# Robotics Technicians

> Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.

- **SOC code:** 17-3024.01
- **Canonical URL:** https://singulariki.com/roles/role-17-3024-01
- **Also known as:** Automation Technician, Electrical and Instrumentation Technician (E and I Technician), Instrument Specialist, Process Control Technician, Instrument Technician, Instrument and Automation Technician, Instrumentation and Controls Technician, Instrumentation and Process Controls Technician
- **Frame:** "AI exposure" means task overlap (how codifiable the work is), not jobs lost or a forecast. Every figure below is traced to a named public dataset.

## What this work is

**Core tasks** (O*NET):
- Make repairs to robots or peripheral equipment, such as replacement of defective circuit boards, sensors, controllers, encoders, or servomotors.
- Troubleshoot robotic systems, using knowledge of microprocessors, programmable controllers, electronics, circuit analysis, mechanics, sensor or feedback systems, hydraulics, or pneumatics.
- Maintain service records of robotic equipment or automated production systems.
- Install, program, or repair programmable controllers, robot controllers, end-of-arm tools, or conveyors.
- Modify computer-controlled robot movements.
- Perform preventive or corrective maintenance on robotic systems or components.
- Align, fit, or assemble components, using hand tools, power tools, fixtures, templates, or microscopes.
- Attach wires between controllers.
- Evaluate the efficiency and reliability of industrial robotic systems, reprogramming or calibrating to achieve maximum quantity and quality.
- Program complex robotic systems, such as vision systems.
- Develop robotic path motions to maximize efficiency, safety, and quality.
- Test performance of robotic assemblies, using instruments such as oscilloscopes, electronic voltmeters, or bridges.

## Skills, tools, capabilities

**Knowledge, skills & abilities** (O*NET, highest importance first):
- Computers and Electronics _(knowledge)_
- Engineering and Technology _(knowledge)_
- Deductive Reasoning _(ability)_
- Troubleshooting _(transferable_skill)_
- Repairing _(transferable_skill)_
- Oral Comprehension _(ability)_
- Written Comprehension _(ability)_
- Inductive Reasoning _(ability)_
- Near Vision _(ability)_
- Reading Comprehension _(essential_skill)_
- Critical Thinking _(essential_skill)_
- Equipment Maintenance _(transferable_skill)_

**Skills in demand:**
- Deductive Reasoning _(Common Skill)_
- Inductive Reasoning _(Common Skill)_
- Reading Comprehension _(Common Skill)_
- Information Ordering _(Specialized Skill)_
- Finger Dexterity _(Common Skill)_
- Equipment Maintenance _(Specialized Skill)_
- Critical Thinking _(Common Skill)_
- Visualization _(Specialized Skill)_
- Complex Problem Solving _(Common Skill)_
- Active Listening _(Common Skill)_
- Microsoft Word _(Common Skill)_
- Microsoft PowerPoint _(Common Skill)_

**Tools & technology:**
- Microsoft Excel _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Office software _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Outlook _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft PowerPoint _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Word _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Autodesk AutoCAD _(hot technology)_
- Bentley MicroStation _(hot technology)_
- C _(hot technology)_
- C# _(hot technology)_
- C++ _(hot technology)_
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks _(hot technology)_
- Git _(hot technology)_

## AI exposure & outlook

- **AI task-overlap index:** 46th percentile (Moderate) across all occupations — composite of current-era exposure studies (ai-exposure-index-v1).
- **Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.):** 40th percentile (Moderate) — source: felten_aioe.
- **LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou):** 44th percentile (Moderate) — source: eloundou_gamma.
- **AI assistant applicability (Microsoft):** 58th percentile (Moderate) — source: microsoft_applicability.
- **Frey–Osborne (2013, historical computerization estimate):** 65th percentile — kept separate from current-era studies.
- **Remote-capable (Dingel–Neiman):** no — task structure, not who actually works remote.
- **Projected employment (BLS 2024–34):** 1.1% growth (About average); 1.3k annual openings; 15k → 15.1k jobs.
- **Pay & employment (BLS OEWS, May 2024):** median $70,760; 14,680 employed.

## How people actually use AI here

Anthropic Economic Index — measured AI conversations mapped to this occupation's tasks:

- **Automation vs augmentation:** 43% automation, 42% augmentation (usage-weighted).
- **Autonomy median:** 3.0 (higher = AI acts more independently).
- **Dominant collaboration mode:** directive.

**Tasks most handed to AI here:**
- Operate robots to perform customized tasks, such as environmental cleanup or explosive detection operations. _(1.4% of measured AI use; directive)_
- Assist engineers in the design, configuration, or application of robotic systems. _(1.2% of measured AI use; learning)_

**Example prompts (honest phrasings of the tasks above — starting points, not endorsed instructions):**
- Help me operate robots to perform customized tasks, such as environmental cleanup or explosive detection operations.
- Help me assist engineers in the design, configuration, or application of robotic systems.

## Sources

- **O*NET** (30.3) — U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development. https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html
- **BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** (May 2024) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- **BLS Employment Projections** (2024–2034) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- **Anthropic Economic Index** (v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27)) — Anthropic. https://www.anthropic.com/economic-index
- **Microsoft “Working with AI”** (working-with-ai) — Microsoft Research. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/
- **“GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.)** (arXiv 2303.10130) — OpenAI / academic. https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130
- **AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE)** (Felten, Raj & Seamans) — academic. https://github.com/AIOE-Data/AIOE
- **Frey & Osborne (2013)** (frey-osborne-automation) — academic. https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/publications/the-future-of-employment/
- **Dingel & Neiman (2020)** (dingel-neiman-workathome) — academic. https://github.com/jdingel/DingelNeiman-workathome

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_Generated from Singulariki's joined dataset; data snapshot 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-17-3024-01_