Industrial Engineers
The short answer
This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 837 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about half of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 92% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Collect data through direct observation of work activities or witnessing the conduct of tests.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Study product characteristics or customer requirements to determine validation objectives and standards.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Conduct interviews or surveys of users or customers to collect information on topics, such as requirements, needs, fatigue, ergonomics, or interfaces.
AI could do much of this on its own
Analyze validation test data to determine whether systems or processes have met validation criteria or to identify root causes of production problems.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Advocate for end users in collaboration with other professionals, including engineers, designers, managers, or customers.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Maintain validation test equipment.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Integrate human factors requirements into operational hardware.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Train users in task techniques or ergonomic principles.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Supervise technicians, technologists, analysts, administrative staff, or other engineers.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Draw samples of raw materials, intermediate products, or finished products for validation testing.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Very similar workslightly less pay152 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$104,134 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Mathematics
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Building and Construction
- Public Safety and Security
- Chemistry
- Law and Government
- Customer and Personal Service
Chemical Engineers
Very similar work+26% pay28 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 26% more—$132,675 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Chemistry
- Science
- Physics
- Operations Analysis
- Mathematics
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Very similar work+16% pay140 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 16% more—$122,513 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Mathematics
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Computers and Electronics
- Telecommunications
Materials Engineers
Very similar work+23% pay37 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 23% more—$129,426 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Engineering and Technology
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Production and Processing
New skills to build
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Science
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Very similar work+1% pay60 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 1% more—$106,916 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Biology
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Computers and Electronics
- Physics
- Science
Mechanical Engineers
Very similar workslightly less pay666 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$105,303 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Physics
- Chemistry
Electrical Engineers
Very similar work+16% pay4,250 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 16% more—$122,345 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Mathematics
New skills to build
- Computers and Electronics
Engineers, All Other
Similar work+15% pay1,540 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 15% more—$120,894 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
New skills to build
- Physics
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Similar workslightly less pay1,913 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$98,402 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Expression
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Building and Construction
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
Materials Scientists
Similar work+28% pay40 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 28% more—$135,427 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Engineering and Technology
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Science
- Mathematics
Industrial Production Managers
Similar work+26% pay457 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 26% more—$132,662 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Production and Processing
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Engineering and Technology
New skills to build
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Chemistry
- Management of Financial Resources
- Administration and Management
- Management of Personnel Resources
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Somewhat similar work+69% pay1,869 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 69% more—$178,657 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Engineering and Technology
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Chemistry
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Somewhat similar work+77% pay113 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 77% more—$187,084 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a master's degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Engineering and Technology
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Mathematics
New skills to build
- Computers and Electronics
- Programming
- Telecommunications
Computer Systems Analysts
Somewhat similar work+7% pay2,609 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 7% more—$112,676 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Computers and Electronics
- Programming
- Medicine and Dentistry
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Somewhat similar work+18% pay775 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 18% more—$124,633 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
New skills to build
- Programming
- Computers and Electronics
Data Scientists
Somewhat similar work+27% pay2,237 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 27% more—$134,111 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- English Language
New skills to build
- Computers and Electronics
- Programming
Software Developers
Somewhat similar work+62% pay6,726 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 62% more—$170,831 vs your $105,509 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Written Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Computers and Electronics
- Programming