Sales Engineers
Every task in this role, whether it passes the census's structural hand-over screen, which models pass it, and why. It is a screen, not a claim about what AI can do: a task can pass and still be beyond the systems of the day. The stricter and looser rules re-vote every task, and small differences between roles are noise.
Passes the screen · 1 of 25 tasks
Document account activities, generate reports, and keep records of business transactions with customers and suppliers.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 5.9% of the role's time · $426M · passed by Claude Sonnet, GPT-6 Sol · the models disagreed
Does not pass
Develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 9.5% of the role's time · $683M
Keep informed on industry news and trends, products, services, competitors, relevant information about legacy, existing, and emerging technologies, and the latest product-line developments.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 8.3% of the role's time · $599M
Collaborate with sales teams to understand customer requirements, to promote the sale of company products, and to provide sales support.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 7.8% of the role's time · $561M
Confer with customers and engineers to assess equipment needs and to determine system requirements.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 6.7% of the role's time · $483M
Create sales or service contracts for products or services.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 6.1% of the role's time · $439M
Sell products requiring extensive technical expertise and support for installation and use, such as material handling equipment, numerical-control machinery, or computer systems.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 4.7% of the role's time · $339M
Plan and modify product configurations to meet customer needs.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 4.7% of the role's time · $336M
Identify resale opportunities and support them to achieve sales plans.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 4.6% of the role's time · $335M
Research and identify potential customers for products or services.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 4.6% of the role's time · $334M
Provide technical and non-technical support and services to clients or other staff members regarding the use, operation, and maintenance of equipment.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 4.3% of the role's time · $312M
Secure and renew orders and arrange delivery.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked · 4.3% of the role's time · $310M · passed by Claude Sonnet · the models disagreed
Recommend improved materials or machinery to customers, documenting how such changes will lower costs or increase production.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 4.0% of the role's time · $287M
Visit prospective buyers at commercial, industrial, or other establishments to show samples or catalogs, and to inform them about product pricing, availability, and advantages.
physical work, outside the screen · 3.6% of the role's time · $262M
Prepare and deliver technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 3.0% of the role's time · $215M · waiting on a check
Maintain sales forecasting reports.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked · 2.9% of the role's time · $212M
Provide information needed for the development of custom-made machinery.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 2.6% of the role's time · $191M
Write technical documentation for products.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 2.4% of the role's time · $175M · waiting on a check
Arrange for demonstrations or trial installations of equipment.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 2.2% of the role's time · $160M
Train team members in the customer applications of technologies.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 1.7% of the role's time · $123M
Diagnose problems with installed equipment.
physical work, outside the screen · 1.6% of the role's time · $114M
Develop sales plans to introduce products in new markets.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 1.5% of the role's time · $105M
Attend company training seminars to become familiar with product lines.
physical work, outside the screen · 1.3% of the role's time · $91.5M
Attend trade shows and seminars to promote products or to learn about industry developments.
physical work, outside the screen · 1.2% of the role's time · $85.7M
Report to supervisors about prospective firms' credit ratings.
reason given most often: a failure is too expensive · 0.6% of the role's time · $41.3M · passed by Claude Sonnet · the models disagreed
Where this role works
| Industry | Workers | Wage bill | Passes the screen | All three pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 11,610 | $1.6B | $93.2M | $0 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | 5130 | $638M | $37.6M | $0 |
| Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services | 3340 | $546M | $32.2M | $0 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | 3350 | $532M | $31.4M | $0 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 3330 | $465M | $27.4M | $0 |
| Software Publishers | 2860 | $434M | $25.6M | $0 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 2970 | $306M | $18.0M | $0 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 1580 | $256M | $15.1M | $0 |
| Telecommunications | 2190 | $255M | $15.0M | $0 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 2070 | $204M | $12.0M | $0 |