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Career Details

17-2199.08 - Robotics Engineers


Research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
1
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
136,900
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
142,300
Estimate
Change in Employment
+5,500
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+4%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Supervise technologists, technicians, or other engineers.
  • Integrate robotics with peripherals, such as welders, controllers, or other equipment.
  • Provide technical support for robotic systems.
  • Review or approve designs, calculations, or cost estimates.
  • Make system device lists or event timing charts.
  • Document robotic application development, maintenance, or changes.
  • Write algorithms or programming code for ad hoc robotic applications.
  • Create back-ups of robot programs or parameters.
  • Process or interpret signals or sensor data.
  • Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems.
  • Install, calibrate, operate, or maintain robots.
  • Debug robotics programs.
  • Design end-of-arm tooling.
  • Conduct research on robotic technology to create new robotic systems or system capabilities.
  • Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of robotic mechanisms, components, or systems, such as planetary rovers, multiple mobile robots, reconfigurable robots, or man-machine interactions.
  • Design automated robotic systems to increase production volume or precision in high-throughput operations, such as automated ribonucleic acid (RNA) analysis or sorting, moving, or stacking production materials.
  • Design software to control robotic systems for applications, such as military defense or manufacturing.
  • Design robotic systems, such as automatic vehicle control, autonomous vehicles, advanced displays, advanced sensing, robotic platforms, computer vision, or telematics systems.
  • Build, configure, or test robots or robotic applications.
  • Evaluate robotic systems or prototypes.
Supplemental
  • Plan mobile robot paths and teach path plans to robots.
  • Automate assays on laboratory robotics.
  • Design or program robotics systems for environmental clean-up applications to minimize human exposure to toxic or hazardous materials or to improve the quality or speed of clean-up operations.
  • Design robotics applications for manufacturers of green products, such as wind turbines or solar panels, to increase production time, eliminate waste, or reduce costs.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 96%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 Design
  • 93%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 89%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Mechanical
  • 84%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Mathematics
  • 84%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 English Language
  • 80%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Physics
  • 79%
    Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
 Production and Processing
  • 74%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Education and Training
  • 66%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 59%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 57%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Telecommunications
  • 57%
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
 Administration and Management
  • 55%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Chemistry
  • 52%
    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
 Clerical
  • 50%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Computer data input devices
  • Bar code readers
  • Laser scanners
  • Vision systems
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
 Cameras
  • Digital video cameras
 Integrated circuits
  • Programmable logic controllers PLC
 Soldering machines
  • Welding gun torches
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content management software
  • Atlassian JIRAHOT
  • Concurrent Versions Systems
  • GitHOT
  • Version control software
 Industry specific software
  • Autodesk AutoCADHOT
  • Bentley MicroStationHOT
  • CODESYS
  • Computer aided design and drafting CADD softwareHOT
  • Computer-aided engineering CAE software
  • Dassault Systemes CATIAHOT
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorksHOT
  • Finite element analysis FEA software
  • Gazebo
  • GRASPIT!
  • Human machine interface HMI software
  • Image processors
  • Keb Combivis Studio
  • Laboratory information management system LIMS
  • Programmable logic controller PLC software
  • Robotics Academy ROBOTCHOT
  • Rockwell RSLogix
  • Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7
  • Siemens SIMATIC WinCC
  • Stage
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA softwareHOT
  • Testing software
  • The MathWorks MATLABHOT
  • The MathWorks Simulink
  • UsyCamsHOT
  • Variable frequency drive VFD software
  • Wonderware InTouch
 Development software
  • C
  • C++HOT
  • Compilers
  • Computer aided software engineering CASE tools
  • Debuggers
  • Graphical user interface GUI builder software
  • Haskell
  • JavaScriptHOT
  • Ladder Logic
  • List processing language LISP
  • Microsoft .NET FrameworkHOT
  • Microsoft Visual BasicHOT
  • Microsoft Visual C#
  • Microsoft Visual StudioHOT
  • National Instruments LabVIEWHOT
  • Oracle JavaHOT
  • Profilers
  • PythonHOT
  • Software development tools
 Operating environment software
  • LinuxHOT
  • Microsoft WindowsHOT
  • Real time operating system RTOS software
  • UNIXHOT
  • Wind River Systems VxWorks
  • Windows Embedded Compact
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft VisioHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Video digitizers
 Business function specific software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
 Data management and query software
  • Oracle softwareHOT
  • Structured query language SQLHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Advanced
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Central Virginia Community College
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Mountain Empire Community College
New River Community College
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Rappahannock Community College
Southwest Virginia Community College
Wytheville Community College