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Robotic Engineers

Robotics Engineers research, design, develop, or test robotic applications. Following information reflects a traditional definition and relevant information about robotics engineers.  New robotics applications are forcing the definition of this occupation to change, with the developments of collaborative robots (co-bots), unmanned vehicles including drones, soft robotics and grippers, self-folding and reconfiguring robots as well as the boom of service robotics outpacing industrial robotics.

Sample of reported job titles:

Design Engineer
  • Automation Engineer
  • Automation Engineering Manage
  • Autonomous Vehicle Design Engineer
  • Design Engineer, Engineering Manager
  • Engineering Vice President
  • Factory Automations Engineer
  • Research Engineer
  • Robotic Systems Engineer
  • Robotics and Systems Lead

Some of the common tasks carried out:

Create and debug robotics programs
  • Review or approve designs, calculations, or cost estimates.
  • Process or interpret signals or sensor data.
  • Create and debug robotics programs.
  • Build, configure, or test robots or robotic applications.
  • Create back-ups of robot programs or parameters.

Critical technology skills required:

  • Analytical or scientific software
  • Computer aided design (CAD) software
  • Development environment software
  • Industrial control software
  • Operating system software

Critical knowledge required:

Analytical
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Design
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical

Skills needed:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Monitoring

Abilities needed:

  • Problem Sensitivity
  • Deductive Reasoning
  • Inductive Reasoning
  • Information Ordering
  • Oral Comprehension

Educational level of the surveyed Robotics Engineers:

  • Bachelor's degree: 50%
  • Associate's degree: 17%
  • Master's degree: 17%

Related occupations:

Photonics Engineers
  • Electronics Engineers, Except Computer Manufacturing Engineers
  • Photonics Engineers
  • Electronics Engineering Technologists
  • Manufacturing Engineering Technologists

Employment data:

  • Median wages (2019): $47.62 hourly, $99,040 annual
  • Employment (2018): 157,800 employees
  • Projected growth (2018-2028): Average (4% to 6%)
  • Projected job openings (2018-2028): 11,700
  • Top industries (2018): Government