Robotics engineer

We are looking for a robotics engineer with behind-the-scenes designers skills, who is responsible for creating robots and robotic systems that are able to perform duties that humans are either unable or prefer not to complete. Through their creations, a robotics engineer helps to make jobs safer, easier, and more efficient, particularly in the manufacturing industry.

What does a Robotics Engineer do?

A robotics engineer will spend the majority of their time designing the plans needed to build robots. They also design the processes necessary for the robot to run correctly. Some of these professionals are also responsible for designing the machines that actually assemble the robots. Once the design phase has been completed, only then do they move toward assembling the unit.

This type of engineer is responsible for creating several different types of robots that are used to complete a variety of different tasks. Prior to a robot being constructed, the engineer will have first researched and determined exactly what the robot will be used for, and the manner in which it will accomplish its goal. For these professionals, the building process will take a great deal of time. Robots are highly technical and difficult to create, and the task can be very tricky. For this reason it's not uncommon for a robotics engineer to only work on a handful of projects throughout his or her entire career. Professionals in this field need to be very patient.

Typical day-to-day duties include: 

• Building, configuring, and testing robots 
• Designing software systems to control their robotic systems, such as those robots used for manufacturing 
• Designing automated robotic systems that are used to increase the production and precision levels within a specific industry 
• Analyzing and evaluating the prototypes and robotic systems they have created. This is generally a never-ending task, since technology is constantly changing and advancing 
• Reviewing and approving cost estimates and design calculati
• Serving as technical support for the robotic systems they have created 
• Teaching plans paths to robots 
• Performing research into the design, operation and performance of robotic mechanism components or systems

Job Tasks

Debug robotics programs.

• Program robotic equipment.

Provide technical support for robotic systems.

• Advise customers on the use of products or services.

Review or approve designs, calculations, or cost estimates.

• Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.

Install, calibrate, operate, or maintain robots.

• Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
• Install production equipment or systems.
• Operate industrial equipment.

Supervise, technologists, technicians, or other engineers.

• Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.

Process or interpret signals or sensor data.

• Interpret design or operational test results.

Integrate robotics with peripherals, such as welders, controllers, or other equipment.

• Design electromechanical equipment or systems.

Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems.

• Investigate system, equipment, or product failures.

Create back-ups of robot programs or parameters.

• Maintain operational records or records systems.

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 industrial processing systems.

Make system device lists or event timing charts.

• Document technical design details.

Document robotic application development, maintenance, or changes.

• Prepare operational reports.

Plan mobile robot paths and teach path plans to robots.

• Program robotic equipment.

Analyze and evaluate robotic systems or prototypes.

• Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.

Design end-of-arm tooling.

• Design industrial equipment in CAD software (like Solidworks)

Build, configure, and test robots.

• Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
• Design electromechanical equipment or systems.
• Program robotic equipment.

Design robotic systems, such as automatic vehicle control, autonomous vehicles, advanced displays, advanced sensing, robotic platforms, computer vision, or telematics systems.

• Design electromechanical equipment or systems.

Design software to control robotic systems for applications, such as military defense or manufacturing.

• Develop software or computer applications.

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.

• Research advanced engineering designs or applications.

Write algorithms or programming code for ad hoc robotic applications.

• Program robotic equipment.

Conduct research on robotic technology to create new robotic systems or system capabilities.

• Research advanced engineering designs or applications.

Automate assays on laboratory robotics.

• Program robotic equipment.