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A robotics technician troubleshoots, operates, configures, and tests robotic equipment. They may perform the first installation of the robot and create the maintenance also. These techs assist in all phases of robotic design, production, and development and collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and robotics engineers. Industrial companies in plastics, energy, communications, manufacturing, technology, and aerospace are common employers.
How to Become a Robotics Technician
Step 1: Get a Degree or Certification
To become a robotics technician you would earn an associate’s degree in robotics technology or attend a trade school to gain a technical certification. When searching for programs, ask if they offer internships or job placement to help get your foot in the door. You may also find a recognized apprenticeship program as well to give you the training and experience you’ll need to get a job.
Step 2: Get Experience
Start gaining robotics experience as soon as possible. You can look for robotics clubs in your community or at your school if you are still a student. It’s important to have as much hands-on experience as possible as this will make you a stronger candidate when applying for positions. Once you have been hired, you will often get on-the-job training for 1-2 years with experienced workers.
Job Description of a Robotics Technician
O*NET OnLine states that a robotics technician typically interacts with computers (both hardware and software) to program, enter data, write software, process information, or set up functions that command a robot. They also repair and maintain electronic equipment, like testing machines, devices, and equipment that operates primarily on the basis of electronic principles.
Robotic technicians must also collect information from the robot by estimating, categorizing, and detecting changes in their circumstances or events. After gathering data from all relevant sources, they analyze the data to evaluate and choose the best solution to solve problems. They often work on a team of colleagues that have mechanical, electrical, and robotics engineering experience to help in all phases of the work. Because of this, these techs must use communication and organizational skills to work with others. They may also be responsible to supervise, manage, or train others as well.
This job is known to have good working conditions, job security, and at least 40 hours of work a week. The Robotic Industries Association (link opens in a new tab) states that a major factor of this is the future of service robotics for professional use and the introduction of the Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model of ownership. It is driven by innovations in machine learning, artificial intelligence, adaptive computing, and vision systems which is causing the market to nearly triple in value, according to the IFR World Robotics 2018 Service Robots report (link opens in a new tab).
Free Teacher and Student Resources
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a Robotics Technician Interview (link opens in a new tab) that students may find helpful to read when exploring this career.
Article Citations
National Center for O*NET Development. 17-3024.01. O*NET OnLine. This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. RethinkOldSchool, Inc. has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
The career video is in the public domain from the U. S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
