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How exposed to AI is a Mechanical Engineer?

Of the 28 tasks O*NET lists for mechanical engineers, 5 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 11 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
Application EngineerDesign EngineerEquipment EngineerMechanical Design EngineerMechanical DesignerMechanical EngineerProduct Development EngineerProduct EngineerProject EngineerTest Engineer
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
28
tasks rated for this occupation
53%
hold a degree, from a survey of 24
278k
people do this job in the US
37 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

5
  • Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports
  • Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions
  • Provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems or needs
  • Provide technical customer service
  • Study industrial processes to maximize the efficiency of equipment applications, including equipment placement

Only with software built on top

12
  • Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations
  • Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products, using drafting tools or computer-assisted drafting equipment or software
  • Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications
  • Estimate costs or submit bids for engineering, construction, or extraction projects
  • Recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints
  • Evaluate mechanical designs or prototypes for energy performance or environmental impact
  • Design integrated mechanical or alternative systems, such as mechanical cooling systems with natural ventilation systems, to improve energy efficiency
  • Apply engineering principles or practices to emerging fields, such as robotics, waste management, or biomedical engineering
  • Write performance requirements for product development or engineering projects
  • Calculate energy losses for buildings, using equipment such as computers, combustion analyzers, or pressure gauges
  • Establish or coordinate the maintenance or safety procedures, service schedule, or supply of materials required to maintain machines or equipment in the prescribed condition
  • Select or install combined heat units, power units, cogeneration equipment, or trigeneration equipment that reduces energy use or pollution

Cannot be sped up

11
  • Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements
  • Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information
  • Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs
  • Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions
  • Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification
  • Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications
  • Conduct research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of equipment, components, or systems
  • Design test control apparatus or equipment or develop procedures for testing products
  • Direct the installation, operation, maintenance, or repair of renewable energy equipment, such as heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) or water systems
  • Perform personnel functions, such as supervision of production workers, technicians, technologists, or other engineers
  • Solicit new business
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.