Occupation · SOC 17-2199.05
Mechatronics Engineers
Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.
Median wage
$117,750
$62,840–$183,510
Projected growth
+2.1%
Slower than average
Annual openings
330
per year
Employed (US)
150,750
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
920 mapped
Core skills
Judgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingWritingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingSystems EvaluationMonitoringMathematicsSystems AnalysisTechnology DesignScienceOperations MonitoringOperations AnalysisLearning StrategiesActive LearningTime ManagementQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlInstructingCoordinationService OrientationPersuasionSocial PerceptivenessManagement of Personnel ResourcesNegotiationProgrammingEquipment SelectionTroubleshootingManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesInstallationEquipment MaintenanceRepairing
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyDesignProduction and ProcessingMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingPublic Safety and SecurityAdministrativeAdministration and ManagementBuilding and ConstructionEconomics and AccountingChemistryTelecommunicationsCustomer and Personal ServiceCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesTransportationPsychologyLaw and GovernmentForeign LanguageBiologySales and MarketingSociology and AnthropologyFood ProductionMedicine and DentistryGeographyPhilosophy and TheologyTherapy and CounselingHistory and ArcheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
AVEVA InTouch HMIArtisan StudioAutodesk AutoCADAutodesk AutoCAD MechanicalCC++Computer aided design CAD softwareComputer aided manufacturing CAM softwareComputer assisted software engineering CASE softwareDassault Systemes CATIADassault Systemes DymolaDassault Systemes SolidWorksDebuggersDisk file systemsFinite element method FEM softwareHardware description language HDLIBM RationalKeysight Intuilink Connectivity SoftwareLinuxMSC Software AdamsMSC Software NastranMagellan FirmwareMathWorks SimulinkMentor Graphics VeSys DesignMicrochip MPLAB Integrated Development Environment (IDE)Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft Visual BasicMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordModelicaNational Instruments LabVIEWOracle JavaPTC Creo ParametricProgrammable logic controller PLC softwarePythonRapid prototyping software
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersGetting InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationThinking CreativelyMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsProcessing InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationAnalyzing Data or InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersTraining and Teaching OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCoaching and Developing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesControlling Machines and ProcessesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeoplePerforming Administrative ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsAssisting and Caring for OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming for or Working Directly with the Public
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Mechanical design documents — draft and organize for parts and subassemblies using CAD software under the direction of a senior engineer in an industrial engineering environment.Engineering specifications and standards — read and interpret to support design tasks for mechatronic components within a supervised project team.Sensor and actuator datasheets — review and summarize to assist in component selection for motion control and position-sensing applications under technical guidance.CAD models and assembly drawings — create and revise for standard mechanical parts using employer-approved templates in a manufacturing design office.Technical project files — maintain and update by logging design revisions, test results, and correspondence in a document management system under supervision.Material properties databases — consult to identify candidate materials for mechatronic system components when directed by a project engineer.Prototype test procedures — execute following established protocols and record data accurately in a controlled laboratory or production environment.Basic control logic — implement in industrial control software for simple automation sequences under close mentorship on an entry-level automation project.Engineering calculations — perform routine mathematical and physics-based computations to verify design parameters within defined scope and under review.Technical progress reports — write clearly and concisely to communicate findings and status updates to project supervisors in a multidisciplinary engineering team.
developing
Mechanical design documents — develop independently for multi-part assemblies and finished products, ensuring dimensional accuracy and compliance with industry standards on mid-complexity industrial projects.Precision equipment designs — produce for moderately complex controlled applications, applying tolerance analysis and materials knowledge with limited oversight in an automated manufacturing environment.Automation system architectures — design for routine industrial tasks, selecting appropriate actuators, controllers, and communication protocols based on established engineering principles.Sensor and communication technologies — research, evaluate, and select for motion control and pressure-sensing subsystems, documenting justification in technical reports for peer review.Design solutions — implement and conduct structured functional tests, troubleshoot discrepancies, and iterate designs in a product development or systems integration setting.Material selection rationale — apply by systematically evaluating mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of candidate materials to suit specific mechatronic design requirements.Mechatronic automation solutions — apply to material handling workflows, configuring and validating transfer systems for components or finished goods in a production facility.CAD and CAM software — use proficiently to generate manufacturing-ready models and toolpath programs for precision mechatronic parts in a machine shop or fabrication environment.Technical project files — manage and maintain version-controlled documentation across project milestones, ensuring traceability and regulatory compliance in an engineering department.Systems performance — monitor during commissioning and early operation, identify deviations from specification, and recommend corrective actions in an automated industrial setting.
proficient
Advanced precision equipment — design autonomously for high-accuracy or tightly controlled applications, integrating mechanical, electronic, and software subsystems in aerospace, robotics, or semiconductor manufacturing environments.Industrial automation system designs — engineer end-to-end, encompassing control logic, network architecture, and safety interlocks, for complex multi-station production lines without supervisory oversight.Sensor, communication, and control device selection — lead the full evaluation and specification process for sophisticated motion control and electronic communication systems across diverse project types.Mechatronic design documents — author and validate comprehensive documentation packages including drawings, BOMs, FMEAs, and interface control documents for regulatory or customer submission.Non-routine design failures and performance issues — diagnose using systematic root-cause analysis and advanced simulation tools, developing and validating corrective solutions in a production or R&D environment.Materials and component trade-off analyses — conduct at full system scope, balancing cost, performance, manufacturability, and lifecycle considerations for novel mechatronic product lines.Automated material transfer systems — design and commission, optimizing throughput, reliability, and safety for complex logistics or assembly automation in industrial facilities.Cross-domain system evaluations — perform to assess whether integrated mechanical, electrical, and software systems meet performance targets, leading structured verification and validation campaigns.Object-oriented and embedded software solutions — develop and integrate for real-time control applications, applying software engineering best practices within mechatronic product development cycles.Technical knowledge — apply through active learning of emerging automation technologies, independently synthesizing scientific literature and standards to inform design decisions on leading-edge projects.
advanced
Mechatronic engineering strategy — define and champion across the organization, setting technical direction for automation, precision systems, and product innovation to align with long-term business objectives.Engineering design frameworks and standards — establish and govern for mechanical, control, and embedded software development, ensuring consistency, quality, and compliance across multiple concurrent programs.Complex system architectures for industrial automation — conceive and approve at enterprise scale, guiding cross-functional teams through requirements definition, architecture trade studies, and final design decisions.Engineering talent and capability — develop by mentoring junior and mid-level mechatronics engineers, designing professional development pathways and technical training programs within the organization.Advanced research initiatives — lead by directing applied research into emerging sensor technologies, AI-driven control, and smart manufacturing systems that expand organizational competitive advantage.Organizational automation roadmaps — create and present to executive leadership, translating mechatronic engineering capabilities into capital investment recommendations and operational improvement plans.Cross-functional project portfolios — oversee across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain, resolving systemic technical risks and resource conflicts to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.Industry standards and best practices — influence by contributing to external technical committees, publishing findings, and representing the organization in professional engineering bodies and regulatory forums.Make-or-buy and technology partnership decisions — lead by evaluating supplier capabilities, licensing opportunities, and build-versus-buy trade-offs for critical mechatronic subsystems at the enterprise level.Engineering culture of innovation and dependability — foster by institutionalizing rigorous design review processes, failure analysis disciplines, and continuous improvement practices across the engineering organization.
Also known as
24 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Applications EngineerAutomation Application EngineerAutomation DesignerAutomation EngineerControl Integration EngineerControl Systems EngineerControls Engineering SpecialistDesign Engineer (Design Eng)Electro-Mechanical EngineerElectro-Mechanical Systems Control EngineerEngineerEquipment EngineerIntelligent Systems EngineerMechanical Systems Control EngineerMechatronic EngineerMechatronics EngineerProcess Controls EngineerProcess Development EngineerProject EngineerResearch and Development Engineer (R and D Engineer)Robotics Technician (Robotics Tech)System Development EngineerSystems EngineerTest Engineer