Robotics engineering is a constantly evolving, in-demand field that offers excellent career opportunities. With industries racing towards automation and intelligent machines, we can expect a steep rise in demand for engineers in this industry in the coming years.
If you’re looking to become a robotics engineer, it’s important to get familiar with the education requirements, robotics engineer job duties, the career path, and the expected salary.
According to Payscale.com, the average robotics engineer salary is about $84,805 per year, while careerexplorer.com data shows that robotics engineers make about $99,040 annually.
Let’s take a closer look at the field to help you understand essential aspects of becoming a robotics engineer.
Table of Contents
Robotics Engineer – Job Description and Responsibilities
Robotics engineering does not restrict itself to one domain. For instance, mechanical engineers can work on a robotic system for arc welding, while electrical engineers may need robots to tackle risky, high-voltage installations.
Similarly, the algorithms that influence decision-making or code for the robot’s central processing unit require computer programming and software development skills.
Lastly, robots rely on relay systems to transmit data and often form a loop that sends feedback signals to the central microprocessor. The complex wiring, sensors, and IoT-based system require a fundamental understanding of electrical engineering and power electronics.
If you wish to make a successful career in robotics, your job responsibilities will involve core knowledge of at least one of these disciplines. However, you would need a thorough understanding of other aspects too. For instance, a mechanical engineer must also know C/C++/Python/MATLAB or other programming languages to fulfill all their job responsibilities.
What are the Daily Job Duties for Robotics Engineers?
Some of the daily responsibilities of a robot engineer include:
- Conception and Analysis: Determining the appropriate functionality, connectivity systems, and running analytical tools.
- Design and Manufacturing: Using computer-aided design tools to sketch the parts and assembly for the robotic system and ensure the plan’s feasibility. Robotics engineers also work on shop floors to manage and supervise manufacturing operations.
- Maintenance: Robotics technicians perform preventive and corrective maintenance activities. They use diagnostic tools to detect flaws, repair and replace worn-out parts, and ensure that the robots are up and running.
- Coding/Programming: Robotics is different from computer engineering because robots have no fixed assembly language. Some proprietary robots may even have their unique language. Coding involves writing algorithms for the system to process control and user interface design.
- Testing and Simulation: Robotics engineers perform extensive simulation and physical testing on prototypes to ensure no glitches.
A robot engineer must also possess strong oral and written communication skills. Your daily duties often require you to interact with clients and explain the technical aspects and functioning of the robotic devices.
Most firms require you to complete a bachelor’s degree in robotics-related disciplines like mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or mathematics. Along with your degree, you must have knowledge and hands-on experience in the following disciplines:
- Computer-Aided Design/ Manufacturing
- Scripting Tools
- IoT
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning(ML)
- Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems
- Automation
How to Become a Robotics Engineer – Education Requirements
Depending upon your career aspirations, you can enroll in any of the following degree programs to make a career in robotics. You could also consider programs approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
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ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE
BACHELOR'S DEGREE
MASTER'S DEGREE
Associate’s Degree
This entry-level program emphasizes practical experience and hands-on learning and enables you to function as a robotic and mechatronics technician. Suppose you do not have any prior experience in the industry.
In that case, an associate’s degree offers the shortest route for gaining valuable experience in designing and maintaining robots. The New England Institute of Technology provides a comprehensive Associate of Science in Electronics, Robotics, and Drones Technology. Within 18 months, you can complete this program and seek entry-level positions as a robotics technician.
Bachelor’s Degree
Most engineers in the field have a bachelor’s degree. While some colleges offer a bachelor of science or technology in robotics, most schools offer this course as a minor concentration. You can opt for a bachelor’s in mechanical, electrical, computer science, or industrial engineering and add robotics as your minor.
Master’s Degree
A Master’s in robotics is an advanced degree that allows you to take up research and development roles. With a master’s degree, you can improve existing robots, create concepts for new systems, and work on the materials, electronics, and a broad range of aspects concerning the development of new robots.
Best Courses to Prepare You for a Career in Robotics
If you’re passionate about getting into the right career in the robotics field, you should start exploring early. You can take advanced math and science courses like algebra, trigonometry, physics, and calculus and participate in robotics competitions. You can also start a robotics club at your school or college to discuss and build designs with your peers.
Can You Become a Robotics Engineer Without a Degree?
A formal degree program is crucial for helping you understand the fundamentals and include intensive lab work and practical training hours that help gain hands-on learning.
What are the Top Skills for Becoming a Robotics Engineer?
Robotics is a multidisciplinary field. While designing robots, you need a blend of mechanical, computer, and electronics engineering. From conceptualizing the robot in its design stage to creating circuit-level hardware components, engineers require several skills.
Some of the skills that can help you achieve higher salaries and growth in your careers are:
- Machine Learning/AI: With industries delivering autonomous driving systems and decision-making robots, AI/ML is one of the most in-demand skills in the field.
- Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing: Gain experience with 3D design tools. Additionally, acquaint yourself with the computer-aided manufacture of robots, as most industries rely on automated manufacturing techniques.
- Problem Solving and Algorithm Building: Robotics engineers solve problems. The hours spent working in labs give rise to intelligent solutions. You must understand the problem statement, create a solution, and use programming techniques to achieve automated results.
- Communication: Engineers need to communicate daily with their team, explain their ideas, and adhere to the plan. If you’re working in sales, oral and written skills will help you communicate the technical aspects of robotic systems to people with no technical background.
Robotics Engineer -Salary and Job Outlook
Let’s explore the salary trends for robotics engineers according to their job location, years of experience, and salaries in associated profiles.
Location-Wise Salary
According to Careerexplorer.com, the median salary of a robot engineer is $99,040 per year. The following states offer the highest annual average wages:
- trict of Columbia: $141,320
- Maryland: $128,230
- Virginia: $122,940
- Alaska: $117,520
- New Jersey: $116,570
- Alabama: $116,490
- New Mexico: $114,000
- Idaho: $111,050
- Colorado: $111,020
- Texas: $109,110
Rhode Island offers an annual average salary of about $92,090.
Experience-Wise Salary
According to the data on Payscale.com, an entry-level engineer in this field can earn an average compensation of about $77,427, including tips, bonuses, and overtime pay. With 1 to 4 years of experience, robotics engineers make about $81,767 annually.
Mid-level engineers with 5-9 years of work experience have a median salary of $96,191. You can obtain wages over $100,555 after working 10-19 years in the field.
Job-Profile Wise Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the annual median salaries of robotics engineers in allied careers:
Conclusion
Robotics engineering has evolved from being science fiction to actual science. Robots and advanced systems are helping us perform a wide range of tasks, from vacuuming floors to controlling maneuvering satellites.
A career in robotics can open up several high-paying career opportunities in the industry with excellent job growth. You must obtain formal robotics education at a graduate or undergraduate level to excel in your design career path.
START YOUR ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY CAREER
Earn your degree in Engineering Technology from NEIT and begin your new career path today!
ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE
BACHELOR'S DEGREE
MASTER'S DEGREE
FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Become a Robotics Engineer?
Becoming an engineer in this field requires a minimum of two years to obtain an associate’s degree and seek entry-level employment.
What Education Do You Need to Become a Robotics Engineer?
You can become a robot engineer by taking up an associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree in robots. If your school does not offer a robotics major, you can study robotics by opting for a minor specialization along with your core engineering discipline.
Is Robotics Engineering a Good Career?
Robotics engineering enables you to seek several high-paying careers with excellent job prospects. Along with tremendous earning and growth opportunities, you also learn problem-solving through cutting-edge technological developments.
Is It Hard to Be a Robotics Engineer?
A robot engineer must have a solid fundamental understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of robotic systems. You’ll have to take courses in calculus, trigonometry, physics during your high school.
The degree program involves engineering design, hydraulics and pneumatics, embedded systems, programming, and algorithm writing. Therefore, you must focus on these subjects and start early to survive and thrive in the field.
Can You Do Robotics with Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical engineers design, build and test mechanical devices. With a mechanical engineering discipline, mechanical engineers would control the physical aspects of a robot.