Robotics engineers design, build, and maintain robotic systems that solve real-world problems. You'll work with computers and mechanical systems, combining creative thinking with technical problem-solving. This role requires a bachelor's degree and strong analytical skills.
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Robotics engineers design and develop robotic systems for manufacturing, healthcare, research, and other industries. You work with computers to program and simulate robot behavior, make decisions about system design, and analyze data to improve performance. Your day involves getting information from stakeholders, thinking creatively about solutions, and staying current with new technologies. You'll also update and maintain systems as needs change, combining mechanical knowledge with electronics and software expertise.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Robotics Engineers earn a median of $122,930 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 9,300 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Your coursework will cover engineering and technology, design, computers and electronics, mechanical systems, and mathematics. During your studies, develop strong critical thinking and reading comprehension skills. Hands-on experience through internships or projects helps you apply classroom learning to real robotics work. This considerable preparation takes time, but it opens doors to a specialized, in-demand field.
Most robotics engineers earn a bachelor's degree, though some pursue advanced degrees for specialized roles. The path is straightforward but demanding, so if you're weighing your options and timeline, Pathly can map the robotic engineer path that fits you and turn it into a step-by-step plan with your counselor.
Many robotic engineers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to practical, hands-on problem-solving with technology. You think logically about how systems work and enjoy building or improving things through engineering.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).