Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other mobile equipment.
U.S. Workers
7,310
Median Salary
$82,730
10-Year Growth
+6.1%
Annual Openings
600
Typical entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
15 of 15 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Refer to schematics and manufacturers' specifications that show connections and provide instructions on how to locate problems.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can parse digital schematics and manufacturers' specifications to map connections and generate precise troubleshooting steps autonomously.
Maintain equipment service records.
AI: Fully automatable - Maintaining and analyzing equipment service records is fully automatable via databases, workflows, and AI-driven entry and summarization.
Confer with customers to determine the nature of malfunctions.
AI: Fully automatable - Conversational AI can reliably conduct customer interviews, collect symptom details, and triage malfunctions, enabling full automation of the initial diagnostic conversation.
Estimate costs of repairs based on parts and labor requirements.
AI: Fully automatable - AI systems with parts databases, labor-rate models, and rules can generate accurate repair cost estimates automatically given input specifications.
Inspect and test electrical systems and equipment to locate and diagnose malfunctions, using visual inspections, testing devices, and computer software.
AI: Partial - AI-powered diagnostic software and test equipment can locate many electrical faults, but comprehensive inspection and safe, context-sensitive diagnosis on complex transportation systems still rely on human technicians.
Reassemble and test equipment after repairs.
AI: Partial - Robots can reassemble and test equipment in standardized manufacturing contexts, but varied field repair reassembly and judgment calls after repair remain only partially automatable.
Splice wires with knives or cutting pliers, and solder connections to fixtures, outlets, and equipment.
AI: Partial - Automated soldering stations and wire-processing machines perform splicing and soldering well for repeatable tasks, but ad hoc hand splicing and field soldering with knives and pliers require human dexterity and decision-making.
Install new fuses, electrical cables, or power sources as required.
AI: Partial - Simple fuse replacement can be automated, but installing new cables or power sources—which involves routing, connectors, code compliance, and variable environments—remains only partially automatable.
Locate and remove or repair circuit defects such as blown fuses or malfunctioning transistors.
AI: Partial - AI can diagnose circuit faults from sensor data and schematics and provide step-by-step repair guidance, but it cannot physically remove or replace components.
Adjust, repair, or replace defective wiring and relays in ignition, lighting, air-conditioning, and safety control systems, using electrician's tools.
AI: Partial - AI can identify likely wiring and relay failures and generate procedural guidance or AR-assisted instructions, but it cannot perform the hands‑on wiring and tool work itself.
Measure, cut, and install frameworks and conduit to support and connect wiring, control panels, and junction boxes, using hand tools.
AI: Partial - Measuring, cutting, and installing frameworks and conduit require hands-on manipulation and adaptation to site conditions that AI can assist with but not fully execute.
Install electrical equipment such as air-conditioning, heating, or ignition systems and components such as generator brushes and commutators, using hand tools.
AI: Partial - Installing electrical systems and delicate components involves manual assembly and adjustments—AI can guide and optimize procedures but cannot reliably perform the physical installations in typical field settings.
Install fixtures, outlets, terminal boards, switches, and wall boxes, using hand tools.
AI: Partial - AI can produce instructions, checklists, and AR support for installing fixtures and outlets, but the physical installation with hand tools remains a human task.
Repair or rebuild equipment such as starters, generators, distributors, or door controls, using electrician's tools.
AI: Partial - Repairing or rebuilding starters, generators, and similar equipment requires fine mechanical manipulation and judgment that AI can assist with diagnostically but cannot carry out end-to-end.
Cut openings and drill holes for fixtures, outlet boxes, and fuse holders, using electric drills and routers.
AI: Partial - Cutting openings and drilling are physical tasks requiring manual tool control and on-site judgment; AI can provide guidance or control specialized robots in limited contexts but not generally perform the work itself.