Duties Required of a Robotics Technician

• Robotics technicians are engineering technicians who specialize in electro-mechanical engineering. Robotics technicians build, maintain and repair robots, and they may assist with robot design. They may be responsible for operating robots in automated factories and elsewhere. Robotics technicians provide service throughout the life of the robot to prolong its usefulness and enable it to continue providing increased efficiency in industrial settings.
  
  

Personal Qualities Required of a Robotics Technician

• Successful robotics technicians communicate well and use their creativity to solve problems and contribute to the design of a robot. They should have strong interpersonal skills, and work well as a member of a team. Those who are involved with such activities as making prototype versions of newly designed equipment are expected to be adept at using CADD, computer-aided design and drafting software.
  
  

Skills Required for Robotics Technicians

• Robotics technicians use their background in mechanical engineering and knowledge of electrical and electronic circuits to perform their duties. They should be informed of theoretical approaches to robotics engineering as well as hands-on laboratory methods and standards. Robotic technicians are also expected to have a firm grasp of computer software programming. They should understand the robot manufacturing process and the anatomy of a robot in order to solve technical problems.
  
  

Education Required of Robotic Technicians

• Students interested in pursuing a career as a robotic technician should take courses in mathematics and science on the high school level to prepare for admission to a technical engineering program. Training programs are available at technical schools, community colleges, vocational-technical schools, at the extension division of a university and through the Armed Forces.
  Most employers prefer a candidate with a two-year associate degree or other post-secondary education. The Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology accredits most associate degree programs. Upon completion of an accredited academic program and with several years of supervised experience, robotics technicians can take the NICET exam needed for certification.
  
  

Courses Required of Robotics Technicians

• Programs for robotics technicians generally include coursework in such areas as motion programming, computer networking and integration, and conveyor systems. As a technical engineer, the robotics student may also be required to take courses in steel design, construction estimation, physics, geometry and calculus. Programs vary in their emphasis on theory or practical, hands-on training.