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Application engineer

Also called applied engineer, applied research engineer, BESS application engineer

Application engineers deal with the technical requirements, management, and design for the development of various engineering applications, such as systems, new product designs, or the improvements of processes. They are responsible for the implementation of a design or process improvement, they offer technical support for products, answer questions about the technical functionality and assist the sales team.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects40 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering professionalsWhat does it pay?Above averageFrom about €2,000 (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Science and engineering professionalsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified · ILO

What you'd do

Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified · ILO
  • Applying knowledge of engineering to the design, development and evaluation of biological and health systems and products such as artificial organs, prostheses and instrumentation
  • Designing devices used in various medical procedures and imaging systems such as magnetic resonance imaging, and devices for automating insulin injections or controlling body functions
  • Designing components of optical instruments such as lenses, microscopes, telescopes, lasers, optical disc systems and other equipment that utilize the properties of light
  • Designing, testing, and coordinating the development of explosive ordnance material to meet military procurement specifications
  • Designing and overseeing construction and operation of nuclear reactors and power plants and nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems
  • Designing and developing nuclear equipment such as reactor cores, radiation shielding and associated instrumentation and control mechanisms
  • Assessing damage and providing calculations for marine salvage operations
  • Studying and advising on engineering aspects of particular manufacturing processes, such as those related to glass, ceramics, textiles, leather products, wood and printing
  • Identifying potential hazards and introducing safety procedures and devices
Use technical drawing softwarePerform scientific researchManage engineering projectAnalyse test dataManage product testing+ 15 more essential skills

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering professionals in the EU
5.82m7.82m9.03m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
948,000 new jobs 2,300,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering professionals40
All jobs29
Right now
8 of 27 countries report a shortage of engineering professionals not elsewhere classified, 5 a surplus.
Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified · EURES

What does it pay?

Above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €2,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 90%Vocational 6%General secondary 3%Basic schooling 1%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.30 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 9 tasks
Designing components of optical instruments such as lenses, microscopes, telescopes, lasers, optical disc systems and other equipment that utilize the properties of light0.39
Applying knowledge of engineering to the design, development and evaluation of biological and health systems and products such as artificial organs, prostheses and instrumentation0.38
Studying and advising on engineering aspects of particular manufacturing processes, such as those related to glass, ceramics, textiles, leather products, wood and printing0.37
Designing and overseeing construction and operation of nuclear reactors and power plants and nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems0.34
Designing and developing nuclear equipment such as reactor cores, radiation shielding and associated instrumentation and control mechanisms0.32
Designing devices used in various medical procedures and imaging systems such as magnetic resonance imaging, and devices for automating insulin injections or controlling body functions0.31
Identifying potential hazards and introducing safety procedures and devices0.27
Assessing damage and providing calculations for marine salvage operations0.25
Designing, testing, and coordinating the development of explosive ordnance material to meet military procurement specifications0.13

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for engineering professionals not elsewhere classified. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).