Robotics Engineer

Working Schedule

• Robotics Engineers work full-time, with duties split between “office hours” and hands-on work in laboratories or at job sites. When a robot or system malfunctions, work stoppages become costly fast. In such cases, engineers may be called in after normal business hours to get things back online quickly. 

Typical Duties

• Work with external clients and teams
• Review situations or problems where robotic systems are needed
• Determine possible mechanical solutions and estimate associated costs
• Conduct research related to feasibility, operation parameters, parts, systems, etc.
• Use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to draft new system prototypes or adjust existing designs
• Build control software, write code, utilize machine learning, and debug programs
• Analyze sensor/signal data
• Integrate peripheral equipment (such as welding equipment)
• Supervise teams or individual work
• Oversee construction of newly-designed robot and system prototypes
• Work with microprocessors and digital signal processors
• Assist with installation, calibration, and proper usage training
• Plan and teach paths for mobile robots
• Test newly-installed equipment; monitor to ensure quality and proper operation
• Respond to system failures, perform diagnostics, determine the cause of problems, and perform repairs
• Provide tech support as needed
• Redesign defective systems as required

Additional Responsibilities

• Write and maintain documentation
• Work on-call for troubleshooting and other incident response issues
• Ensure compliance with state, federal, and international regulations and guidelines
• Stay up-to-date on new trends and developments

Soft Skills

• Attention to detail
• Collaboration 
• Creativity
• Customer service 
• Goal-focused
• Highly organized
• Investigative and inquisitive
• Objectivity
• Problem-solving skills
• Process-oriented
• Quality assurance mindset
• Time management skills
• Strong communications skills
• Must be able to listen carefully to client needs, articulate suggestions, conduct thorough research via technical readings, and write technical papers as well as clear, easy-to-understand operations materials

Technical Skills

• Applied technology
• Chemistry
• Computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) - Autodesk AutoCAD, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks, Robotics Academy ROBOTC
• Computer-aided engineering - Gazebo, GRASPIT!, MATLAB
• Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
• Computer science
• Development environment software
• Industrial control software
• Knowledge of electronics
• Mechanical aptitude
• Operating system software - Linux, UNIX, VxWorks
• Physics
• Strong math skills in geometry, algebra, calculus, and trigonometry

• Automotive industry
• Corporations/companies
• Factories/Manufacturing plants
• Governmental/Military agencies
• Healthcare 
• Higher education institutions
• Research and development

Robotic system costs can start around $50,000 and go up to $150,000 or more. With that much funding invested, companies expect a solid Return on Investment. It’s up to the engineers to make sure they get it. 
 
While some workers worry that robots will steal their jobs, the fact is there are too many advantages to using robots to ignore. Safety, speed, consistency, quality, human worker wellness, and productivity are a few of the main advantages, but only when systems work the way they should. When they don’t, those advantages can quickly turn into disadvantages, with lost production, lost earnings, and unhappy employees. Therefore Robotic Engineers have an incredible responsibility on their shoulders. They must put in the research needed then design systems that will function as expected, and be ready to do what it takes to fix issues when things go wrong. 

Robotics Business Review anticipates several trends to watch for. Robotics companies are expected to team up as big business starts to acquire more systems. Cobots and industrial robots will continue to evolve, eventually revealing which of the two offers better investment potential to buyers. Meanwhile, advances in commercial drones will press the on, and self-driving cars will be utilized more but within controlled situations. Two other trends to watch for are retailers using robots to fulfill more orders, and mobile manipulation robots (basically a robot arm mounted on wheels) will keep being researched for ways they can be used effectively. 

Of course, many Robotics Engineers might tell you about their childhood fascination with robots in science fiction contexts, such as books, films, and TV shows. Those media are often our first encounters with the concept of robots, though in sci-fi they’re typically paired with Artificial Intelligence. Most real-world robotic systems have much more utilitarian purposes, however, fictional robots still inspire and motivate engineers to push the boundaries of what’s possible. 
 
Naturally, engineers need above par math and mechanical skills, so we can expect workers in this field have always been somewhat inclined towards achievement in those areas. They’re also very practical, and most likely have always had that streak in their disposition. To be successful working on robotics systems, one should be inquisitive and possess keen attention-to-detail. In their youth, Robotics Engineers may have enjoyed puzzles, mysteries, and games requiring one to discover a feasible solution through applied critical thinking.