Ask Amanda: Top Jobs & Societies in Robotics Engineering

By Amanda Keighley

Robotics. It’s a field that is expanding and evolving every day. Besides the actual field of robotics, a robotics engineer has the skills and education to work in a bunch of different industries. Just because the job title doesn’t read “robotics engineer” doesn’t mean the job isn’t for you!

One great thing about being a robotics engineer is the transferability of your skill set. You can apply what you know to work in any field that uses actuators, automation, sensors, or embedded systems. If there’s a machine out there doing work and making its own decisions, a robotics engineer is the right person to oversee those processes.

Here are some of the top jobs held by professionals with a degree in robotics engineering:

• Applications Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Robotics Engineer
• Software Automation Engineer
• Software Engineer
• Systems Engineer

 Source: WPI Career Development Center. See the full list here.

So. You know what you’re looking for in a job description. Now, the big question: who’s hiring?

Since robotics touches many industries, people with robotics engineering degrees are scooped up by a wide range of organizations. At WPI, our alumni are hired in the fields of defense, life sciences, manufacturing, biomedical engineering, and high tech.

Here’s a sampling of where our graduates end up:

 Source: WPI Career Development Center. See the full list here.

Once you’ve got the job, it’s important to stay out in front of innovation and connected to other robotics engineers. Joining a robotics society is a great way to do both! Societies help you gain exposure in the robotics industry, build your network of contacts, and set yourself up for career advancement.

Remember: societies usually aren’t one-size-fits-all. The Internet will be your best friend in finding the community that’s right for you and your goals. Look up local chapters and subscribe to their blogs to see what kind of information and events they promote.

Start with these societies and see where you fit best:

• CollabLab
• Robohub
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers robotics & Automation Society
• Robotic Industries Association
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers
• FIRST Robotics
• Rho Beta Epsilon
• AUVSI

I hope this information has shown that robotics can be your foot in the door to an array of industries and jobs! If you’re looking for more information on how to become a robotics engineer, contact me or check out our programs!

About the Author

Amanda Keighley has worked at WPI for 6 years, with the last 4 years focusing on WPI’s online graduate programs. Previously, she worked in an array of industries from high tech, consumer goods, and publishing, where she worked with clients and conducted market research and analysis, strategic planning, and product launches. Amanda holds a Master of Public Administration and a BS in Management. When she’s not working, you can find Amanda cooking or outside running, hiking, skiing, and spending time with her family.

Looking to get noticed in robotics? Become a robotics engineer!

Research WPI’s online graduate programs in Robotics Engineering

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