Robotics engineers are usually employed in the manufacturing industry, and spend a lot of their time doing research and keeping up to date on the latest developments in computing, engineering, and electronics. Robotics is a rapidly growing field, one that requires an array of specialists to conduct research, propose new concepts and applications, and find ways to advance the existing ones, so robotics engineering is an exciting field for anyone with an aptitude for technology.

Skills

Robotics engineers must have an excellent understanding of automated systems, manufacturing, design, production processes, raw materials, and quality control. Their work entails resource allocation and strategic planning, so they must have good administrative and business skills.

They must have a good attention to detail and be able to solve complex problems, as their work includes a lot of troubleshooting. To be successful in the field, robotics engineers should be able to anticipate all the future uses of the designs they create. Commercial awareness is important, and engineers should be able to anticipate the future needs of end users as well, as well as to pinpoint the industries which could potentially benefit from the use of robots.

Robotics engineers frequently work in teams to develop new designs and concepts, so they should have good people skills and be able to communicate their ideas clearly to their employers, clients, and fellow employees. Engineers must also be able to analyze complex sets of data and to make decisions based on the results of the research. Problem solving skills are essential in this line of work on a day-to-day basis.

Needless to say, creativity and a knack for invention and thinking outside the box can give an engineer a significant advantage in this profession. 

Qualifications

Robotics engineers need post-graduate degrees to find quality work in the field. They usually have a master's degree in electrical or mechanical engineering, and those who get the best jobs in research and design typically have PhDs.

A strong academic background in applied physical sciences and computer science is essential for career advancement in robotics. 

Work duties

Robotics engineers are usually employed in manufacturing, but can also work in other fields, such as nuclear power plant maintenance, mining, agriculture, and any other industry that can benefit from the technology they create. Engineers typically spend their days developing designs, creating prototypes and experimental robots, and working on applications that can range from military and automotive to medical uses. They upgrade existing robots and applications, and test the modifications. They are also responsible for integrating robotics with other equipment, such as controllers, as well as for debugging robotics programs and providing technical support to clients. Their job sometimes requires them to travel, usually to a client's location to oversee robot operations, upgrade the robots, investigate mechanical failures, create back-ups of robot programs, or deal with any other issues that arise.