Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

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.

The occupation of "Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians" has an automation risk of approximately 50.8%, reflecting a moderate level of susceptibility to automation based on its core responsibilities and required skills. The base risk for this job is calculated at 51.7%, indicating that about half of the tasks involved could feasibly be automated with current or near-future technology. This risk assessment suggests that while automation may replace some functions within this occupation, a significant portion of the job will likely continue to require human oversight and input, especially where judgment, adaptability, or hands-on skills are essential. The tasks most susceptible to automation in this field primarily involve repetitive, structured, and data-driven activities. For example, "test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications" is highly automatable, as machines and sensors can efficiently carry out product testing and quality checks. Similarly, "compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain the quality and reliability of products" can be handled by advanced data analytics tools that process and interpret large volumes of manufacturing data. Additionally, "study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency" can be increasingly automated using software that analyzes workflow efficiencies and suggests optimizations, reducing the need for manual observation and calculation. Conversely, some key tasks within this occupation remain resistant to automation due to their demand for hands-on expertise, nuanced decision-making, or adaptability. Tasks such as "set up and operate production equipment in accordance with current good manufacturing practices and standard operating procedures" rely on practical experience and real-time problem-solving, making them less suitable for full automation. Further, "select material quantities or processing methods needed to achieve efficient production," and "select cleaning materials, tools, or equipment" are tasks that often require context-specific judgment and adaptation to changing conditions on the factory floor. The bottleneck skills for this occupation, particularly "originality" at levels 3.3% and 3.6%, indicate that creative problem-solving and the generation of novel solutions are still important aspects of the job that current automation technologies cannot easily replicate. As such, these human-centric competencies help protect certain aspects of the role from being automated in the foreseeable future.