Also called: Machining Applications Engineer
Works for a tool company, visiting machine shops to pick the right drills, end mills and cutting speeds so customers make parts faster.
You walk into a shop that's burning through drill bits on titanium parts. You watch the machine, listen to the cut, change the speed and the tool coating, and suddenly each bit lasts five times longer. Part engineer, part detective, part salesperson.
Estimate; often includes bonuses and a company car.
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 mechanical or manufacturing engineering, or years as an expert machinist.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering Technology.
Growing about average. No separate BLS projection.
Low risk for 10 years. AI tool-recommendation apps help, but solving chatter and tool wear in a customer's shop is hands-on and trust-based.
Classes: Machining or shop class, Physics, Algebra II, Public speaking.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2141.
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.