Robotics engineer

Robotics engineers design and build machines to do automated jobs in industries like manufacturing, aerospace and medicine.


Typical Salary

£27,500 – £54,000

per year

Working Hours

37–40

hours per week

Career Area

Engineering professionals

View related courses

Day-to-day tasks

As a robotics engineer you could:

  • design automated systems using computer software
  •  build, program and test prototypes and fix faults
  •  analyse data from robot sensors, instruments and cameras
  •  report on risks, issues and project progress
  •  research news ways to use robots and artificial intelligence

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a robotics engineer to be a green job, you could:

  • build and fix robots in the renewable energy sector
  •  design robots using biodegradable materials
  •  use robotic components that are easy to recycle

Find out more about green careers

Skills needed

  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
  • maths knowledge
  • design skills and knowledge
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

Career progression

You could become a lead engineer and be responsible for managing projects.

You could also specialise in a particular area of robotics, for example:

  • self-driving vehicles
  •  space exploration
  •  surgical instruments
  •  deep ocean research
  •  advanced manufacturing