You might have enjoyed seeing R2-D2, HAL 9000, and C-3PO up on the screen. Now, imagine bringing them all to life. Not just for fighting alongside, of course, but for helping perform complex tasks with relative ease. That’s what robotics engineers do, so let’s take a closer look at the robotics engineer’s job description.
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Robotics engineering is an excellent field that allows you to work on modern robotic systems. The job involves working on current, cutting-edge approaches to developing smart solutions to existing problems. After completing their education, robotics engineers work on the design, repair, maintenance, testing, and deployment of robots.
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The field offers many high-paying career options and abilities to grow and advance as professionals. A robotics engineer uses the principles of mechanical engineering, electronics, and computer science to build robots and robotic systems that find a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.
A robotics engineer’s job is always full of excitement, from developing robots for vacuuming floors to creating integrated systems for maneuvering rockets. Besides immense learning opportunities, robotics engineers are also in great demand as all industries move towards automation and artificial intelligence-based developments.
In this article, we’ll explore job duties, daily responsibilities, how you can grow in your career and land high-paying opportunities as a robotics engineer.
What Is a Robotics Engineer?
As the name suggests, robotics engineers are professionals who work on the conception, design, testing, analysis, and maintenance of robots and their frameworks. A robotics engineer helps build systems and devices that replicate human actions. For instance, it was a robotics engineer who helped create , an autonomous robot for cleaning floors.
Therefore, formal education in robotics engineering is essential for individuals interested in becoming robotics engineers.
Education and Training Requirements
Depending on your career aspirations, you can choose an associate’s degree in electronics and robotics, a bachelor’s in engineering, or a master’s degree in the field.
With an associate’s degree, you can repair and maintain robots, offer technical support, and help replace parts and components. A bachelor’s degree will introduce you to the circuit-level design of a robot operating system. You’ll work extensively on the design of robotics applications, software systems, and autonomous machines.
Robotics engineers can also enter the field with a mechanical, manufacturing, electrical, or computer science engineering degree.
Your course curriculum may include courses on microprocessors, computer-aided design and manufacturing, hydraulics and pneumatics, electronic circuits, and computer programming. Most jobs require you to be proficient in conducting research and up to date with the latest technological advancements in robotic systems.
The Responsibilities of a Robotics Engineer
The daily responsibilities of robotics engineers include designing prototypes, testing machines and mechanical frameworks, developing algorithms, and building control systems. Let’s take a closer look at the typical robotics engineer job description and responsibilities.
What Does a Robotics Engineer Do?
Industries that post robotics engineer jobs require professionals who can build robotic devices, control structures and applications, and use computer-aided modeling software to conceive, draft, and simulate a robot’s working.
The daily responsibilities may include:
- Perform design calculations to optimize the robotic system
- Conceive the design of new robots
- Analyze sensor data and draw suitable conclusions for improving the robot’s efficiency
- Build and create robots using the computer-aided manufacture of parts and assemblies
- Perform cost estimates and select the most cost-efficient method
- Apply principles of machine learning to improve process efficiency
- Previous work experience
- Proficiency in CAD/CAM software
- Knowledge of statistical quality control, efficiency, and productivity optimization
- Intermediate to advanced coding skills using a scripting language
- Ability to meet project deadlines
- Excellent soft skills
- Analytical thinking and ability to solve problems in stipulated time
Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Robotics Engineer?
Because of the job description and additional education requirements, robotics is often considered a difficult career to break into. However, if you love solving problems, exploring, learning, and creating things, you are sure to enjoy the field.
Before forging ahead with a career in the area, it is essential to determine whether working with automated mechanisms and robots is an appropriate field for you.
You’ll create innovative and breakthrough robots, analyze data, consult people, and help deliver solutions to industrial problems. If you want to establish that this is a suitable career option for you, take an now.
The Work Environment of Robotics Engineers
The daily life of a robotics engineer involves designing robotic systems, writing codes, approving cost estimates, and more. An engineer can work either in lab-based settings or manufacturing plants.
On-field robotics engineers help build, deploy, commission, and install automated mechanisms in the automotive, food packaging, supply chain, electronics, and healthcare industries. You will typically experience a forty-hour week. However, you may need to work overtime to meet deadlines.
On-field robotics engineers help build, deploy, commission, and install automated mechanisms in the automotive, food packaging, supply chain, electronics, and healthcare industries. You will typically experience a forty-hour week. However, you may need to work overtime to meet deadlines.
Employment Outlook
Career portals offer excellent job openings for graduate engineers who intend to join this field.
The growing demand for drone surveillance systems, self-driving cars, and aerospace travel will further fuel the need for robotics engineers.
The Robotics Engineer’s Salary Range
Various job sites report different salaries for professionals who work with robots and their technology.
According to, a robotics engineer earns an average of around $84,805 per year, while mentions the mean annual wages of a robotics engineer to be $90,186. The latest estimates on reports an average robotics engineer salary of $99,040.
As you further your education and gain knowledge, skills, experience, you can also stake your claim to jobs paying over $130,000 annually.
FAQs
What Are the Job Duties of a Robotics Engineer?
The daily job duties of robotics engineers include performing design calculations, developing algorithms, writing codes, building control systems, and testing equipment for their robots. They also estimate the cost, identify the most efficient and cost-effective design, and assist in producing and installing robotic systems.
Is Robotics Engineering a Good Job?
Robotics engineering is a high-paying field with exciting growth prospects. You get to work on the latest tools and cutting-edge hardware and software technologies.
Are Robotics Engineers in Demand?
Robotics engineers are becoming increasingly in demand as more industries are migrating towards automation and smart solutions. There is also a considerable requirement for engineers to develop drones, self-driving cars, autonomous systems, and personal robots.
How Much Do Robotics Engineers Make at NASA?
The robotics engineer salary at NASA is about higher than the national average for all Engineers in this field.
What Skills Do You Need to Be a Robotics Engineer?
Besides formal education, a professional in this field will also require the following skills:
- Previous work experience
- Proficiency in CAD/CAM software
- Knowledge of statistical quality control, efficiency, and productivity optimization
- Ability to meet project deadlines
- Excellent soft skills
- Analytical thinking and ability to solve problems in stipulated time