← UK Occupations
🇬🇧 UKSOC 2129· Science, Research, Engineering and Technology Professionals

Engineering professionals n.e.c.

Job holders in this unit group perform a variety of professional engineering functions not elsewhere classified in minor group 212: Engineering professionals.

Acoustician (professional)Food technologistMetallurgistScientific consultantTechnical engineerTechnologistTraffic engineer
£47,985
median salary
£38,739 – £56,972
79,503
currently employed
88,335
projected 2035
Strong growth
7 tasks scored7 AI Assists

Task Bundle Breakdown

How AI interacts with this occupation's task bundle

100%
0%
AI automates
100%
AI assists
0%
Human-led

Task-by-Task Breakdown

Every task scored individually — sorted highest to lowest AI exposure

67

prepares sketches, drawings and specifications showing materials to be used, construction and finishing methods and other details

AI Assists

AI-assisted CAD tools such as Autodesk AutoCAD with AI features and GitHub Copilot for scripting can accelerate drafting and specification writing, reducing manual effort significantly.

56

researches into problem areas to advance basic knowledge, evaluate new theories and techniques and to solve specific problems

AI Assists

AI tools like Semantic Scholar, Elicit, and Consensus can accelerate literature review and hypothesis generation, but human expertise is essential for directing novel research and interpreting results.

56

designs new systems and equipment with regard to cost, market requirements and feasibility of manufacture

AI Assists

Generative design tools in Autodesk Fusion 360 and Ansys can rapidly explore design alternatives and run feasibility simulations, though engineers must define constraints and make final judgements.

56

devises and implements control systems to monitor operational efficiency and performance of system and materials

AI Assists

AI-powered monitoring platforms like IBM Maximo and PTC ThingWorx can automate anomaly detection and performance tracking, but engineers must interpret outputs and design the control logic.

56

examines and advises on patent applications

AI Assists

LLMs like Claude or ChatGPT can assist in summarising prior art, drafting patent claim language, and identifying conflicts, but qualified engineers and patent attorneys must make legal and technical judgements.

44

establishes principles and techniques to improve the quality, durability and performance of materials such as textiles, glass, rubber, plastics, ceramics, metals and alloys

AI Assists

AI-driven materials discovery platforms like Citrine Informatics or DeepMind's GNoME can suggest material compositions and predict properties, but experimental validation and domain expertise remain critical.

44

provides technical consultancy services

AI Assists

AI tools can help prepare technical reports, analyse data, and research comparable case studies, but high-value consultancy depends on professional credibility, contextual judgement, and client relationships.

ROI Calculator

Engineering professionals n.e.c.

15hrs
saved per week
720hrs
per year ≈ 19.2 weeks
£19,194
salary-equivalent capacity freed per year

This is not a pay rise — it's 720 hours of productive capacity that AI could return to you, valued at your current rate.

£47,985
value at risk — 100% of role exposed to AI

The portion of your current salary tied to tasks AI can automate or augment. Not a prediction of job loss — a signal of where your role is changing fastest.

How is this calculated?▾

Task weights — each task is weighted by its O*NET frequency rating. Where frequency data is absent, equal weighting is applied.

AI time reduction — tasks scored as "AI Automates" assume 80% time saving; "AI Assists" assumes 40%; "Human-Led" assumes 5%.

Salary equivalent — annual hours saved × (salary ÷ 1,800 working hours/year).

Value at risk — salary × share of role time in AI-automate or AI-assist tasks.

Figures are indicative estimates for planning purposes, not guarantees of productivity gain or job loss risk.