Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Architecture and Engineering Occupations
O*NET-SOC code
17-3026.00

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

  • Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08

    High· relative

    LowFour relative bandsVery high

    Group-level value

    Scale, basis and source

    Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)

    831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band

    Source dataset (XLSX download)

  • Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03

    0.000

    0.000Range of values carried here0.745

    Group-level value

    Scale, basis and source

    Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published

    Mapped onto O*NET tasks

    Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value

    Source dataset (CSV download)

  • Data source: ILOPublished: 2025

    0.26

    0.09Range of values carried here0.70

    Group-level value

    Scale, basis and source

    Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published

    Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published

    Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

Exposed tasks only

30 rated tasks · 24 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (80.0%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

  • Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
  • All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
Source
OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release
gh-main-0471612
License
MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Tasks of O*NET-SOC 2010 occupations 17-3026.00 Industrial Engineering Technicians; 17-3029.05 Industrial Engineering Technologists; 17-3029.06 Manufacturing Engineering Technologists; 17-3029.09 Manufacturing Production Technicians, linked to this occupation by the O*NET-SOC 2010 to 2019 crosswalk

Task (O*NET 20.1)Claude.aiRaw / share %APIRaw / share %
Interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, or formulas for management or engineering staff.

17-3026.00

0.005627.6—0
Prepare charts, graphs, or diagrams to illustrate workflow, routing, floor layouts, material handling, or machine utilization.

17-3026.00

0.003919.4—0
Troubleshoot problems with equipment, devices, or products.

17-3029.09

0.003115.3—0
Interpret engineering drawings, sketches, or diagrams.

17-3029.05

0.002512.20.007340.1
Design plant layouts or production facilities.

17-3029.06

0.00199.2—0
Calibrate or adjust equipment to ensure quality production, using tools such as calipers, micrometers, height gauges, protractors, or ring gauges.

17-3029.09

0.00188.7—0
Analyze, estimate, or report production costs.

17-3029.05

0.00167.7—0
Evaluate data and write reports to validate or indicate deviations from existing standards.
—00.004826.2
Provide advice or training to other technicians.
—00.003720.3
Ensure adherence to safety rules and practices.
—00.002413.4
Not observed on any surface — 88 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states.
Study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency.
—0—0
Recommend modifications to existing quality or production standards to achieve optimum quality within limits of equipment capability.
—0—0
Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, or anticipated delays.
—0—0
Read worker logs, product processing sheets, or specification sheets to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.
—0—0
Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
—0—0
Design new equipment or materials or recommend revision to methods of operation, material handling, equipment layout, or other changes to increase production or improve standards.
—0—0
Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
—0—0
Verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards by observing worker performance.
—0—0
Evaluate industrial operations for compliance with permits or regulations related to the generation, storage, treatment, transportation, or disposal of hazardous materials or waste.
—0—0
Initiate or participate in emergency response procedures to contain, secure, or clean spills of hazardous materials.
—0—0
Monitor environmental management systems for compliance with environmental policies, programs, or regulations.
—0—0
Operate industrial hygiene equipment in manufacturing environments to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants.
—0—0
Apply statistical quality control procedures to production test data.
—0—0
Order and purchase manufacturing equipment for production operations.
—0—0
Oversee or inspect production processes.
—0—0
Modify equipment or processes to improve resource or cost efficiency.
—0—0
Compile operational data to develop cost or time estimates, schedules, or specifications.
—0—0
Plan the flow of work or materials to maximize efficiency.
—0—0
Monitor and control inventory.
—0—0
Develop or implement programs to address problems related to production, materials, safety, or quality.
—0—0
Prepare schedules for equipment use or routine maintenance.
—0—0
Request equipment upgrades or purchases.
—0—0
Supervise production workers.
—0—0
Create computer applications for manufacturing processes or operations, using computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-assisted manufacturing (CAM) tools.
—0—0
Prepare reports regarding inventories of raw materials or finished products.
—0—0
Develop or conduct quality control tests to ensure consistent production quality.
—0—0
Collect and analyze data related to quality or industrial health and safety programs.
—0—0
Analyze operational, production, economic, or other data, using statistical procedures.
—0—0
Prepare layouts of machinery or equipment, using drafting equipment or computer-aided design (CAD) software.
—0—0
Conduct time and motion studies to identify opportunities to improve worker efficiency.
—0—0
Design plant or production facility layouts.
—0—0
Analyze material flows or supply chains to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and conserve energy.
—0—0
Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.
—0—0
Develop computerized diagnostic tools to integrate measurements in real time and reduce production downtime.
—0—0
Integrate high-speed loops and advanced control algorithms with graphical system designs to improve the efficiency of production operations.
—0—0
Prepare layouts, drawings, or sketches of machinery or equipment, such as shop tooling, scale layouts, or new equipment design, using drafting equipment or computer-aided design (CAD) software.
—0—0
Oversee equipment start-up, characterization, qualification, or release.
—0—0
Coordinate equipment purchases, installations, or transfers.
—0—0
Develop manufacturing infrastructure to integrate or deploy new manufacturing processes.
—0—0
Erect manufacturing engineering equipment.
—0—0
Install and evaluate manufacturing equipment, materials, or components.
—0—0
Monitor or measure manufacturing processes to identify ways to reduce losses, decrease time requirements, or improve quality.
—0—0
Develop or maintain programs associated with automated production equipment.
—0—0
Develop production, inventory, or quality assurance programs.
—0—0
Estimate manufacturing costs.
—0—0
Identify and implement new manufacturing technologies, processes, or equipment.
—0—0
Identify opportunities for improvements in quality, cost, or efficiency of automation equipment.
—0—0
Recommend corrective or preventive actions to assure or improve product quality or reliability.
—0—0
Select material quantities or processing methods needed to achieve efficient production.
—0—0
Verify weights, measurements, counts, or calculations and record results on batch records.
—0—0
Operate complex processing equipment.
—0—0
Plan, estimate, or schedule production work.
—0—0
Train manufacturing technicians on topics such as safety, health, fire prevention, or quality.
—0—0
Perform routine equipment maintenance.
—0—0
Analyze manufacturing supply chains to identify opportunities for increased efficiency in the acquisition of raw materials.
—0—0
Design plant or production layouts that minimize environmental impacts.
—0—0
Develop processes to recover, recycle, or reuse waste or scrap materials from manufacturing operations.
—0—0
Develop sustainable manufacturing technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize raw material use, replace toxic materials with non-toxic materials, replace non-renewable materials with renewable materials, or reduce waste.
—0—0
Evaluate current or proposed manufacturing processes or practices for environmental sustainability, considering factors such as green house gas emissions, air pollution, water pollution, energy use, or waste creation.
—0—0
Monitor manufacturing operations to ensure adherence to environmental policies and practices.
—0—0
Train manufacturing technicians on environmental protection topics.
—0—0
Collect hazardous or non-hazardous waste in correctly labeled barrels or other containers and transfer them to collection areas.
—0—0
Monitor and adjust production processes or equipment for quality and productivity.
—0—0
Prepare and assemble materials.
—0—0
Set up and operate production equipment in accordance with current good manufacturing practices and standard operating procedures.
—0—0
Assist engineers in developing, building, or testing prototypes or new products, processes, or procedures.
—0—0
Inspect finished products for quality and adherence to customer specifications.
—0—0
Keep production logs.
—0—0
Plan and lay out work to meet production and schedule requirements.
—0—0
Prepare production documents, such as standard operating procedures, manufacturing batch records, inventory reports, or productivity reports.
—0—0
Provide production, progress, or changeover reports to shift supervisors.
—0—0
Set up and verify the functionality of safety equipment.
—0—0
Start up and shut down processing equipment.
—0—0
Test products or subassemblies for functionality or quality.
—0—0
Adhere to all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures for health, safety, and environmental compliance.
—0—0
Clean production equipment or work areas.
—0—0
Install new equipment.
—0—0
Measure and record data associated with operating equipment.
—0—0
Select cleaning materials, tools, or equipment.
—0—0
Build product subassemblies or final assemblies.
—0—0
Build packaging for finished products.
—0—0
Maintain inventory of job materials.
—0—0
Package finished products.
—0—0
Ship packages, following carrier specifications.
—0—0
Clean scrap materials for recycling or reuse, such as preparing aluminum scrap for cold-bonding processes or preparing paper for pulping or ink removal processes.
—0—0
Conduct environmental safety inspections in accordance with standard protocols to ensure production activities comply with environmental regulations or standards.
—0—0
Separate scrap or waste materials for recycling, reuse, or environmentally sound disposal.
—0—0
Transfer hazardous or non-hazardous waste materials to collection areas for disposal, recycling, or reuse.
—0—0

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (30)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)Type
Study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency.Core
Read worker logs, product processing sheets, or specification sheets to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.Core
Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.Core
Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.Core
Verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards by observing worker performance.Core
Adhere to all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures for health, safety, and environmental compliance.Core
Analyze, estimate, or report production costs.Core
Assist engineers in developing, building, or testing prototypes or new products, processes, or procedures.Core
Coordinate equipment purchases, installations, or transfers.Core
Create or interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, formulas, or blueprints for management or engineering staff.Core
Develop or implement programs to address problems related to production, materials, safety, or quality.Core
Identify opportunities for improvements in quality, cost, or efficiency of automation equipment.Core
Monitor and adjust production processes or equipment for quality and productivity.Core
Oversee or inspect production processes.Core
Prepare layouts, drawings, or sketches of machinery or equipment, such as shop tooling, scale layouts, or new equipment design, using drafting equipment or computer-aided design (CAD) software.Core
Prepare production documents, such as standard operating procedures, manufacturing batch records, inventory reports, or productivity reports.Core
Provide advice or training to other technicians.Core
Recommend corrective or preventive actions to assure or improve product quality or reliability.Core
Select cleaning materials, tools, or equipment.Core
Select material quantities or processing methods needed to achieve efficient production.Core
Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, or anticipated delays.Supplemental
Evaluate industrial operations for compliance with permits or regulations related to the generation, storage, treatment, transportation, or disposal of hazardous materials or waste.Supplemental
Calibrate or adjust equipment to ensure quality production, using tools such as calipers, micrometers, height gauges, protractors, or ring gauges.Supplemental
Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.Supplemental
Design plant layouts or production facilities.Supplemental
Develop manufacturing infrastructure to integrate or deploy new manufacturing processes.Supplemental
Develop production, inventory, or quality assurance programs.Supplemental
Develop sustainable manufacturing technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize raw material use, replace toxic materials with non-toxic materials, replace non-renewable materials with renewable materials, or reduce waste.Supplemental
Oversee equipment start-up, characterization, qualification, or release.Supplemental
Set up and operate production equipment in accordance with current good manufacturing practices and standard operating procedures.Supplemental

Occupation information

Employment outlook (BLS)

Values for the whole SOC 17-3026 group (Industrial engineering technologists and technicians), not for this O*NET occupation alone.

Employment, 2025
77K
Projected employment, 2035
79K
Change (2025–35)
+3.1%
Median annual wage, 2025
$66,120
Typical education needed for entry
Associate's degree
lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO codeKSCO titleRelationStatus
32122품질관리 사무원Overlapping, not the sameconfirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

  • ISCO-08 3119Physical and Engineering Science Technicians Not Elsewhere Classified

The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.

This unit group covers physical and engineering science technicians not classified elsewhere in Minor Group 311: Physical and Engineering Science Technicians. For instance, the unit group includes those who assist scientists and engineers engaged in developing procedures or conducting research on safety, biomedical, environmental or industrial and production engineering.

Tasks

  • In such cases tasks would include -
  • (a) collecting data and providing technical assistance regarding: efficient, safe and economic utilization of personnel, material and equipment; methods of work and sequence of operations and supervision of their implementation; and efficient layout of plant or establishment;
  • (b) aiding in the identification of potential hazards and introducing safety procedures and devices;
  • (c) modifying and testing equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental pollution, site remediation and land reclamation;
  • (d) assisting in the development of environmental pollution remediation devices under the direction of an engineer;
  • (e) assisting engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

Example occupations

Engineering technician (production) · Fire investigator · Forensic science technician · Quantity surveying technician · Robotics technician · Time and motion study technician

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

  • industrial engineering technicianESCO 3119.8Same scope

    Industrial engineering technicians assist industrial engineers in improving efficiency, safety and productivity in manufacturing plants. They conduct production studies, prepare layouts for machinery and equipment and suggest solutions to remedy quality problems.

  • leather goods industrial engineerESCO 2141.4This occupation is broader

    Leather goods industrial engineers analyse product technical specifications, define productive operations and its sequence, refine working methods, calculate operative times by using time measurement techniques. They address human and technological resources to each operation and define distribution of work according to production capacity. All their activities and tasks have the objective of maximising productivity and reducing production costs, assuring the functionality and quality of product and customer satisfaction.

  • process engineering technicianESCO 3119.13This occupation is broader

    Process engineering technicians work closely with engineers to evaluate the existing processes and configure manufacturing systems to reduce cost, improve sustainability and develop best practices within the production process.

  • product development engineering technicianESCO 3119.14This occupation is broader

    Product development engineering technicians improve efficiency of product development, set up equipment and develop and test solutions to solve technical problems. They work closely with engineers and technologists, inspect products, conduct tests and collect data.

  • production engineering technicianESCO 3115.1.15This occupation is broader

    Production engineering technicians plan production, follow up production processes and develop and test solutions to solve technical problems. They work closely with engineers and technologists, inspect products, conduct tests, conduct tests collect data.

  • industrial engineerESCO 2141.3Overlapping, not the same

    Industrial engineers design a vast array of production systems aiming to present efficient and effective solutions. They integrate a varied number of variables such as workers, technology, ergonomics, production flows, and product specifications for the design and implementation of production systems. They can specify and design for microsystems as well.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME codeROME title (French)Relation
H1404Technicien / Technicienne méthodesThis occupation is narrowerprovisional
H1526Technicien / Technicienne qualité-surveillance d'installations industriellesThis occupation is broader
H2212Technicien / Technicienne de fabrication en industrie du boisThis occupation is broader
H1403Gestionnaire de flux de productionRelated, not a matchprovisional
H1528Technicien / Technicienne qualité en industrieRelated, not a matchprovisional

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 codeCNO-11 title (Spanish)Relation
3129Otros técnicos de las ciencias físicas, químicas, medioambientales y de las ingenieríasThis occupation is narrower

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB codeKldB title (German)Relation
27303Berufe in der technischen Produktionsplanung und -steuerung - komplexe SpezialistentätigkeitenThis occupation is narrower
27302Berufe in der technischen Produktionsplanung und -steuerung - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenThis occupation is broaderprovisional
23413Berufe in der Drucktechnik - komplexe SpezialistentätigkeitenRelated, not a match
21313Berufe in der Glasherstellung - komplexe SpezialistentätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional
22103Berufe in der Kunststoff- und Kautschukherstellung (ohne Spezialisierung) - komplexe SpezialistentätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional
22303Berufe in der Holzbe- und -verarbeitung (ohne Spezialisierung) - komplexe SpezialistentätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional
24203Berufe in der Metallbearbeitung (ohne Spezialisierung) - komplexe SpezialistentätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional
28103Berufe in der Textiltechnik (ohne Spezialisierung) - komplexe SpezialistentätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional
28123Berufe in der Textilherstellung - komplexe SpezialistentätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional
28133Berufe in der Garn- und Seilherstellung - komplexe SpezialistentätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional
28143Berufe in der Textilveredlung - komplexe SpezialistentätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional
28223Berufe in der Bekleidungs-, Hut- und Mützenherstellung - komplexe SpezialistentätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional
28313Berufe in der Lederherstellung - komplexe SpezialistentätigkeitenRelated, not a matchprovisional

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO codeJSCO title (Japanese)Relation
083機械技術者(開発を除く)Related, not a match
089その他の製造技術者(開発を除く)Related, not a match

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources