Also called: Body Armor Engineer, Vehicle Armor Engineer
Develops lightweight armor for vehicles, aircraft and the vests that protect soldiers and police.
You layer ceramics, fibers and metals into a test panel, send it to a firing range, and inspect what stopped the projectile. Every ounce matters, because soldiers and police have to wear or carry it.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in materials or mechanical engineering.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). Materials engineers overall.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps predict armor performance; making materials and live testing stays hands-on.
Classes: Chemistry, Physics, Shop class, AP Calculus.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2131.
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