Before we begin finding paths that you lead you out of this field, let us introduce you to the field of robotics engineering. By specializing in it, you handle the operation, maintenance, installation, and even development of automated machinery. Since various sectors, particularly manufacturing, run procedures that consist of repetitive tasks, automation has its advantages. It allows managers to focus on stuff besides mindlessly repeating a task. It frees companies from manual labor expenses and issues. You’ll also find robotics engineering being used in the automotive and aircraft industries.
What Degrees in Robotics Engineering are Available to Me?
You’ll find various types of programs in the area of robotics engineering. As an Associate of Applied Science in this field, you can find a job diagnosing and test robotics machinery, electrical systems, and hydraulics. It only takes two years to completion and best of all, you can transfer your credits later if you decide to join a bachelor’s degree program.
Generally, a combination of courses, such as electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering, makes up the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in robotics engineering. Enrolled in one, you will study the building and programming of robotics machinery. If you aim for a bachelor’s, your course material will give you a broad overview of the field. But in masters, you can pick an area in robotics engineering to specialize in, such as artificial intelligence, control systems design, or robotics animation.
Careers You Can Pick
A degree in robotics engineering can be your introduction to a diverse spread of opportunities. Due to the kind of education you have received, you will thrive in most fields that have room for planning, construction, and maintenance of technological solutions. Thus, you will be well-equipped to work at tasks like drafting conceptual blueprints and testing newly developed technology.
More specifically, though, your robotics engineering degree can take you to the following places:
From Robotics Engineering Graduate to a Controls Engineer
You will learn automated control system management when studying robotics engineering. Hence, you can put that to use in streamlining the workflow in manufacturing facilities. Your job will include keeping the said solutions operational and minimizing the chance of errors. Therefore, you must make sure that you optimize them until they work with high efficiency.
More specifically, places like food plant and car manufacturing factories, will highly benefit from your expertise. In fact, they will also have high demands for the position of a controls engineer. After all, you can also help their products stick to the baseline when it comes to quality standards. Of course, the baseline will vary in context with the industry that you become a part of. For instance, the demands of a clothing manufacturer won’t match that of a sardine manufacturing factory. In any case, have the specifics that form the baseline in a given industry before seeking to work in it.
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians
The aircraft and spacecraft industries, too, have many steps that must be repeated during production. Most of these processes lend themselves to automation beautifully. They speed up as a result of the automation. So, as an aerospace engineering and operations technician, your task would be to ascertain that you can maintain the automation. You will have at hand advanced robotics equipment that you must program to ensure that it operates correctly. The very good news is that you can prepare for this career path with an associate’s degree. Moreover, graduating from a vocational program in the subject of robotics can also get you a similar spot.
From Robotics Engineering Degree to Electro-mechanical Technicians
These professionals must have an associate’s degree. A certification in electro-mechanics can also work. As an electro-mechanical technician, you will be working with any equipment that can be operated remotely, including robots and drones. Your job, if you haven’t already guessed, is to keep the equipment operating properly. Besides routine maintenance, you may also have to conduct tests on the robotics equipment.
Computer and Information Research Scientists
This field demands innovative thinkers who can either improve existing or create new technological tools that work more effectively. Just as mechanical engineers create the hardware for those tools, you will be responsible for programming them. Computer and information research scientists usually have a master’s degree in computer science or a similar discipline.
Other Fields for a Robotics Engineering Major
While we mentioned specific posts in different industries above, there are even more other options. Below, we talk about the two major fields most likely to need and employ an expert with a robotics engineering major:
The Military
You may consider the military as a potential area of focus. First off, that’s because they have been using robots to detect mines as far back as WW2. Secondly, in the new era, unmanned aircrafts have great potential in intelligence gathering. Additionally, armed robots that are controlled remotely are already on the ground in some places. If you think preserving human lives from warfare is a worthy vocation, then go for this!
Medical
As a robotics engineering graduate, you may also want to look at how the field of medicine intends to use robots. Even right now, there are surgical procedures that robots can perform. Tests on whether emergency services, such as fire and rescue, can benefit from the use of robotics are already going on.
If you do intend to pursue this career path, we’d suggest strengthening your case with a bachelor’s degree in robotics engineering.
In short, a robotics engineering major lends itself to diverse fields. That’s because, as a student, you learn building the robot framework, programming its operating system, and testing the machine. Your classes will span the disciplines of computer science, mathematics, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, operating systems, and computer software. Whether you choose to exercise your expertise for military, transport, manufacturing, or transportation fields depends on you. We just wanted to help you see why limiting yourself with such a major wouldn’t be a smart choice. Have questions on robotics engineering? Ask us here!