industrial research and development
The set of activities that companies carry out to do industrial innovation and introduce new engineering products and services or new industrial production processes.
industrial research and development — the set of activities that companies carry out to do industrial innovation and introduce new engineering products and services or new industrial production processes. McKinsey's Skill Change Index places it in the declining band (SCI 50.68/100) — a skill likely to fall in demand as AI and automation cover more of its ground by 2030. ESCO classifies it as a cross-sector (useful across many industries) skill within knowledge. It is currently listed by 5 occupations in our catalogue, including electronics engineer, pharmaceutical engineer, product development manager, and research and development manager.
Occupations that require industrial research and development
Showing top 5 of 5 occupations · ranked by India employment volume, then AI-durability.
Frequently asked questions
What is industrial research and development?
The set of activities that companies carry out to do industrial innovation and introduce new engineering products and services or new industrial production processes.
What category of skill is industrial research and development?
ESCO classifies industrial research and development under the knowledge category, specifically in the engineering, manufacturing and construction not elsewhere classified subcategory.
Is industrial research and development an AI-durable skill?
McKinsey's Skill Change Index places it in the declining band (SCI 50.68/100) — a skill likely to fall in demand as AI and automation cover more of its ground by 2030. Prioritise this skill only when it directly enables paid work today — plan for AI to absorb more of it every year.
Which jobs require industrial research and development?
In our catalogue, 5 occupations list industrial research and development as a required or important skill. The top occupations by employment volume include electronics engineer, pharmaceutical engineer, product development manager, research and development manager, research engineer.
How transferable is industrial research and development between industries?
ESCO tags industrial research and development as a cross-sector (useful across many industries) skill — a signal of how portable it is when you change field.
Is industrial research and development the same as process research and development?
Yes — industrial research and development is also known as process research and development, product research and development, or R&D. They refer to the same underlying capability in the ESCO taxonomy.
How can I learn industrial research and development?
The most reliable path is to pick a job or project that demands industrial research and development and learn through delivery. Complement that with role-specific roadmaps and short courses. Explore the occupations below to see where this skill is used in practice.