Hardware-related jobs
When we think about the cutting-edge field of robotics, it’s easy to picture sleek and intelligent machines gliding through our imagination. But behind the scenes, there’s a bustling world of hardware-related jobs that bring these robots to life. In this step, we’ll delve into the realm of hardware-related robotics jobs.
Before we dive into the details, let’s clarify what hardware-related jobs in robotics entail. In essence, these professionals focus on designing, building, and maintaining the physical components that make robots function. This includes everything from the robot’s frame and mechanical components to its electrical and electronic systems, sensors, and actuators. Hardware design is crucial for robotics and can either constraint or empower the capabilities of a robot.
Essential skills and qualities:
The following key skills and qualities you’ll find essential for hardware-related roles in robotics:
- Mechanical aptitude: proficiency in designing and fabricating the physical components of robots, such as arms, grippers, and chassis. Knowledge of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software like SolidWorks and other related tools.
- Electrical and electronic expertise: Understanding of electrical systems, circuit design, and knowledge of how to interface sensors and actuators with the robot’s central controller.
- Materials and manufacturing knowledge: Familiarity with materials used in robotics and experience in manufacturing processes.
- Programming skills: Basic programming knowledge, especially embedded programming, can be useful, especially when it comes to controlling and calibrating hardware components.
Next, we will briefly look into certain major roles in hardware-related jobs.
Mechanical engineer
A mechanical engineer is responsible for designing and creating the physical components of robotic systems. Such components may involve the robot links and main body, actuators, sensors, and any other physical component of robotic systems.
The skills required for such jobs will usually require proficiency in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software, knowledge of materials science, and an understanding of mechanics.
Electrical engineer
A robot comprises many electrical systems that all work together to make the robot function as designed. The electrical systems are as important as any other robot component. An electrical engineer will usually be tasked with the design and maintenance of electrical systems of the robot, including circuitry, sensor integration and any other electrical system required for the robot to function.
The skills needed for such a job are: knowledge of electrical engineering, circuit design, and expertise in working with microcontrollers.
Robot technician
A robot technician is someone who will install, maintain and repair robots on-site and is responsible to ensure they operate smoothly and efficiently. The difference between a Robot Technician and an Electrical/Mechanical Engineer is that the former works with existing systems, knowing how to install, maintain and repair those systems according to given specifications as opposed to designing and creating new robots.
A robot technician requires fewer qualifications and formal education than the electrical/mechanical engineer, but they have to have excellent troubleshooting skills and good understanding of robotic systems. A robot technician could in fact also be involved with software and required to troubleshoot software related issues too.
Optional: what is the demand for robotics engineers?
There are multiple job opportunities out there for such jobs. It is highly recommended that you do some quick research on the following platforms to find relevant job opportunities for this role:
- LinkedIn Jobs
- Google Jobs
- Glassdoor
For each job listing, look at the must and good-to-have skills and, if available, the salary ranges. Do they pay well? If you find the role interesting, curate a list of the overlapping skills and rank them based on what you feel you lack most. Well done, you have a list of relevant skills to develop!
In the next step, you will have the opportunity to explore research-related jobs.
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