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Robotics Engineers
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
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 robotic applications.
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
Core Tasks
Review or approve designs, calculations, or cost estimates.
Process or interpret signals or sensor data.
Debug robotics programs.
Build, configure, or test robots or robotic applications.
Create back-ups of robot programs or parameters.
Provide technical support for robotic systems.
Design end-of-arm tooling.
Design robotic systems, such as automatic vehicle control, autonomous vehicles, advanced displays, advanced sensing, robotic platforms, computer vision, or telematics systems.
Supervise technologists, technicians, or other engineers.
Conduct research on robotic technology to create new robotic systems or system capabilities.
Design software to control robotic systems for applications, such as military defense or manufacturing.
Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems.
Evaluate robotic systems or prototypes.
Install, calibrate, operate, or maintain robots.
Integrate robotics with peripherals, such as welders, controllers, or other equipment.
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.
Document robotic application development, maintenance, or changes.
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.
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.
Write algorithms or programming code for ad hoc robotic applications.
Plan mobile robot paths and teach path plans to robots.
Make system device lists or event timing charts.
Design robotics applications for manufacturers of green products, such as wind turbines or solar panels, to increase production time, eliminate waste, or reduce costs.
Automate assays on laboratory robotics.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Engineering and Technology
96%
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
93%
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Computers and Electronics
89%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Mechanical
85%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics
84%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
English Language
80%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Physics
79%
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.
Production and Processing
74%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Education and Training
66%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Public Safety and Security
59%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Top 10 Skills
Critical Thinking
80%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening
78%
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
78%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making
78%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring
78%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension
78%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Systems Analysis
78%
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Active Learning
75%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Mathematics
75%
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Writing
75%
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Top 10 Abilities
Problem Sensitivity
83%
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.
Deductive Reasoning
80%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
80%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering
80%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Oral Comprehension
80%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
80%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Category Flexibility
78%
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Fluency of Ideas
78%
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).
Mathematical Reasoning
78%
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Near Vision
78%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Top 10 Work Activities
Interacting With Computers
96%
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
93%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Getting Information
90%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Thinking Creatively
90%
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
88%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Analyzing Data or Information
87%
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
85%
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.
Processing Information
83%
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
82%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Documenting/Recording Information
81%
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Detailed Work Activities
Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
Interpret design or operational test results.
Program robotic equipment.
Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
Design electromechanical equipment or systems.
Maintain operational records or records systems.
Advise customers on the use of products or services.
Design industrial equipment.
Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
Develop software or computer applications.
Research advanced engineering designs or applications.
Investigate system, equipment, or product failures.
Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
Install production equipment or systems.
Operate industrial equipment.
Prepare operational reports.
Design industrial processing systems.
Document technical design details.
Develop operational methods or processes that use green materials or emphasize sustainability.
Work Context
Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations 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?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
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?
Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
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?
Education
Majors based on the broader career Engineers, All Other
Major
Interests
Investigative
96%
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
86%
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%
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
39%
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%
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%
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
Analytical Thinking
90%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
90%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Achievement/Effort
86%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Persistence
86%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Initiative
85%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
85%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Dependability
84%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Innovation
84%
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Cooperation
83%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Adaptability/Flexibility
82%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Work Values
Independence
81%
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
81%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Achievement
77%
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
72%
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.
Support
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships
48%
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.
