Robotics Engineer

Job Description:

Robotics engineers design and build machines to do automated jobs in industries like manufacturing, aerospace and medicine.

Job Category:
IT Industry
See IT Industry jobs

What you will do:

Your day-to-day will include tasks such as:

  • install, calibrate, operate, or maintain robots
  • conduct research on robotic technology to create new robotic systems or system capabilities
  • investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems
  • build, configure, or test robots or robotic applications
  • design robotic systems, such as automatic vehicle control, autonomous vehicles, advanced displays, advanced sensing, robotic platforms, computer vision, or telematics systems
  • document robotic application development, maintenance, or changes. Review or approve designs, calculations, or cost estimates
  • install, calibrate, operate, or maintain robots
  • make system device lists or event timing charts

Skills:

You’ll likely need:

  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
  • maths knowledge
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As well as:

  • design skills and knowledge
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • the ability to work in a team or driven enough to run a project on your own
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  1. a university course
  2. a college course
  3. an apprenticeship
  4. working towards this role

University

You’ll need to do a degree or postgraduate qualification in:

  • artificial intelligence and robotics
  • mechatronics
  • robotics engineering
  • mechanical engineering
  • electronics engineering
  • computer science
  • mathematics

You can also work in the development of artificial intelligence if you have a qualification in psychology or cognitive science.

College Course

You can do a college course, which may help you to find a job as a robotics technician. Relevant courses include:

  • Level 3 Certificate in Robotics and Automation
  • Level 4 Diploma in Computing
  • Higher National Certificate in Electrical or Electronic Engineering

With further training, you can qualify as an engineer.

Apprenticeship

You could do a degree apprenticeship in a robotics specialism. Apprenticeship examples include:

  • control and technical support engineering
  • software development
  • manufacturing engineering
  • embedded electronic systems design

Work
You could start as a robotics technician or junior engineer and study for a degree on the job to qualify.

You’ll find it useful to join robotics engineering groups or take part in robotics design competitions to build up your skills and knowledge.

Working Hours and Environment:

You’ll usually work around 40 hours a week. You may work longer to meet project deadlines.

You’ll usually work in an office or a lab. You may work in factories, workshops or outdoors.

Career Path & Progression:

You could become a lead engineer, with overall responsibility for managing a project.

You could also specialise in a particular area of robotics, for example self-driving vehicles, space exploration, surgical instruments, or deep ocean research.

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