Mechatronics Engineers

Overview
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
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.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Examples

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.

Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $55K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $75K
Median Salary: $103K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $134K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $166K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Design engineering systems for the automation of industrial tasks.

Create mechanical design documents for parts, assemblies, or finished products.

Maintain technical project files.

Design, develop, or implement control circuits or algorithms for electromechanical or pneumatic devices or systems.

Conduct studies to determine the feasibility, costs, or performance benefits of new mechatronic equipment.

Create mechanical models and tolerance analyses to simulate mechatronic design concepts.

Design advanced electronic control systems for mechanical systems.

Implement or test design solutions.

Publish engineering reports documenting design details or qualification test results.

Research, select, or apply sensors, communication technologies, or control devices for motion control, position sensing, pressure sensing, or electronic communication.

Apply mechatronic or automated solutions to the transfer of materials, components, or finished goods.

Develop electronic, mechanical, or computerized processes to perform tasks in dangerous situations, such as underwater exploration or extraterrestrial mining.

Identify and select materials appropriate for mechatronic system designs.

Design advanced precision equipment for accurate or controlled applications.

Design mechatronics components for computer-controlled products, such as cameras, video recorders, automobiles, or airplanes.

Upgrade the design of existing devices by adding mechatronic elements.

Create embedded software design programs.

Analyze existing development or manufacturing procedures and suggest improvements.

Provide consultation or training on topics such as mechatronics or automated control.

Oversee the work of contractors in accordance with project requirements.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
The MathWorks MATLAB
Computer aided design CAD software
Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Rapid prototyping software
Data base user interface and query software
Structured query language SQL
Development environment software
National Instruments LabVIEW
Document management software
dSPACE
Filesystem software
Disk file systems
Graphics or photo imaging software
Microsoft Visio
Industrial control software
Wonderware InTouch HMI
Object or component oriented development software
C++
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Operating system software
Microsoft Windows
Platform interconnectivity software
Keysight Intuilink Connectivity Software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Program testing software
Debuggers
Project management software
Microsoft Project
Requirements analysis and system architecture software
Unified modeling language UML
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Laser printers
Electronic manufacturing machinery and equipment and accessories
Precision positioning tables
Hand tools
Power grinders
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Digital multimeters
Metal cutting machinery and accessories
Lathes
Raw materials processing machinery
Milling machines
Welding and soldering and brazing machinery and accessories and supplies
Soldering irons
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Engineering and Technology
96%
Importance

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Design
92%
Importance

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Mechanical
88%
Importance

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Computers and Electronics
86%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Mathematics
83%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Production and Processing
83%
Importance

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Physics
77%
Importance

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

English Language
68%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Administration and Management
55%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Customer and Personal Service
54%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Top 10 Skills
Judgment and Decision Making
75%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Active Listening
73%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Complex Problem Solving
73%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Critical Thinking
70%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension
70%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking
70%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing
70%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning
68%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Mathematics
68%
Importance

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Systems Evaluation
68%
Importance

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Top 10 Abilities
Oral Comprehension
75%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Deductive Reasoning
73%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning
73%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Oral Expression
73%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity
73%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Written Expression
73%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Fluency of Ideas
70%
Importance

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Near Vision
70%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Written Comprehension
70%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Mathematical Reasoning
68%
Importance

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Top 10 Work Activities
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
86%
Importance

Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Interacting With Computers
85%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
84%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Getting Information
84%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Thinking Creatively
81%
Importance

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
80%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
78%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
76%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
76%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
70%
Importance

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Detailed Work Activities

Design industrial processing systems.

Create graphical representations of mechanical equipment.

Maintain operational records or records systems.

Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.

Implement design or process improvements.

Analyze design or requirements information for mechanical equipment or systems.

Create physical models or prototypes.

Estimate operational costs.

Document design or operational test results.

Research engineering applications of emerging technologies.

Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.

Estimate technical or resource requirements for development or production projects.

Select project materials.

Design electromechanical equipment or systems.

Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.

Train personnel on proper operational procedures.

Provide technical guidance to other personnel.

Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.

Design control systems for mechanical or other equipment.

Develop technical methods or processes.

Develop software or computer applications.

Design environmental control systems.

Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.

Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Coordinate or Lead Others

How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?

Structured versus Unstructured Work

To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

Frequency of Decision Making

How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Letters and Memos

How often does the job require written letters and memos?

Education
Majors   based on the broader career Engineers, All Other
Major
Engineering, General
Architectural Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Engineering Mechanics
Engineering Physics
Engineering Science
Ocean Engineering
Systems Engineering
Construction Engineering
Forest Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Surveying Engineering
Geological/Geophysical Engineering
Paper Science and Engineering
Electromechanical Engineering
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering
Biochemical Engineering
Engineering Chemistry
Biological/Biosystems Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Energy Systems Engineering
Engineering, Other
Engineering-Related Fields
Nanotechnology
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Interests
Investigative
100%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Realistic
77%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional
58%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Artistic
53%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Enterprising
24%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Social
15%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Top 10 Work Styles
Innovation
91%
Importance

Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Analytical Thinking
87%
Importance

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Attention to Detail
86%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Initiative
86%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Persistence
86%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Integrity
81%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Dependability
79%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Cooperation
78%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Self Control
77%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Adaptability/Flexibility
76%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Work Values
Achievement
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Recognition
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Independence
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Working Conditions
74%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Relationships
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Support
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.