Skill report · Machine Learning & AI
Feature Engineering: demand in job postings
Feature Engineering is named in 3% of the 28,652 tech job postings Mettlespark read in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days (778 postings), most often for MLOps Engineer at 29%, Machine Learning Engineer at 22% and Data Scientist at 15%. When a posting names it, 82% list it as required.
From 28,652 postings in the United States and Canada, April 23, 2026 to October 20, 2026. Updated October 20, 2026. How we count
- Postings naming it
- 7783% of all postings
- Required when named
- 82%rather than nice to have
- Senior level or above
- 66%of the postings naming it
- Time to learn
- about 25 hoursfrom zero to job-ready, Mettlespark's estimate
Over time
Its share of postings has held steady since October 2023, comparing like with like.
The roles that ask for it most
The share of each role's postings that name Feature Engineering.
| Role | Share of the role's postings |
|---|---|
| MLOps Engineer | |
| Machine Learning Engineer | |
| Data Scientist | |
| Data Architect | |
| AI Engineer | |
| Data Engineer | |
| Applied Scientist | |
| Applied AI Engineer |
Often asked for alongside
The share of postings naming Feature Engineering that also name each.
Industries
Where the postings naming it come from.
- Banking & Financial Services14%
- Healthcare10%
- Retail & E-commerce6%
- Education6%
Learn first
What Mettlespark's learning plans put before Feature Engineering:
Quick answers
Is Feature Engineering in demand?
Feature Engineering is named in 3% of tech job postings in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days, 778 postings, and required in 82% of those. Its share of postings has held steady since October 2023, comparing like with like.
Which jobs ask for Feature Engineering?
MLOps Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist and Data Architect postings name it most often: 29% of MLOps Engineer postings, 22% of Machine Learning Engineer postings, 15% of Data Scientist postings.
What skills go with Feature Engineering?
Postings that name Feature Engineering most often also name Machine Learning, Python, MLOps and LLMs.
What should I learn before Feature Engineering?
Mettlespark's learning plans put Machine Learning first.
How long does it take to learn Feature Engineering?
About 25 hours from zero to job-ready, by Mettlespark's estimate; less with the prerequisites already in hand.