Guide to

CAREERS IN
ROBOTICS 2019
Table of Contents

The Robotics Job Market 2

Industry Demand 4
Robotics Applications 5
Education and Career Prospects 6
Growing Companies 8
Conclusion 9

1
The Robotics Job Market

“Finding an all-encompassing Welcome to the world of robotics! It’s a That sounds like a pretty enticing
definition of a robot is actually field that is already experiencing hyper- proposition! But before we get ahead of
a difficult problem, even for growth, and it’s set for an even greater ourselves, let’s answer a fundamental
world-class roboticists. future. Over the next decade, robots are set question first—what is a robot? It’s a
Form-factors, intelligence, and to revolutionize countless industries—from question that is surprisingly hard to find a
the purpose of robots can all aerospace and logistics, to manufacturing, clear answer to.
vary significantly. And yet the automotive industry, and security.
many of us think we know a If your mind instantly goes to a vision of
robot when we see one.” That makes it a great time to pursue a one of the thousands of robots from
—Harvard Business Review career in robotics. Right now, major science fiction, you probably aren’t alone.
employers are competing to land the best And actually, your vision may not be that
robotic talent, with far more vacancies than far from reality!
qualified candidates. This means that if you
have the right practical experience and Whatever robots look like, there is no
skills, you can take your pick from a wide shortage of tech companies interested in
range of exciting, high-paying roles. pursuing research and development in

2
“The real-world definition of robotics. For instance, American Robotics, a Such goals underscore the rising interest
“robot” is just as slippery as non-profit founded by Carnegie Mellon in robotics across multiple industries and
those fictional depictions. Ask University, is leading the Advanced help to ensure that a career in robotics is a
10 roboticists and you’ll get 10 Robotics Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, an great choice for job seekers around the
answers. But they do agree on organization whose stated 10-year goals world.
some general guidelines: A include:
robot is an intelligent, There are many specialties in the
physically embodied machine. • Increasing worker productivity field of robotics, including machine
A robot can perform tasks by 30 percent automation, medical robotics, cybernetics,
autonomously. And a robot can • Ensuring that 30 percent of small quantum mechanical systems, air traffic
sense and manipulate its to midsize enterprises adopt management, and more. The huge
environment.” robotic technology range of opportunities to work on—and
— WIRED • Creating 510,000 new manufacturing move between—intriguing projects in
jobs in the US multiple industries is a big draw for
• Providing an ecosystem in which those interested in a robotics career. It is
major industrial robotics manufacturers truly an industry growing in complexity
will emerge and opportunity, so long-term growth
prospects for robotics engineers are
incredibly strong.

3
Industry Demand

The robotics field is currently among the fastest growing Types of Robots
industries in the world. Investment in the space is surging, as
companies and whole industries ramp up spending to keep
their technology at the leading-edge. As a result, people with
advanced, practical robotics experience are in extremely high
demand in the labor market.

According to CB Insights, 2018 saw a huge rise in funding Industrial Robots

within the robotics space, with a 60% increase in dollars
Heavy-duty automation for dangerous jobs;
invested in the industry. common in auto production since the 1960s.

“According to the US Bureau of Labor, the field of robotics

engineering is projected to grow by 4% through 2024 while
the field of robotics technicians is expected to grow by 1%.”
- HIRED

Top 5 Robotics markets, representing 73% of 2017 total Cobots

robotics sales volume.[1]
Sensor-laden collaborative robots that can
work alongside humans.
UNITED STATES
GERMANY SOUTH KOREA

JAPAN AGVs/AMRs
Autonomous guided vehicles for material
transport within the warehouse or shop floor.
CHINA

4 [1] Robotics Industries Association

Robotics Applications

Almost any industry you could think of is already using

robotic technologies, and more are joining them every day.
This means there are nearly endless opportunities to work
on cutting-edge projects in whatever industry you like!

Industrial manufacturing

Warehouse picking and packing

Consumer goods assembly

Food service

Agriculture

Explosives disposal

Medical surgery

Self-driving cars

5
Education and Career Prospects

“Main responsibilities as a According to Study.com, there are two There are many specialties in the
robotics engineer include common levels of robotics specialists: field of robotics, including machine
approving designs and technicians and engineers. automation, medical robotics, cybernetics,
formulas, debugging programs, quantum mechanical systems, air traffic
performing maintenance on Technicians may begin working with an management, and more. The huge range
robots, synching them to other associate’s degree and continue their of opportunities to work on—and move
devices and managing a team of education and skills training on the job or between—industries is a big draw for
engineers.” in further study, to build their exposure to those interested in a robotics career. It
–Electrical Contractor robotics tools and skills. is an industry growing in complexity
and opportunity, so long-term growth
Engineers often begin with a bachelor’s prospects for robotics engineers are
degree then build their practical experience strong.
working on projects. There are also many
more entrants to the world of robotics
who come through a less “traditional”
route, building on their skills in areas
like programming, data, AI, or something
entirely different!

6
Educational Requirements and Salary and Compensation for Popular
Robotics Career Path Robotics Jobs

Robotiq notes that to start a career in Robotics, at a Avg salary in US: $96,400-$102,115/yr.[2]

minimum, you should start with a strong understanding

of Mathematics and Physics. Other subjects to add to Skills:

your studies: • Reinforcement learning

• Computer Science

• Computer Science • Programming languages including C++, ROS,

• Information Systems Gazebo, and robotic algorithms

• Product Design • Machine learning

• Design and Technology • Computer vision

• Various Engineering specialties such as

Bioengineering, Electronics, Mechatronics, and
Mechanical Engineering

7 [2] Indeed and Glassdoor

Growing Companies in Robotics and
Autonomous Systems

iRobot Robby Technologies

A brainchild of robotics pioneer Rodney Brooks, iRobot Robby Technologies builds self-driving robots aimed
has become one of the leading global consumer robot at making “last-mile deliveries” to customers. Its first-
companies. It produces Roomba, the vacuuming robot, generation robots have already served hundreds of
and other home robots. customers in California.

GreyOrange Geek+ Inc.

GreyOrange has rapidly become a multinational robotics Based in Beijing, Geek+ is a rising star when it comes to
company through its focus on building advanced building robots for logistics and warehousing, combining AI
robotics systems for warehouses, fulfillment centers, and and advanced robotics techniques.
distribution.

Boston Dynamics Unit Dose One

Boston Dynamics started as a spin-off from MIT, and has From its base in Poland, Unit Dose One has created a robotic
since become world famous for building the first robots pharmacy, designed to be used in hospitals to take care of
that can run and maneuver like animals. individual patients’ medicine doses.

Rethink Robotics Epson Robots

Now part of HAHN Group, Rethink Robotics has built a A leader in industrial robotics, Epson Robots has been
reputation for building collaborative robots, designed to building high-precision, specialized robots for numerous
help manufacturers automate tasks on the factory floor. industries for over 35 years.

8
Conclusion

Exploring Your Options

in Robotics
Robotics is a fast-growing field with a
plethora of exciting specialties, industries,
and companies to explore. If you relish
problem-solving in a fast-paced, innovative
environment, and you want to work on
projects that will change the world, robotics
may just be the career for you.

To start learning the skills and building

the portfolio of projects you’ll need to
land a career in robotics, take a look at the
Robotics Software Engineer Nanodegree
program from Udacity. It's tailored to meet
the exact needs of companies recruiting
new talent in the robotics field—focusing
on core robotics skills like ROS, Gazebo,
C++, and robotic algorithms.