How to become a robotics engineer

Robots are smart machines that help us in problem solving. Robots can be used in complex operations like that of a nuclear power station or they can be a part of our daily lives by coming as a chatbot and solving your order issues on a retail website. Robotics engineering is a growing field that is a combination of data analysis, engineering, and computer science. 

Robots are designed, built and tested using software and mechanical hardware. A robotics engineer with a coding background will focus on the software side of things and those with mechanical engineering will look after the physical components of a robot. A robotics engineer must be well-versed in math, electronics and computer science and should also be good at coding languages.

What is a robotics engineer?

The field of robotic engineering is modelled on building machines to replicate human actions. The role of a robotics engineer is to create these applications or autonomous machines (robots) for various uses like mining, manufacturing, automotive and many more. The idea is to get machines to do any job that is either repetitive, unhealthy or hazardous.

What does a robotics engineer do?

The role of a robotics engineer is to build prototypes, build and test machines and also maintain the software that controls them. They have to find the most cost- effective and safe manner to manufacture the robotics systems. The role of a robotics engineer  includes having to conduct research in various robotic fields.

Outlined below are the various steps you need to follow to become a robotics engineer.

1. Robotics engineer education

Since robotics engineering is a new field of work, there are very few programs that one can pursue to become a robotics engineer. There are many alternate pathways that you can choose. Robotics engineering is built on advanced math, engineering and computer science, so you need to have a good foundation in these subjects. An undergraduate degree in computer science will prepare you with the coding aspects of the job whereas mechanical engineering will prepare you with building the hardware of the robot. 

While a degree is the most preferable route to a career in robotics, there are other options to get there. For instance, you could try bootcamps that are focused on developing specific skills and preparing you to transition into your career. Boot camps concentrate on a variety of topics from coding to data analytics and will teach you many hard skills that can be applied in robotics engineering. They have an added advantage of a flexible schedule and remote learning which will be helpful if you are a working individual. There are various other online resources and self-learning options that you can explore.

2. Gain all the required skills

 Once you complete a degree, ensure that you have all the skills required to become a robotics engineer. You need to be well-versed in coding, programming, statistics, process control, mathematics, engineering, automation and material science. You can find ways to develop these skills or you could consider an internship in a robotics company. These will not only offer you mentorship from experienced professionals in your field but also give you an opportunity to build your network.

 Another good way to build your experience is to pursue personal robotics projects. Designing and building a robot will give you all the necessary opportunity to put into practice whatever you have learnt. As an added bonus, you will have something interesting to discuss when you apply for jobs in the field.

3. Join a professional association

Networking is important in any job. Gaining professional contacts will not just help you get a good job but also help you become a skilled and more well-rounded engineer. Attending conferences and workshops will also help you learn more and build a good network. Robotics societies host these workshops and conferences and give you good access to other robotics engineers and professionals from the field.

4.  Apply for jobs

Robotics is a competitive field and you need to be strategic when applying for jobs. Look for robotics engineer job profiles that you are interested in and those that you are qualified for. You will also need to spend some time looking at job listing sites. Build your resume and highlight your experience and education pertaining to robotics. 

When applying for jobs, be sure to look at the companies posting these jobs, what they stand for and what their values, history and latest initiatives are. Read up about the companies that you are applying to so that you can be well prepared for the interview. Try some practice interviews and try talking about some of the topics that the interviewer may cover.

Summary

Robotics is a growing and lucrative field that allows for good growth and skill expansion. The demand for robotics engineers is continuing to increase and a variety of companies are hiring for this position. Growth however varies by industry and as robotics becomes more prevalent, the growth for robotics engineers will exceed expectations.

People Also Ask

1. What qualifications do I need to be a robotics engineer?

To become a robotics engineer, you need to possess knowledge of engineering science and technology, mathematics, computer operating systems and thinking and reasoning skills.

2. Are robotics engineers in high demand?

Robotics engineers are in high demand in fields like manufacturing, assembly, IoT and medicine. 

3. Is robotics engineering best for the future?

The field is growing due to an increase in use of machine learning and similar technologies. The projections state that there is going to be a rise in the number of jobs in robotics engineering.