How to Become a Robotics Engineer: Follow These Easy Steps

The Industrial Revolution 4.0 is disrupting the world around us. With robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and automation technologies taking over, the global manufacturing industry is experiencing reduced human dependency. Robotics and AI will likely boost labor productivity by up to 40 per cent by 2035. It can also significantly reduce overhead costs for businesses and lower the risk of human error. This has resulted in high demand for robotics engineers to develop and maintain industrial robots. This blog guides you through the process of how to become a robotics engineer.

What is Robotics Engineering?

Robotics engineering entails using technologies like IoT, automation, and AI to develop robotic systems and applications. These applications assist humans in performing labor-intensive tasks efficiently. In a nutshell, robotics engineering is the process of designing, creating, and maintaining robotics systems.

How to Become a Robotics Engineer

Step 1: Academic Qualification

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Robotics is the first and the most crucial step when the question of how to become a robotics engineer arises. However, you also pursue a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or IT.

Step 2: Acquire Necessary Skills

The next step is acquiring the necessary technical and interpersonal skills for robotics engineers. These skills have been discussed in detail below.

Step 3: Gain Practical Experience

Along with technical skills, you also need practical experience to get a job as a robotics engineer. You can gain practical experience by working on research projects and volunteering with robotics societies or tech organizations.

Step 4: Apply for Jobs

Once you gain the requisite skills and experience, you can apply for robotics engineering jobs on LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and other reliable job sites. You can also send cold emails to technology startups.

What Skills Must a Robotics Engineer Have

A robotics engineer’s most essential task is to maintain automated machines through troubleshooting. Therefore, robotics engineers need to have expert knowledge of digital electronics and microprocessors, sensory feedback systems, and signal processing. Here are some of the most essential technical skills that robotics engineers must have:

• Micro-robotics
• AI and Machine Learning (ML) 
• Automation
• Signal processing
• Computer-aided manufacturing
• Computer integrated manufacturing systems
• Robot manipulators
• Computational geometry

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In addition to these technical skills, robotics engineers must also learn critical thinking, problem-solving, presentation, leadership, and analytical thinking.

Do You Need a Degree to be a Robotics Engineer?

Robotics is a complicated technology that requires the application of advanced mathematics and engineering concepts. Thus, it is essential to have at least a Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, or IT to become a robotics engineer.

What Does a Robotics Engineer do Every Day?

The primary responsibility of robotics engineers is to build or assemble robots or machines that can simplify daily tasks for humans. Here are some of the tasks that robotics engineers have to perform daily:

• Design prototypes, frameworks, and algorithms to build robotic systems
• Test and configure robotic systems
• Research the latest robotics technology, like nanotechnology, to augment the efficiency of robotic applications
• Train robotic systems using sensory data
• Write detailed technical reports explaining the design methodology and the cost estimates to build robotics systems

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Now that you have a better understanding of how to become a robotics engineer, get out there and upskill with Emeritus to bag your dream job! Explore our catalog of online technology courses

Career Outlook for Robotics Engineers

With every passing year, the reach of robotics has been widening to different sectors. Martin Ford, in his book, Rise of the Robots, mentions that the increasing use of robotics and automated technologies poses a threat to labor-intensive jobs.

However, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), robots will automate only 10 per cent of jobs worldwide. Robotics will augment labor activities and boost efficiency. Hence, the demand for robotics engineers is likely to inflate in the next few decades.

According to Statista, a German company that provides market and consumer data, the global industrial robotics market size is expected to be $70.6 billion by 2028. The Future of Jobs Report, published by the World Economic Forum in 2020, also suggests that robotics engineering is one of the top emerging job roles in countries like Argentina and Poland. It is also  emerging as a coveted role in diverse sectors such as advanced manufacturing, automotive, education, energy utilities and technologies, mining and metals, and oil and gas.

Benefits of Taking an Online Robotics Course

Robotics is an appealing career due to its ample learning scope and job opportunities. Here is how online courses in robotics can be beneficial for you:

Learn Advanced Knowledge

Most online courses teach executive-level skills to help you enhance your current knowledge. This allows you to step up from your current role without having to take a career break to pursue higher education.

Gain Skills

Most online robotics courses are skill-oriented. The instructors are usually experienced industry professionals who not only teach you the latest robotics but also help you navigate a career path by sharing their experience.

Enhance Your Resume

Online robotics courses allow you to study robotics at any of the top universities in the world. This boosts your resume and helps you secure robotics engineering jobs at top companies.

How can Emeritus Help You in Becoming a Robotics Engineer?

According to the IFR, 2.7 million industrial robots were being used in factories all over the world in 2020. In 2022, there are 3 million industrial robots worldwide. This increase in sales of robots will accelerate the demand for robotics engineers. 

If you are still wondering how to become a robotics engineer, Emeritus offers online technology courses that can help you. From robotics and AI fundamentals to advanced concepts, these online courses can significantly help boost your career in robotics. Learn the fundamentals of robotics from top universities today! 

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