Occupation · SOC 17-3024.01
Robotics Technicians
Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.
Median wage
$70,760
$47,770–$109,580
Projected growth
+0.7%
Slower than average
Annual openings
20
per year
Employed (US)
14,680
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
722 mapped
Core skills
TroubleshootingRepairingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingEquipment MaintenanceActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingOperations Monitoring
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyComputers and ElectronicsMechanicalDesignEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Development environment softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareIndustrial control softwareObject or component oriented development software
Representative tasks
Make repairs to robots or peripheral equipment, such as replacement of defective circuit boards, senTroubleshoot robotic systems, using knowledge of microprocessors, programmable controllers, electronInstall, program, or repair programmable controllers, robot controllers, end-of-arm tools, or convey
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Defective circuit boards and basic sensors — identify and replace under direct supervision on a production-floor robotic cell.Service records and maintenance logs — complete and file accurately following established templates in an automated manufacturing environment.Hand tools and power tools — use to align and assemble robotic components under technician guidance on a light-assembly line.Wiring diagrams and technical manuals — read and interpret to connect wires between controllers under close oversight in a controlled shop setting.Preventive maintenance checklists — follow step-by-step to inspect robotic systems and peripheral equipment on a scheduled basis.Basic electronic test instruments — apply to measure voltage, continuity, and signal outputs under supervisor direction on bench-level repairs.Robot controller interfaces — navigate and observe to monitor operational parameters during supervised system start-up procedures.Programmable controller documentation — review and summarize to support senior technicians during installation tasks in an industrial automation setting.Safety protocols and lockout/tagout procedures — demonstrate correctly before entering a robotic work cell under direct technician supervision.Encoder and servomotor components — distinguish by type and function when sorting and staging parts for scheduled maintenance activities.
developing
Faulty circuit boards, sensors, and encoders — diagnose and replace with reduced oversight during routine corrective maintenance on an automated production line.Programmable logic controllers and robot controllers — install and configure following established procedures in a mid-volume manufacturing environment.Robotic system faults — troubleshoot using knowledge of electronics, mechanics, and sensor feedback systems to restore uptime on familiar equipment.End-of-arm tools and conveyor components — adjust, repair, and test independently to meet production specifications in an assembly or warehousing facility.Computer-controlled robot movement programs — modify parameters within approved bounds to accommodate product changeovers on the shop floor.Preventive and corrective maintenance schedules — execute and adapt for multiple robotic cells, documenting outcomes in a digital maintenance database.Hydraulic and pneumatic subsystems — inspect and service using engineering schematics to resolve recurring performance issues in an industrial robot application.Maintenance and repair reports — draft clearly and submit on time, providing accurate technical detail for engineering review in a regulated production setting.Industrial control software and development environment tools — use routinely to upload, test, and verify robot programs after component replacement.Alignment fixtures and microscopes — apply to fit precision components within tolerance during robotic sub-assembly repairs in a technical workshop.
proficient
Complex robotic system failures — troubleshoot autonomously across mechanical, electronic, and software domains to minimize unplanned downtime in a high-throughput manufacturing facility.Programmable controllers, robot controllers, and end-of-arm tooling — install, program, and validate end-to-end without supervision to commission new automation cells.Non-routine sensor, feedback, and motion control faults — analyze using deductive and inductive reasoning to identify root causes on unfamiliar robotic platforms.Robot movement modification requirements — evaluate engineering change requests and implement precise program updates using industrial control and CAD/CAM software in production environments.Full-scope preventive maintenance programs — execute across multiple robot types and generations, identifying systemic wear trends and recommending design improvements.Hydraulic, pneumatic, and servo-drive systems — diagnose interdependencies and resolve cascading failures on integrated automation lines with minimal production impact.Technical service documentation — author comprehensive repair histories, failure analyses, and procedural updates that meet quality management system standards.Cross-functional technical problems — apply systems analysis and complex problem-solving skills to resolve automation issues spanning mechanical, electrical, and software interfaces.CAD and analytical software tools — leverage to model component fits, interpret vibration data, and validate mechanical corrections on precision robotic assemblies.Junior technicians and apprentices — guide through hands-on troubleshooting tasks, transferring practical knowledge of robot electronics and controller architecture on the job.
advanced
Robotics maintenance strategy and preventive maintenance standards — design and implement facility-wide to maximize equipment availability across a multi-cell automated production environment.Technical competency frameworks and training curricula — develop and deliver for robotics technician teams, elevating departmental skill levels across all equipment generations.Capital repair versus replacement decisions — lead evaluation of robotic assets using failure data, lifecycle cost analysis, and production impact metrics for executive reporting.Enterprise-level automation reliability programs — architect and champion, integrating predictive maintenance analytics and IIoT sensor data across industrial facilities.Cross-functional engineering, operations, and vendor teams — direct during complex system commissioning projects, ensuring robot controllers, PLCs, and peripheral equipment meet performance specifications.Robotics safety and compliance standards — establish and enforce across the organization, aligning lockout/tagout, cell guarding, and risk-assessment practices with regulatory requirements.Technology roadmaps for robotics and automation tooling — define in alignment with business growth objectives, selecting platforms, software ecosystems, and integration architectures.Continuous improvement initiatives — lead using quality control analysis and systems thinking to reduce mean-time-to-repair and drive measurable gains in automated line efficiency.Organizational knowledge base — build by codifying advanced troubleshooting procedures, programming standards, and lessons learned into auditable technical documentation systems.Vendor partnerships and service-level agreements — negotiate and manage for robotic systems and components, ensuring parts availability and support responsiveness for production-critical equipment.
Also known as
31 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Instrumentation and Process Controls TechnicianInstrument SpecialistProgrammable Logic Controllers TechnicianAutomation TechnicianRobot TechnicianRobotics MechanicInstrumentation and Controls TechnicianAutomation Control IntegratorField Technician (Field Tech)Field Service TechnicianRobotics TechnologistRobotic WelderElectrical and Instrumentation Technician (E and I Technician)Robotic Weld TechnicianRobotic TechnicianAutomation Controls SpecialistAutomation Controls ExpertElectrical and Instrumentation SpecialistRobot OperatorInstrument TechnicianRobot ProgrammerAutomation TechnologistTest Technician (Test Tech)Equipment Maintenance Technician (Equipment Maintenance Tech)Process Control TechnicianInstrument and Automation TechnicianAutomation Engineering TechnicianAssembly TechnicianSensor TechnicianAutomation Control TechnicianRobotics Technician (Robotics Tech)