If you’re considering a career in robotics, then it’s essential to have realistic expectations for your future.
Robotics is a relatively new field that has recently been making waves in the marketplace. It is a challenging, rewarding, satisfying career choice that allows you to work on innovative technology projects. Here are nine things you can expect as you work toward becoming a robotics professional.
Is Robotics a Good Career? (9 Things You Can Expect)
Robotics is an exciting field that offers competitive salaries, rewarding work, and an interest in technology. They work with computers and sensors to design systems that can perform tasks without human intervention. However, it requires an academic degree in electrical engineering or computer science and extensive programming skills. Overall, being a robotic engineer is fascinating and offers multiple advancement opportunities.
Are you looking for a rewarding career that will keep you busy and engaged? If yes, then robotics is the right choice.
1. Automated Systems
Robotics draws from the fields of engineering, science, and technology.
Most of the time, these robots and machines help humans complete activities that would be highly challenging or perhaps impossible without some mechanical assistance.
Globally, robotics plays a vital role in the efficiency of the workplace. It is achieved by performing jobs that are either too time-consuming, too dangerous for humans, or otherwise difficult to obtain.
As a profession, a robotics specialist creates, tests, and operates robots that carry out specific tasks for human benefit.
An engineer in the field of robotics may work alone or with a team to design robots for particular applications.
2. Rewarding Career Choice
For aspiring engineers, a job in robotics can provide incredible benefits.
In robotics engineering, you can complete a creative loop by working with other engineers worldwide. This opens up new avenues for employment and professional development.
They often receive higher pay when they advance to managerial or analytical roles. Even entry-level positions can expect solid compensation.
However, a career in robotics can result in a lot of stress due to the long hours and complex projects that are commonplace. At the same time, long, expensive, and intensive education is necessary.
In this industry, you will often be held accountable for your designs’ outcomes, whether it succeeds or fails.
3. Competitive Salary
When it comes to earning potential and career advancement, robotics engineering is a cutting-edge industry.
A Robotics Engineer can expect an average annual income of $85,792 in the United States. Meanwhile, the average annual salary for an entry-level position is $57,730. On the other hand, a senior robotics engineer can expect to make an average of $143,030.
In a corporate setting, robotics professionals often receive benefits like:
- 401k
- Vacation & Time Off Benefits
- Retirement and Stock Option Benefits
- Health Insurance & Wellness
- Child Care & Parental Leave Benefits
4. Interest In Technology
Robotics can be a very noble profession for individuals who are into technology and problem-solving.
It’s plain to see that we’re talking about a group of creative thinkers, engineers, and scientists passionate about automation.
They are a dedicated group of machine learning, simulation, and optimization experts who are always enthusiastic about innovative technologies.
Overall, they always thrive on the challenge of taking on complex tasks about robotics developments.
5. Academic Degrees
On average, a bachelor’s degree is necessary for entry-level work as a robotics engineer.
In most cases, about a quarter (27%) of the robotics engineering workforce has a mechanical engineering degree. At the same time, electrical engineering, mechatronics, and robotics major are frequent secondary fields of study.
A master’s degree is usually required for better-paying jobs and career advancement in various fields. Meanwhile, a doctoral degree is typically necessary for academic or research work.
You’ll also need a license to practice as an independent robotics engineer. It is recommended that you take and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exams.
6. Programming Skills
If you want to make it as a professional in the robotics industry, you’ll need to master some very fundamental programming concepts.
C/C++ is the most widely used language in robotics. However, since Python can be used to create ROS packages, it is also very popular to use in robotics.
Meanwhile, a solid foundation in at least a few areas of mathematics and science is required. The ability to develop and design functional technical systems is essential in robotics too.
A robotics professional can get a long way with just a bit of creativity. In addition, it can help find solutions to problems.
7. Internships & Robotics Club
In this field, internships or fellowships can lead to full-time jobs, but in most cases, it’s just a stepping stone to your first job.
Typically, they worked with an experienced robotics engineer who stood as their mentor.
Some students also participate in a group at a major university where undergraduates and graduate students work on robotics projects.
On the other hand, some individuals participate in robotics competitions, which is a great way to get experience and looks great on a resume.
You can also start working toward becoming an Engineer or Software Developer. Most technical people working on robotics projects are programmers.
8. Dynamic, Expanding Market
The robotics field is one of the most dynamic and expanding today.
In a recent report, Globe News Wire estimated that the global robotics industry was valued at US$29.81 billion, with sales projected to expand at a CAGR of 17.84% over the next seven years.
Using robotics would boost global GDP and productivity, opening up a plethora of new job opportunities for individuals all over the world.
Because of the critical role robotics engineers play in manufacturing, they are at the forefront of developing more efficient factory and assembly line automation.
There are many different fields that these professionals can work across.
- Private robot manufacturers or robot user
- Military and space programs
- Colleges and universities
9. Managing Work-Life Balance
A robotics engineer’s typical day consists of tasks such as creating system designs, creating programs, reviewing budgets, and approving them.
In most cases, this profession can put a person under a lot of stress due to the long hours and complex projects that are commonplace.
It’s a competitive field; if you were younger, you’d have a more challenging time keeping up.
By all means, several engineers try to strike a healthy work-life balance by studying and using stress management techniques.
One way they cope with stress is to engage in one task at a time.
Conclusion
Robotics is a captivating field to enter, especially with recent technological advancements.
With continued development and integration of robotics into society, robotics engineers can expect a positive outlook for their future careers and employability prospects.
As technology improves and becomes more prevalent, we anticipate further opportunities to use robotics in various industries.
Ultimately, that interest, combined with talent and hard work, can lead to a rewarding career.
