Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Architecture and Engineering Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 17-3027.00
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
- 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
0.068
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 30 hidden tasks30 rated tasks · 23 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (76.7%)
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 17-3027.00 Mechanical Engineering Technicians; 17-3029.07 Mechanical Engineering Technologists, linked to this occupation by the O*NET-SOC 2010 to 2019 crosswalk
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % |
|---|---|
Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress.17-3029.07 | 0.211387.8 |
Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods.17-3027.00 | 0.00562.3 |
Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.17-3027.00 | 0.00512.1 |
Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation.17-3029.07 | 0.00401.7 |
Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures.17-3029.07 | 0.00351.5 |
Assist engineers to design or develop electrochemical devices, such as solid oxide membranes or other products for sustainable applications.17-3029.07 | 0.00351.5 |
Prepare specifications, designs, or sketches for machines, components, or systems related to the generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy.17-3029.07 | 0.00331.4 |
Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings.17-3029.07 | 0.00230.9 |
Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.17-3029.07 | 0.00220.9 |
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 |
|---|---|
Prepare parts sketches and write work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors.O*NET Task ID 1474 | 1.0 |
Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.O*NET Task ID 1485 | 1.0 |
Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods.O*NET Task ID 1486 | 1.0 |
Discuss changes in design, method of manufacture and assembly, or drafting techniques and procedures with staff and coordinate corrections.O*NET Task ID 22080 | 1.0 |
Prepare equipment inspection schedules, reliability schedules, work plans, or other records.O*NET Task ID 22083 | 1.0 |
Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.O*NET Task ID 1475 | 0.5 |
Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.O*NET Task ID 1476 | 0.5 |
Review project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing.O*NET Task ID 1477 | 0.5 |
Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications.O*NET Task ID 1482 | 0.5 |
Evaluate tool drawing designs by measuring drawing dimensions and comparing with original specifications for form and function using engineering skills.O*NET Task ID 1483 | 0.5 |
Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.O*NET Task ID 1487 | 0.5 |
Estimate cost factors including labor and material for purchased and fabricated parts and costs for assembly, testing, or installing.O*NET Task ID 1488 | 0.5 |
Analyze energy requirements and distribution systems to maximize the use of intermittent or inflexible renewable energy sources, such as wind or nuclear.O*NET Task ID 22070 | 0.5 |
Analyze or estimate production costs, such as labor, equipment, and plant space.O*NET Task ID 22071 | 0.5 |
Assist engineers to design, develop, test, or manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, or other equipment.O*NET Task ID 22073 | 0.5 |
Conduct failure analyses, document results, and recommend corrective actions.O*NET Task ID 22075 | 0.5 |
Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.O*NET Task ID 22076 | 0.5 |
Design molds, tools, dies, jigs, or fixtures for use in manufacturing processes.O*NET Task ID 22077 | 0.5 |
Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures.O*NET Task ID 22078 | 0.5 |
Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings.O*NET Task ID 22082 | 0.5 |
Prepare layouts of machinery, tools, plants, or equipment.O*NET Task ID 22084 | 0.5 |
Prepare specifications, designs, or sketches for machines, components, or systems related to the generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy.O*NET Task ID 22085 | 0.5 |
Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation.O*NET Task ID 22086 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops. | Core |
| Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign. | Core |
| Review project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing. | Core |
| Set up and conduct tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance. | Core |
| Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications. | Core |
| Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval. | Core |
| Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods. | Core |
| Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance. | Core |
| Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems. | Core |
| Assist engineers to design, develop, test, or manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, or other equipment. | Core |
| Conduct failure analyses, document results, and recommend corrective actions. | Core |
| Design molds, tools, dies, jigs, or fixtures for use in manufacturing processes. | Core |
| Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures. | Core |
| Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings. | Core |
| Prepare equipment inspection schedules, reliability schedules, work plans, or other records. | Core |
| Prepare layouts of machinery, tools, plants, or equipment. | Core |
| Prepare specifications, designs, or sketches for machines, components, or systems related to the generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy. | Core |
| Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation. | Core |
| Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress. | Core |
| Prepare parts sketches and write work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors. | Supplemental |
| Evaluate tool drawing designs by measuring drawing dimensions and comparing with original specifications for form and function using engineering skills. | Supplemental |
| Estimate cost factors including labor and material for purchased and fabricated parts and costs for assembly, testing, or installing. | Supplemental |
| Set up prototype and test apparatus and operate test controlling equipment to observe and record prototype test results. | Supplemental |
| Analyze energy requirements and distribution systems to maximize the use of intermittent or inflexible renewable energy sources, such as wind or nuclear. | Supplemental |
| Assist mechanical engineers in product testing through activities such as setting up instrumentation for automobile crash tests. | Supplemental |
| Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs. | Supplemental |
| Analyze or estimate production costs, such as labor, equipment, and plant space. | — |
| Devise, fabricate, or assemble new or modified mechanical components for products such as industrial machinery or equipment, and measuring instruments. | — |
| Discuss changes in design, method of manufacture and assembly, or drafting techniques and procedures with staff and coordinate corrections. | — |
| Monitor, inspect, or test mechanical equipment. | — |
0.33/ 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 |
|---|---|
| Set up and conduct tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications. | E0 none |
| Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Assist engineers to design, develop, test, or manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, or other equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Conduct failure analyses, document results, and recommend corrective actions. | E0 none |
| Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Set up prototype and test apparatus and operate test controlling equipment to observe and record prototype test results. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Assist mechanical engineers in product testing through activities such as setting up instrumentation for automobile crash tests. | E0 none |
| Devise, fabricate, or assemble new or modified mechanical components for products such as industrial machinery or equipment, and measuring instruments. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Monitor, inspect, or test mechanical equipment. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
Values for the whole SOC 17-3027 group (Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians), not for this O*NET occupation alone.
- Employment, 2025
- 37K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 37K
- Change (2025–35)
- +1.3%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $74,510
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23531 | 기계공학 시험원 | Same scope | 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 3115Mechanical Engineering Technicians
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.
- mechanical engineering technicianESCO 3115.1Same scope
Mechanical engineering technicians provide technical support to mechanical engineers in producing and manufacturing mechanical machinery. They help make designs and adjustments, and perform tests. They also develop layouts and drawings, collate and interpret data and write reports.
- pneumatic engineering technicianESCO 3115.1.14This occupation is broader
Pneumatic engineering technicians evaluate operating pneumatic systems and assemblies such as compressed air machines, and recommend modifications for more efficiency. They are also involved in the design of pneumatic systems and components such as circuits.
- automotive engineering technicianESCO 3115.1.4Overlapping, not the same
Automotive engineering technicians work with automotive engineers to operate, repair, maintain and test equipment used in motor vehicles. In some environments, such as an airport they are responsible for keeping equipment and vehicles serviceable. They review blueprints and designs to determine test specifications and procedures. Automotive engineering technicians use software to make sure that parts of a motor vehicle are functioning properly. They record test procedures and results, and make recommendations for changes.
- mechanical engineerESCO 2144.1Overlapping, not the same
Mechanical engineers research, plan and design mechanical products and systems and supervise the fabrication, operation, application, installation and repair of systems and products. They research and analyse data.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| H1235 | Technicien / Technicienne en conception industrielle en mécanique | This occupation is broader |
| H1210 | Technicien / Technicienne R&D | Related, not a match |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3126 | Técnicos en mecánica | Same scope |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 25103 | Berufe in der Maschinenbau- und Betriebstechnik (ohne Spezialisierung) - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | This occupation is narrower |
| 24513 | Berufe in der Feinwerktechnik - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 24523 | Berufe in der Werkzeugtechnik - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 34203 | Berufe in der Klempnerei (ohne Spezialisierung) - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 34303 | Berufe in der Ver- und Entsorgung (ohne Spezialisierung) - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 34343 | Berufe im Anlagen-, Behälter- und Apparatebau - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| 27103 | Berufe in der technischen Forschung und Entwicklung (ohne Spezialisierung) - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
| 25183 | Berufe in der Maschinenbau- und Betriebstechnik (sonstige spezifische Tätigkeitsangabe) - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 25223 | Berufe in der Land- und Baumaschinentechnik - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 34213 | Berufe in der Sanitär-, Heizungs- und Klimatechnik - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 34233 | Berufe in der Kältetechnik - 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） | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 073 | 機械技術者（開発） | Related, not a matchprovisional |
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