People Team AI Ask about a date

How exposed to AI is a Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technician?

Of the 30 tasks O*NET lists for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians, 6 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 12 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Engineering Laboratory Technician (Engineering Lab Technician)Engineering Technical AnalystEngineering Technician (Engineering Tech)Engineering TechnologistManufacturing Engineering Technician (Manufacturing Engineering Tech)Mechanical DesignerMechanical Technician (Mechanical Tech)Process Engineering Technician (Process Engineering Tech)Process TechnicianResearch and Development Technician (R and D Tech)
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
30
tasks rated for this occupation
37%
hold a degree, from a survey of 31
40k
people do this job in the US
40 of 56
least protected in architecture and engineering

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

6
  • Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign
  • Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation
  • Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications
  • Review project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing
  • Prepare equipment inspection schedules, reliability schedules, work plans, or other records
  • Prepare parts sketches and write work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors

Only with software built on top

12
  • Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings
  • Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops
  • Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods
  • Prepare specifications, designs, or sketches for machines, components, or systems related to the generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy
  • Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance
  • Prepare layouts of machinery, tools, plants, or equipment
  • Evaluate tool drawing designs by measuring drawing dimensions and comparing with original specifications for form and function using engineering skills
  • Analyze energy requirements and distribution systems to maximize the use of intermittent or inflexible renewable energy sources, such as wind or nuclear
  • Estimate cost factors including labor and material for purchased and fabricated parts and costs for assembly, testing, or installing
  • Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs
  • Analyze or estimate production costs, such as labor, equipment, and plant space
  • Discuss changes in design, method of manufacture and assembly, or drafting techniques and procedures with staff and coordinate corrections

Cannot be sped up

12
  • Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems
  • Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval
  • Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress
  • Design molds, tools, dies, jigs, or fixtures for use in manufacturing processes
  • Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures
  • Conduct failure analyses, document results, and recommend corrective actions
  • Set up and conduct tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance
  • Assist engineers to design, develop, test, or manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, or other equipment
  • Set up prototype and test apparatus and operate test controlling equipment to observe and record prototype test results
  • Assist mechanical engineers in product testing through activities such as setting up instrumentation for automobile crash tests
  • Devise, fabricate, or assemble new or modified mechanical components for products such as industrial machinery or equipment, and measuring instruments
  • Monitor, inspect, or test mechanical equipment
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.