Also called: CAD Kernel Developer, Computational Geometry Engineer
Writes the math behind 3D design software, so curves and surfaces in CAD, games and 3D printing come out right.
You code an algorithm to smoothly blend two curved surfaces of a car body, test it on weird shapes, and fix cases where it breaks. Your users are engineers and designers around the world.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Master's or PhD in math, computer science or mechanical engineering.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering.
Growing much faster than average (about 8% over 10 years). Mathematicians overall.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI writes much code, but robust geometry for CAD and 3D printing needs deep math skills.
Classes: AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science, Geometry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-2021.
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.