Operate, test, maintain, or calibrate unmanned, automated, servo-mechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment at worksites, such as oil rigs, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.
U.S. Workers
14,680
Median Salary
$70,760
10-Year Growth
+1.1%
Annual Openings
1,300
Typical entry: Associate's degree
12 of 12 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.
Test performance of electromechanical assemblies, using test instruments such as oscilloscopes, electronic voltmeters, or bridges.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated test benches and instrument control software enable AI systems to execute and interpret performance tests with oscilloscopes, voltmeters, and bridges in production and lab settings.
Read blueprints, schematics, diagrams, or technical orders to determine methods and sequences of assembly.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and diagrams to determine assembly methods and sequences using advances in document understanding and CAD/model analysis.
Prepare written documentation of electromechanical test results.
AI: Fully automatable - AI tools can ingest test data and automatically generate clear, formatted electromechanical test reports with minimal human oversight by 2025.
Inspect parts for surface defects.
AI: Fully automatable - Computer-vision inspection systems can reliably detect surface defects at scale in many manufacturing contexts, enabling full automation of visual part inspection.
Verify part dimensions or clearances to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
AI: Fully automatable - By 2025, automated CMMs and machine-vision metrology systems can fully verify part dimensions and clearances against specifications in most production contexts without human intervention.
Operate metalworking machines to fabricate housings, jigs, fittings, or fixtures.
AI: Fully automatable - CNC and automated metalworking systems with CAM/AI programming can fully operate to fabricate standard housings, jigs, fittings, and fixtures in many production settings by 2025.
Develop, test, or program new robots.
AI: Partial - Developing, testing, and programming new robots requires creative engineering judgment and complex systems integration that AI can assist with but cannot fully replace by 2025.
Install electrical or electronic parts and hardware in housings or assemblies, using soldering equipment and hand tools.
AI: Partial - Robotic soldering and automated assembly can handle many repetitive installations, but the varied, fine-motor tasks of installing parts and hardware in diverse housings still often require human dexterity and judgement.
Repair, rework, or calibrate hydraulic or pneumatic assemblies or systems to meet operational specifications or tolerances.
AI: Partial - Repairing, reworking, and calibrating hydraulic and pneumatic systems involve hands‑on diagnostics and manual adjustments that are only partially automatable in 2025.
Align, fit, or assemble component parts, using hand or power tools, fixtures, templates, or microscopes.
AI: Partial - Fine alignment, adaptive fitting, and assembly tasks that require dexterous manipulation and ad‑hoc adjustments remain only partially automatable by robots as of 2025.
Operate, test, or maintain robotic equipment used for green production applications, such as waste-to-energy conversion systems, minimization of material waste, or replacement of human operators in dangerous work environments.
AI: Partial - Operation and testing of robotic equipment can be highly automated, but on‑site maintenance, exception handling, and complex troubleshooting for green production systems still require human technicians in many cases by 2025.
Train others to install, use, or maintain robots.
AI: Partial - AI can create and deliver substantial training content and simulations, but live hands‑on coaching and assessment for installing and maintaining robots remain partly human‑dependent in 2025.