Mechanical Engineering Technologists
Assist mechanical engineers in such activities as generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy. Prepare layouts of machinery or equipment or plan the flow of work. May conduct statistical studies or analyze production costs.
AI Impact Summary
Mechanical Engineering Technologists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 33/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 53% of all analyzed occupations. Of 21 analyzed tasks, 4 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Mechanical Engineering Technologists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
21 tasks analyzed
Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings.
Assist engineers to design, develop, test, or manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, or other equipment.
Prepare specifications, designs, or sketches for machines, components, or systems related to the generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy.
Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures.
Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation.
Inspect and test mechanical equipment.
Conduct failure analyses, document results, and recommend corrective actions.
Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems.
Assist mechanical engineers in product testing through activities such as setting up instrumentation for automobile crash tests.
Prepare cost and materials estimates or project schedules.
Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress.
Oversee, monitor, or inspect mechanical installations or construction projects.
Design molds, tools, dies, jigs, or fixtures for use in manufacturing processes.
Apply testing or monitoring apparatus to operating equipment.
Prepare layouts of machinery, tools, plants, or equipment.
Analyze or estimate production costs, such as labor, equipment, or plant space.
Prepare equipment inspection schedules, reliability schedules, work plans, or other records.
Perform routine maintenance on equipment, such as leak detectors, glove boxes, or mechanical pumps.
Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.
Assist engineers to design or develop electrochemical devices, such as solid oxide membranes or other products for sustainable applications.
Analyze energy requirements and distribution systems to maximize the use of intermittent or inflexible renewable energy sources, such as wind or nuclear.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings. | 44.45Observed | 67.0% | 8% | |
| Assist engineers to design, develop, test, or manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, or other equipment. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 8% | |
| Prepare specifications, designs, or sketches for machines, components, or systems related to the generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy. | 60.5Observed | 51.2% | 8% | |
| Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 7% | |
| Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation. | 45Estimated | 33.0% | 6% | |
| Inspect and test mechanical equipment. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 6% | |
| Conduct failure analyses, document results, and recommend corrective actions. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 5% | |
| Assist mechanical engineers in product testing through activities such as setting up instrumentation for automobile crash tests. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 5% | |
| Prepare cost and materials estimates or project schedules. | 58.93Observed | 72.8% | 4% | |
| Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress. | 52.55Observed | 48.0% | 5% | |
| Oversee, monitor, or inspect mechanical installations or construction projects. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 4% | |
| Design molds, tools, dies, jigs, or fixtures for use in manufacturing processes. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Apply testing or monitoring apparatus to operating equipment. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Prepare layouts of machinery, tools, plants, or equipment. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 3% | |
| Analyze or estimate production costs, such as labor, equipment, or plant space. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 3% | |
| Prepare equipment inspection schedules, reliability schedules, work plans, or other records. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Perform routine maintenance on equipment, such as leak detectors, glove boxes, or mechanical pumps. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 3% | |
| Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 3% | |
| Assist engineers to design or develop electrochemical devices, such as solid oxide membranes or other products for sustainable applications. | 59.52Observed | 50.8% | 3% | |
| Analyze energy requirements and distribution systems to maximize the use of intermittent or inflexible renewable energy sources, such as wind or nuclear. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 4% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 31.1%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$77,390
per year
Mean Wage
$79,740
per year
Employment
64K
workers
Wage Range
$47,010 - $114,630
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Mechanical Engineering Technologists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Equipment Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change