Also called: Metal 3D Printing Engineer
Uses metal 3D printers to make rocket engine parts and aircraft brackets that can't be made any other way.
You design a part with hundreds of internal channels, set up a laser printer that melts metal powder layer by layer, and test the finished piece for strength.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in materials, mechanical, or manufacturing engineering.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). Uses BLS materials engineers projection.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI optimizes print settings and part shapes; qualifying parts, running printers and fixing failures stay human.
Classes: Physics, Chemistry, CAD class, Shop class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2131.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.