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Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists

SOC 17-2072.01Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full career arc of RFID Device Specialists engaged in designing, integrating, programming, testing, and strategically governing RFID systems across supply chain, manufacturing, retail, and enterprise technology environments.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. RFID tag types and frequency ranges — identify and differentiate under direct supervision when reviewing product specifications for a new deployment project.
  2. Operational requirements documentation — gather and organize following established templates when supporting senior engineers on system scoping assignments.
  3. RFID reader hardware and antennas — install and cable according to provided schematics on a supervised warehouse or retail site implementation.
  4. Program testing software — execute predefined test scripts and log results under guidance during initial system validation on a controlled test bench.
  5. Site survey checklists — complete and submit following standardized protocols when assisting with physical environment assessments for RFID deployments.
  6. Basic systems analysis tasks — perform with close oversight by reviewing process flow diagrams to identify candidate RFID integration points.
  7. RFID middleware configuration interfaces — navigate and apply documented settings under direction when supporting development environment setup.
  8. Technical reports and test logs — draft using structured formats to document findings from supervised acceptance testing activities.
  9. Industry standards and compliance references — read and summarize relevant sections under direction to support design decision reviews.
  10. Tag placement guidelines — apply using vendor-provided recommendations when assisting with pilot installations on a supervised job site.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. RFID system configurations — select and adjust with reduced oversight to match identified operational requirements across standard supply chain or asset-tracking environments.
  2. Tag and reader integration — implement and troubleshoot within familiar deployment contexts such as distribution centers or manufacturing floors using established integration patterns.
  3. RFID software modules — program and modify using object-oriented or scripting languages to meet functional specifications on routine project deliverables.
  4. Acceptance testing procedures — execute independently and document outcomes when validating newly installed or updated RFID systems against client-defined criteria.
  5. Site analysis findings — analyze and translate into system configuration recommendations when assessing on-site obstacles and infrastructure constraints for mid-scale deployments.
  6. Enterprise application integration software — configure to connect RFID data streams with existing inventory or ERP systems in familiar enterprise environments.
  7. Analytical and scientific software tools — apply to interpret read-rate performance data and identify common sources of interference or signal degradation.
  8. Cross-functional stakeholder communications — conduct clearly when presenting project status updates and technical findings to operations and IT teams.
  9. CAD software — use to produce antenna placement and infrastructure layout diagrams supporting formal design documentation for client review.
  10. Active learning practices — apply by evaluating emerging RFID standards and incorporating relevant updates into ongoing project work with moderate guidance.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. End-to-end RFID system architecture — design and validate autonomously by integrating tags, readers, middleware, and back-end software to meet complex operational requirements across diverse industry verticals.
  2. Non-routine technical challenges — diagnose and resolve independently by applying deductive and inductive reasoning when RFID performance deviates from expected read rates in challenging RF environments.
  3. Systems analysis and process impact assessments — lead and deliver for large-scale deployments by mapping RFID integration points across multi-step operational workflows.
  4. Custom RFID software development — author and test using development environment and object-oriented tools to produce reliable, maintainable solutions aligned to enterprise architecture standards.
  5. Tag selection and placement optimization — determine authoritatively by evaluating material composition, environmental factors, and read accuracy requirements across the full project scope.
  6. Multi-system integration strategies — define and implement to connect RFID platforms with GIS, ERP, and analytics applications in complex enterprise technology landscapes.
  7. Formal acceptance testing protocols — develop and execute for newly installed systems, ensuring all performance benchmarks and regulatory compliance requirements are fully verified.
  8. Technical proposals and design specifications — author comprehensively to communicate RFID solution architectures to engineering peers, procurement teams, and executive stakeholders.
  9. Telecommunications and RF propagation principles — apply to guide antenna selection and network topology decisions that optimize system reliability in dense or obstructed environments.
  10. Continuous improvement recommendations — formulate and advocate by monitoring deployed system performance metrics and identifying actionable enhancements to operational processes.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational RFID technology strategy — define and champion at executive level by evaluating emerging standards, market trends, and enterprise capability gaps to set multi-year investment direction.
  2. Enterprise-scale RFID integration frameworks — architect and govern across business units, ensuring interoperability between RFID platforms, supply chain systems, and data analytics infrastructure.
  3. Engineering team capability — develop by designing mentorship programs, competency standards, and structured knowledge-transfer initiatives for RFID specialists across career levels.
  4. Innovation pipelines — lead by directing applied research into next-generation RFID technologies and piloting proof-of-concept deployments that inform organization-wide adoption decisions.
  5. Complex organizational problem-solving — drive by applying advanced systems analysis to resolve high-stakes RFID implementation failures with enterprise-wide operational and financial impact.
  6. Cross-enterprise stakeholder alignment — facilitate by translating technical RFID architecture decisions into strategic business value narratives for C-suite, operations, and client leadership audiences.
  7. Industry standards and best practices — shape by contributing expert guidance to standards bodies, industry consortia, and regulatory working groups affecting RFID technology deployment.
  8. Program governance and quality assurance — establish by creating organizational policies, testing standards, and risk management frameworks that ensure reliable RFID system delivery at scale.
  9. Customer and partner relationships — cultivate at senior level by advising clients on RFID solution roadmaps and identifying opportunities to expand service scope in complex enterprise engagements.
  10. Organizational knowledge management — institutionalize by directing the creation of technical knowledge bases, design pattern libraries, and lessons-learned repositories that elevate team-wide RFID engineering excellence.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Antenna Engineer · Cardiac Device Specialist · Deployment Engineer · Device Test Engineer · DSP Engineer (Digital Signal Processing Engineer) · Electrical Engineer · Electro Magnetic Compatibility Test Engineer · Engineer · Microwave Engineer · RF Design Engineer (Radio Frequency Design Engineer) · RF Engineer (Radio Frequency Engineer) · RF Systems Engineer (Radio Frequency Systems Engineer)
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Critical ThinkingSpeakingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisWritingActive LearningMonitoringCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessInstructingTime Management
Knowledge domains
Computers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyEnglish LanguageDesignCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingMathematicsAdministration and ManagementTelecommunicationsProduction and ProcessingSales and Marketing
Abilities
Deductive ReasoningOral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityInductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionInformation OrderingOral ExpressionNear VisionSpeech ClaritySpeech Recognition
Work styles
Attention to DetailInnovationDependabilityIntellectual CuriosityAchievement OrientationCautiousness
Technology
Program testing softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareDevelopment environment softwareObject or component oriented development softwareOperating system softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareDevice drivers or system softwareAdministration softwareGeographic information systemEnterprise application integration software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Identify operational requirements for new systems to inform selection of technological solutions.
  2. Integrate tags, readers, or software in radio frequency identification device (RFID) designs.
  3. Perform systems analysis or programming of radio frequency identification device (RFID) technology.
  4. Test radio frequency identification device (RFID) software to ensure proper functioning.
  5. Select appropriate radio frequency identification device (RFID) tags and determine placement locations.
  6. Perform site analyses to determine system configurations, processes to be impacted, or on-site obstacles to technology implementation.
  7. Perform acceptance testing on newly installed or updated systems.
  8. Determine means of integrating radio frequency identification device (RFID) into other applications.
CIP education codes
14.100114.100414.1099

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.