Occupation

Robotics Engineers

Human Advantage 70%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.4 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.

Also Known As: Algorithm Engineer, Automation Engineer, Autonomous Vehicle Design Engineer, Autonomy Engineer, Controls Engineer, Design Engineer, Factory Automations Engineer, Mechatronics Engineer +11 more

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Core Tasks

  1. Review or approve designs, calculations, or cost estimates.
  2. Process or interpret signals or sensor data.
  3. Debug robotics programs.
  4. Build, configure, or test robots or robotic applications.
  5. Create back-ups of robot programs or parameters.
  6. Provide technical support for robotic systems.
  7. Design end-of-arm tooling.
  8. Design robotic systems, such as automatic vehicle control, autonomous vehicles, advanced displays, advanced sensing, robotic platforms, computer vision, or telematics systems.
  9. Supervise technologists, technicians, or other engineers.
  10. Design software to control robotic systems for applications, such as military defense or manufacturing.
  11. Conduct research on robotic technology to create new robotic systems or system capabilities.
  12. Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems.
  13. Integrate robotics with peripherals, such as welders, controllers, or other equipment.
  14. Evaluate robotic systems or prototypes.
  15. Install, calibrate, operate, or maintain robots.
  16. Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of robotic mechanisms, components, or systems, such as planetary rovers, multiple mobile robots, reconfigurable robots, or man-machine interactions.
  17. Document robotic application development, maintenance, or changes.
  18. Design automated robotic systems to increase production volume or precision in high-throughput operations, such as automated ribonucleic acid (RNA) analysis or sorting, moving, or stacking production materials.
  19. Write algorithms or programming code for ad hoc robotic applications.
  20. Make system device lists or event timing charts.

Supplemental Tasks (4)

  1. Design or program robotics systems for environmental clean-up applications to minimize human exposure to toxic or hazardous materials or to improve the quality or speed of clean-up operations.
  2. Plan mobile robot paths and teach path plans to robots.
  3. Design robotics applications for manufacturers of green products, such as wind turbines or solar panels, to increase production time, eliminate waste, or reduce costs.
  4. Automate assays on laboratory robotics.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
50%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
17%
Master's Degree
17%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
7%
Doctoral Degree
7%
Some College Courses
3%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Atlassian JIRA
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Bentley MicroStation
  • C
  • C#
  • C++
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
  • Git
  • JavaScript
  • Linux
  • Microsoft .NET Framework
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Visual Studio
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • Oracle Database
  • Oracle Java
  • Python
  • Structured query language SQL
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • UNIX

Software (68)

  • AVEVA InTouch HMI
  • CODESYS
  • Compilers
  • Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
  • Computer aided software engineering CASE tools
  • Computer-aided engineering CAE software
  • Concurrent Versions Systems
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Debuggers
  • Finite element analysis FEA software
  • GRASPIT!
  • Gazebo
  • Graphical user interface GUI builder software
  • Haskell
  • Human machine interface HMI software
  • Image processors
  • Keb Combivis Studio
  • Laboratory information management system LIMS
  • Ladder Logic
  • List processing language LISP
  • MathWorks Simulink
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • Operating system software
  • Presagis Stage
  • Profilers
  • Programmable logic controller PLC software
  • Real time operating system RTOS software
  • Robotics Academy ROBOTC
  • Rockwell RSLogix
  • Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7
  • Siemens SIMATIC WinCC
  • Software development tools
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Testing software
  • USyCaMs
  • Variable frequency drive VFD software
  • Version control software
  • Video digitizers
  • Wind River Systems VxWorks
  • Windows Embedded Compact

Tools & Equipment (14)

  • Bar code readers
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital video cameras
  • Function generators
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser scanners
  • Multimeters
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Programmable logic controllers PLC
  • Signal conditioners
  • Sonar rings
  • Torque meters
  • Vision systems
  • Welding gun torches

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Engineering Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 4
Robotics Engineers You are here

Production & Automation Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 4
Robotics Engineers You are here

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