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 highGroup-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
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Group-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
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.26
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-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
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
Show 89 hidden tasks30 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 % |
|---|---|---|
Prepare charts, graphs, or diagrams to illustrate workflow, routing, floor layouts, material handling, or machine utilization.17-3026.00 | 0.004021.3 | —0 |
Interpret engineering drawings, sketches, or diagrams.17-3029.05 | 0.003820.2 | 0.016851.5 |
Develop or maintain programs associated with automated production equipment.17-3029.06 | 0.003116.5 | —0 |
Troubleshoot problems with equipment, devices, or products.17-3029.09 | 0.002613.8 | —0 |
Provide advice or training to other technicians.17-3029.09 | 0.001910.1 | —0 |
Analyze, estimate, or report production costs.17-3029.05 | 0.00189.6 | —0 |
Evaluate data and write reports to validate or indicate deviations from existing standards.17-3026.00 | 0.00168.5 | 0.008325.5 |
Ensure adherence to safety rules and practices. | —0 | 0.005115.6 |
Measure and record data associated with operating equipment. | —0 | 0.00247.4 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Read worker logs, product processing sheets, or specification sheets to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.O*NET Task ID 3668 | 1.0 |
Prepare production documents, such as standard operating procedures, manufacturing batch records, inventory reports, or productivity reports.O*NET Task ID 22039 | 1.0 |
Provide advice or training to other technicians.O*NET Task ID 22040 | 1.0 |
Study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency.O*NET Task ID 3660 | 0.5 |
Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, or anticipated delays.O*NET Task ID 3663 | 0.5 |
Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.O*NET Task ID 3672 | 0.5 |
Evaluate industrial operations for compliance with permits or regulations related to the generation, storage, treatment, transportation, or disposal of hazardous materials or waste.O*NET Task ID 19692 | 0.5 |
Adhere to all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures for health, safety, and environmental compliance.O*NET Task ID 22022 | 0.5 |
Analyze, estimate, or report production costs.O*NET Task ID 22023 | 0.5 |
Assist engineers in developing, building, or testing prototypes or new products, processes, or procedures.O*NET Task ID 22024 | 0.5 |
Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.O*NET Task ID 22026 | 0.5 |
Coordinate equipment purchases, installations, or transfers.O*NET Task ID 22027 | 0.5 |
Create or interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, formulas, or blueprints for management or engineering staff.O*NET Task ID 22028 | 0.5 |
Design plant layouts or production facilities.O*NET Task ID 22029 | 0.5 |
Develop manufacturing infrastructure to integrate or deploy new manufacturing processes.O*NET Task ID 22030 | 0.5 |
Develop or implement programs to address problems related to production, materials, safety, or quality.O*NET Task ID 22031 | 0.5 |
Develop production, inventory, or quality assurance programs.O*NET Task ID 22032 | 0.5 |
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.O*NET Task ID 22033 | 0.5 |
Identify opportunities for improvements in quality, cost, or efficiency of automation equipment.O*NET Task ID 22034 | 0.5 |
Monitor and adjust production processes or equipment for quality and productivity.O*NET Task ID 22035 | 0.5 |
Oversee or inspect production processes.O*NET Task ID 22037 | 0.5 |
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.O*NET Task ID 22038 | 0.5 |
Recommend corrective or preventive actions to assure or improve product quality or reliability.O*NET Task ID 22041 | 0.5 |
Select material quantities or processing methods needed to achieve efficient production.O*NET Task ID 22043 | 0.5 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
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 |
0.28/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Adhere to all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures for health, safety, and environmental compliance. | E2 structured facilities |
| Assist engineers in developing, building, or testing prototypes or new products, processes, or procedures. | E0 none |
| Calibrate or adjust equipment to ensure quality production, using tools such as calipers, micrometers, height gauges, protractors, or ring gauges. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Monitor and adjust production processes or equipment for quality and productivity. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Oversee or inspect production processes. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Set up and operate production equipment in accordance with current good manufacturing practices and standard operating procedures. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
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
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 code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32122 | 품질관리 사무원 | Overlapping, not the same | confirmed |
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)
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 code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| H1404 | Technicien / Technicienne méthodes | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| H1526 | Technicien / Technicienne qualité-surveillance d'installations industrielles | This occupation is broader |
| H2212 | Technicien / Technicienne de fabrication en industrie du bois | This occupation is broader |
| H1403 | Gestionnaire de flux de production | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| H1528 | Technicien / Technicienne qualité en industrie | Related, 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 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 3129 | Otros técnicos de las ciencias físicas, químicas, medioambientales y de las ingenierías | This 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 code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 27303 | Berufe in der technischen Produktionsplanung und -steuerung - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | This occupation is narrower |
| 27302 | Berufe in der technischen Produktionsplanung und -steuerung - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 23413 | Berufe in der Drucktechnik - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
| 21313 | Berufe in der Glasherstellung - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 22103 | Berufe in der Kunststoff- und Kautschukherstellung (ohne Spezialisierung) - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 22303 | Berufe in der Holzbe- und -verarbeitung (ohne Spezialisierung) - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 24203 | Berufe in der Metallbearbeitung (ohne Spezialisierung) - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 28103 | Berufe in der Textiltechnik (ohne Spezialisierung) - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 28123 | Berufe in der Textilherstellung - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 28133 | Berufe in der Garn- und Seilherstellung - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 28143 | Berufe in der Textilveredlung - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 28223 | Berufe in der Bekleidungs-, Hut- und Mützenherstellung - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 28313 | Berufe in der Lederherstellung - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, 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 code | JSCO 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