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Census · Sales · occupation code 41-9031

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