Occupation · SOC 17-2199.08
Robotics Engineers
Research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.
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
921 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingSystems AnalysisReading ComprehensionMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningWritingMathematicsActive LearningTroubleshootingTime ManagementQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringTechnology DesignSystems EvaluationLearning StrategiesEquipment MaintenanceCoordinationSpeakingOperations AnalysisScienceProgrammingManagement of Personnel ResourcesEquipment SelectionSocial PerceptivenessPersuasionInstructingRepairingOperation and ControlNegotiationManagement of Financial ResourcesInstallationService OrientationManagement of Material Resources
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyDesignComputers and ElectronicsMechanicalMathematicsEnglish LanguagePhysicsProduction and ProcessingEducation and TrainingPublic Safety and SecurityTelecommunicationsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementChemistryAdministrativeBuilding and ConstructionSales and MarketingCommunications and MediaLaw and GovernmentEconomics and AccountingPersonnel and Human ResourcesForeign LanguageTransportationBiologyPsychologyFood ProductionMedicine and DentistrySociology and AnthropologyGeographyPhilosophy and TheologyTherapy and CounselingHistory and ArcheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
AVEVA InTouch HMIAmazon Web Services AWS softwareAtlassian JIRAAutodesk AutoCADBentley MicroStationCC#C++CODESYSCompilersComputer aided design and drafting CADD softwareComputer aided software engineering CASE toolsComputer-aided engineering CAE softwareConcurrent Versions SystemsDassault Systemes CATIADassault Systemes SolidWorksDebuggersFinite element analysis FEA softwareGRASPIT!GazeboGitGraphical user interface GUI builder softwareHaskellHuman machine interface HMI softwareImage processorsJavaScriptKeb Combivis StudioLaboratory information management system LIMSLadder LogicLinuxList processing language LISPMathWorks SimulinkMicrosoft .NET FrameworkMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft Visual Basic
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsGetting InformationThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeAnalyzing Data or InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentProcessing InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsDocumenting/Recording InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsControlling Machines and ProcessesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsScheduling Work and ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentTraining and Teaching OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping and Building TeamsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCoaching and Developing OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsSelling or Influencing OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentStaffing Organizational Units
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Robot program backups and parameter files — create and organize following established version control procedures in a supervised lab or production environment.Sensor data streams and signal outputs — interpret basic readings under direct supervision to verify robot operational status during test cycles.Robotics debugging tools and development environment software — apply step-by-step troubleshooting protocols to identify syntax errors in robot programs with guidance from senior engineers.CAD software and mechanical drawings — read and reference to support build and configuration tasks on robotic platforms under close supervision.Robot builds and bench-level configurations — assist in assembling and testing robotic components according to documented specifications in a controlled lab setting.Technical support requests and maintenance logs — document and escalate robotic system issues accurately using established ticketing and workflow software under direction.Engineering calculations and cost estimates — review assigned sections for completeness and flag discrepancies for senior review in a project team environment.Mathematics and physics principles — apply foundational concepts such as kinematics and coordinate transformations to assist in routine robotics analysis tasks.Quality control checklists and test procedures — follow systematically to validate robotic subsystem performance against defined acceptance criteria.Engineering standards, technical manuals, and O*NET knowledge domains — read and comprehend to build working familiarity with robotics systems design conventions and terminology.
developing
Robotic system programs — debug independently using development environment and program testing software to resolve logic and motion errors in a manufacturing or research setting.Sensor fusion and signal processing outputs — interpret and process data from multiple sensor types to validate robot perception and feedback loops with reduced oversight.End-of-arm tooling concepts and preliminary designs — develop based on payload and task requirements, applying CAD software to produce initial design drafts for engineer review.Robot builds and integration tests — configure and execute across standard robotic platforms, documenting results and recommending adjustments within a project team.Technical support for robotic systems — provide to production floor technicians and operators, diagnosing hardware and software faults using systematic troubleshooting methods.Design calculations, simulations, and cost estimates — prepare and submit for approval, applying mathematical modeling tools and analytical software to routine robotics projects.Backup and recovery procedures for robot programs and parameters — maintain and verify on a scheduled basis, ensuring operational continuity in automated production environments.Industrial control software and object-oriented development environments — use routinely to write, modify, and test robot application code for defined automation tasks.Systems analysis methods — apply to evaluate interactions between robotic subsystems, identifying performance bottlenecks and recommending targeted improvements.Project schedules and team coordination activities — manage own deliverables and communicate progress clearly in writing and verbally within a multi-discipline engineering team.
proficient
Autonomous robotic system designs — lead end-to-end, specifying architecture for computer vision, advanced sensing, and vehicle control subsystems across full project scope.Complex robotic programs and motion sequences — debug and optimize autonomously, resolving non-routine faults in integrated multi-axis systems within live production or field environments.End-of-arm tooling — design from first principles, selecting materials and actuation methods to meet precision, payload, and cycle-time requirements for specialized industrial applications.Sensor signal processing pipelines — design and validate for real-time performance, integrating data from vision, force-torque, and proprioceptive sensors in autonomous robotic platforms.Design reviews, technical calculations, and cost estimates — evaluate and approve across project deliverables, exercising independent engineering judgment to ensure compliance with safety and performance standards.Technical support escalations and root-cause analyses — resolve for complex robotic system failures, producing written findings and corrective action plans distributed to cross-functional stakeholders.Build, integration, and system-level acceptance testing — plan and execute for novel robotic platforms, interpreting results to authorize deployment in high-consequence environments.Advanced robotics software stacks — develop and maintain using compiler tools, version control systems, and CI pipelines, ensuring code quality and traceability across release cycles.Robotics system performance — monitor continuously using operations-monitoring tools and quality control analysis methods, identifying drift or degradation before system failure occurs.Active learning strategies and knowledge transfer — apply independently to rapidly assimilate emerging robotics technologies, integrating new methods into existing design and development workflows.
advanced
Organizational robotics strategy and technology roadmap — define and champion, aligning autonomous systems development priorities with enterprise-level business objectives and long-range investment plans.Robotic system design frameworks and review processes — establish and institutionalize, setting engineering standards for calculations, cost estimation, and approval workflows across multiple project teams.Emerging sensing, telematics, and autonomous platform architectures — evaluate and direct adoption of, translating novel research into scalable robotic product lines at organizational scale.Cross-functional engineering teams — lead and develop, mentoring robotics engineers at all levels while coordinating deliverables across mechanical, software, and controls disciplines.Enterprise-wide technical support and reliability programs — architect and govern, defining escalation protocols, knowledge-base systems, and continuous improvement metrics for robotic fleet operations.Complex problem-solving methodologies and systems analysis practices — model and disseminate across the organization, raising the collective capability to resolve high-impact, multi-system robotics failures.End-of-arm tooling and robotic platform design standards — author and own, ensuring consistent application of safety regulations, IP protection strategies, and manufacturing best practices firm-wide.Judgment and decision-making frameworks for high-risk robotics deployments — develop and apply, advising executive stakeholders on risk trade-offs in autonomous vehicle, advanced display, and industrial automation programs.Innovation culture and intellectual curiosity — cultivate deliberately within engineering teams, sponsoring research initiatives, patent activities, and external collaboration that advance the state of robotics practice.Organizational knowledge assets including program libraries, design databases, and training curricula — build and steward, ensuring institutional robotics expertise is preserved, accessible, and continuously updated.
Also known as
21 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Algorithm EngineerAutomation EngineerAutonomous Vehicle Design EngineerAutonomy EngineerControls EngineerDesign EngineerFactory Automations EngineerMechatronics EngineerResearch EngineerRobot OperatorRobotic Process Automation AnalystRobotic Systems EngineerRobotics Application EngineerRobotics Controls EngineerRobotics EngineerRobotics Engineering InternRobotics ResearcherRobotics SpecialistRobotics Systems EngineerRobotics Technician (Robotics Tech)RPA Engineer (Robotic Process Automation Engineer)