The Future of Work: Career Paths for Students in Robotics and Automation

We have all heard of the popular belief that automation will take away most jobs. However, in the past, new advancements in technology have created more jobs than they have replaced.

While robotics and automation are changing the nature of work and taking over repetitive and hazardous tasks, they create new opportunities. Traditional low-skill jobs are being replaced and new roles in robot programming, maintenance, and AI integration are emerging. 

This blog covers how robotics and automation are helping different industries and the future career paths for students and working professionals looking to upgrade their skills.

Why Robotics and Automation are key to the future of work

The future of robotics is shaping industries and transforming how they work and operate. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) is powered by artificial intelligence (AI), smart machines, and automation. 

Robots have already been shown to boost output by 20–25% within a few years of adoption in manufacturing. Robots can also handle dangerous and physically demanding jobs, like mining and infectious disease cleaning, and improve workplace safety. 

Moreover, automation helps businesses handle challenges like worker shortages and increased demand. During the COVID-19 pandemic, automation kept operations running with less human contact. This allows workers to focus on higher-value activities that drive innovation. 

Automation also increases the demand for engineers, AI specialists, and robotics professionals who can:

• Develop
• Manage,
• Improve these systems. 

The global robotics market is expected to reach $218 billion by the end of this decade from $76 billion in 2023. For students and working professionals, this means an evolving job market with career opportunities in automation technology, such as:

• AI development
• Robotic system design
• Human-robot collaboration.
• Automation software engineering

Overall, automation and robotics are key to the future of work for skilled professionals in several fields. 

How Robotics and Automation are shaping various sectors

Robots and automation are making many jobs easier, safer, and faster in every sector, including healthcare, logistics and manufacturing. 

• In healthcare, robotic-assisted surgery, like the da Vinci Surgical System, helps doctors perform complex operations with more precision. This means smaller cuts, less pain, and faster recovery for patients. Robotic nurses are also being used to help with patient care and deliver medicine.

• Robots explore dangerous environments for scientific research where humans cannot and collect data. Rescue robots are deployed in disaster zones to search for trapped people, while drones help firefighters by tracking wildfires from above.

• Factories and warehouses are also using more robots. Collaborative robots (cobots) work with people to speed up production and AI-powered warehouse robots help companies like Amazon move packages faster.

• Even in everyday life, smart vacuum cleaners clean homes and customer service robots help answer questions in stores and hotels. Service robots are expected to dominate the sector, with their demand expected to double by 2023.

But why should students and tech professionals look for a career in robotics? The high job demand and competitive salaries, coupled with global opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology and solve real-world problems, make it an attractive choice.

Also Read: Career in Artificial Intelligence in USA

What makes Robotics and Automation an attractive career choice for students

Here are five benefits of starting a career in robotics and automation for students and working professionals with degrees in STEM.

• The demand for automation careers is growing. Many industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and aerospace, need robotics and automation experts. Companies like Tata, Allianz, Google and ABB are also actively hiring professionals in the field.  

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 10% increase in robotics-related jobs, including mechanical and robotics engineers, by 2032. 

• Careers in the Automation and robotics industry are also attractive because of their Interdisciplinary nature. 

The field integrates multiple disciplines, including artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and data science. Those with Software engineering degrees can also look for opportunities in robotics and automation. Glassdoor has ranked roles like Machine Learning Engineer among the 50 Best Jobs in America.

• Robotic careers also pay well across different roles. In India, a robotics engineer with five years of experience earns about INR 15,00,000 per year and an entry-level robotic automation consultant position can offer up to INR 7,00,000 per year. 

Globally too, the salary for robotics and automation professionals is highly competitive. Automation engineers in the USA make on average $97,500 per year. Meanwhile, in Germany, robotics engineers earn about $95,446 annually. 

• Jobs in robotics and automation offer job security and opportunities in multiple countries. Companies in North America and Europe are actively hiring robotics talent. For instance, the Kingspan Graduate Programme offers entry-level automation engineering positions for recent graduates in Germany and Poland.

Moreover, unlike many jobs at risk of automation, careers in robotics and automation are resilient because they require creativity, problem-solving, and specialized technical skills. 

Robotics professionals design, program, and maintain systems, tasks that machines cannot fully automate.

• Automation careers also provide a chance to contribute to solving real-world problems. Robotics professionals are at the forefront of innovation and help to develop solutions for global challenges such as sustainability, healthcare accessibility, and labor shortages. 

People who take up these roles can help design and implement robotic-assisted surgeries to improve patient outcomes or autonomous farming systems to increase food production efficiency.

Note: With high-paying roles, strong international demand, and the chance to work on real-world problems, it’s clear why robotics and automation is an exciting career path. But here’s the thing—getting into this field starts with choosing the right university and finding a way to afford it.

That’s where GradRight can help you every step of the way.

Use GradRight’s university search platform to:

• Discover top robotics and automation programs in the USA, Germany, or anywhere els
• Get matched to universities based on your profile, goals, and budge
• Compare programs using insights like ROI, salary outcomes, and employability data

Once you’ve found the right program, GradRight’s student-loan search platform connects you with 15+ banks and NBFCs that compete to offer you the lowest interest rates

• You upload documents only after seeing real offers
• Get help from GradRight’s experts to negotiate your loan terms
• Take your loan disbursement in as little as 10 days

So whether you’re aiming to study AI-powered robotics or automation design, GradRight helps you get there affordably and confidently.

Now, let’s dive into the next step: what career paths are available for students in robotics and automation?

Career paths for students in Robotics and Automation

A career in robotics and automation includes different titles, which can be categorized into two main roles:

1. The main jobs offered are technical positions that include building, maintaining, and improving robots. While application and business positions help integrate and manage systems.
2. Sales positions encompass the marketing or communications side of robotics. 

Technical Roles (Design, Development, Maintenance)

Application & Business Roles (Integration, Sales, and Management)

Key skills and qualifications for careers in Robotics and Automation

A bachelor of science degree in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science is essential for most engineering roles in robotics and automation. Such a degree, followed by a position at a robotics firm is a popular automation career path.

However, not all careers in robotics require a four or five-year BSc degree. Robotics technicians and support specialists can enter the field with a two-year degree or technical certification. Moreover, the rise of no-code robotics and automation tools is creating new opportunities for those without coding backgrounds.

General qualifications and/or degrees to get into the field include:

• B.Tech or B.E. in Robotics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical/Electronics Engineering
• Computer Science or Software Engineering
• B.Tech or B.E. in Automation
• B.Tech or B.E. in Mechatronics (both electrical and mechanical engineering)

Moreover, different roles require different skills. If you want to work as a robotics technician or technical support specialist, you will need to understand basic mechanical and electronic systems. You should also know how to maintain and repair robots. Following best practices in manufacturing and managing automation systems is also important.

Therefore, studying software, electrical and mechanical engineering is at the heart of a robotics career. But soft skills like critical thinking, adaptability, and teamwork are also important. Here are three main categories of skills for a career in robotics and automation:

• Technical Skills: Strong programming knowledge in Python, C++, and ROS (Robot Operating System) is essential for automation and AI-driven robotics. Mechanical and electrical engineering skills help in designing and maintaining robotic systems.
• Mathematical and Analytical Skills: Understanding algebra, calculus, and control theory are important skills for robotics design and motion control. AI and machine learning applications in robotics also require strong data analysis skills.
• Communication and Problem-Solving Skills: Robotics is multidisciplinary and requires teamwork and creative problem-solving to understand the issues the robot is looking to solve. Conversations with business stakeholders and users are also a part of developing and refining robotics solutions.

If you want to specialize in areas like artificial intelligence or advanced robotics, a master’s degree (M.Tech or M.S. in Robotics, AI) can be helpful. Certificate courses are another flexible path to better job opportunities and higher pay.

Several global universities offer specialized certification programs. For example, the seven-month ‘Modeling and Simulation of Multibody Systems’ by UCLouvain, one of Europe’s oldest universities, is available online on EdX.

Here are some other areas students and working professionals can explore through short-term courses:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
• Control Systems and Electronics
• Automation and Industrial Robotics
• Embedded Systems and Sensor Technology
• Human-Robot Interaction and Behavioral Science

However, just studying is not enough for a career in robotics. Hands-on experience is key. Internships, projects, and co-op programs help you apply what you learn and make you more attractive to employers.

Also Read: Master’s (MS) in Artificial Intelligence: Top Universities, Rankings, Fees, Eligibility & More

Tips for students interested in Robotics and Automation careers

1. Build a strong foundation. Start with basic engineering and programming skills before specializing in areas like AI, control systems, or automation. For example, learning Arduino programming can help you understand how robots interact with their environment before diving into advanced AI or automation.
2. Look for internships, apprenticeships, or personal projects to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. For instance, robotics competitions (e.g., FIRST Robotics), workshops, or building personal projects like DIY robotic arms can improve practical experience. Networking with professionals in the field and searching for mentorship opportunities is also a great way to update skills.
3. The robotics and automation industry is dynamic and 61% of robotics engineers change jobs every two years or less. Update your knowledge about new technologies and industry trends with short-term Technical certifications in automation tools, Internet of Things (IoT), or AI from platforms like Coursera, EdX or Udemy. Many globally recognized universities also offer online courses like the University of Pennsylvania’s 12-week course ‘Robotics: Dynamics and Control.’ This can help you land high-paying robotics jobs.
4. Pick schools or programs that offer hands-on experience with modern robotics equipment. In India, IIT Madras offers the ‘Interdisciplinary Dual Degree programme in Robotics,’ which is covered within five semesters of a five-year degree. Facilities at the campus include collaborative and industrial robots with modular automation systems.
5. Lastly, find your niche. Identify what excites you most (hardware, AI, programming, etc.) to shape your career path effectively.

In conclusion, robotics and automation are shaping the future of work. The advancements in technology are creating exciting career opportunities and those interested in this field should focus on building strong technical skills with hands-on experience.
Robotics and automation cannot replace human jobs in all fields and it is also important to learn about the rules, ethics, and where automation works best.

FAQs

1. What are the best universities for robotics and automation courses?

The National Institute of Robotics & Artificial Intelligence (NIRA) in India offers different postgraduate programs in robotics and automation. Other top institutions include IIT Delhi, Roorkee and Madras

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) and Imperial College London (UK) are two top global options for robotics and automation courses. 

 2. How does a career in robotics compare to other engineering fields?

Robotics combines mechanical design, electronics, AI, and programming and offers broader career opportunities, unlike other engineering fields that focus on specific domains (e.g., civil or electrical). It offers higher earning potential and interdisciplinary learning.

 3. What industries are hiring robotics and automation professionals?

Industries hiring robotics and automation professionals include manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, agriculture and aerospace. The green technology sector also offers automation jobs for students in renewable energy, smart grid systems, and sustainable manufacturing.