Designs welding processes for ships, rockets, cars, and bridges and solves why welds crack.
You test a new robotic weld on rocket fuel tanks, cut samples to inspect under a microscope, and write the procedure every welder in the plant will follow.
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 welding engineering (a few schools like Ohio State) or materials/mechanical engineering.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Welding Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering.
Growing faster than average. Shortage of welding engineers in manufacturing.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI simulation and weld-quality analytics speed design; testing, plant problem-solving and code sign-off stay human.
Classes: Chemistry, Physics, AP Calculus, Welding CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2199.
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