
- 5%Analyze performance of systems or equipmentNot measured
- 5%Resolve personnel or operational problemsNot measured
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in architecture and engineering, not always this occupation's tasks.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
- 61%Claude Opus 5.5 (max) with Claude Code 2.1.280 · 24 Sep 2026Strong
Also relevant
These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.
- 64.8%Claude Code + Opus 5.5 (max) · 6 Oct 2026Strong
Context only
These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- Review new product plans, and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
- Solve problems in a number of engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace.
- Plan and implement laboratory operations to develop material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards.
- Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
- Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials.
- Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.
- Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
- Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and corporate executives, as necessary.
- Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.
- Supervise production and testing processes in industrial settings, such as metal refining facilities, smelting or foundry operations, or nonmetallic materials production operations.
Other job titles for this occupation (29)
Automotive Sheet Metal Engineer · Ceramic Engineer · Extrusion Engineer · Materials Development Engineer · Materials Research Engineer · Metallurgical Engineer · Metallurgist · Process Engineer · Textile Engineer · Ceramic Design Engineer · Ceramic Research Engineer · Ceramics Test Engineer · Characterization Engineer · Corrosion Engineer · Extractive Metallurgist · Failure Analysis Engineer · Forensic Materials Engineer · Foundry Metallurgist · Foundry Process Engineer · Glass Science Engineer · Material Science Engineer · Metallographer · Metallurgical Specialist · Physical Metallurgist · Plastics Engineer · Polymer Engineer · Process Metallurgist · Smelting Engineer · Welding Engineer