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The need for certain technical knowledge when working with robots is a given--even the operators behind the daily work of making sure the production line is moving along as it should have some degree of technical training that helps them get the job done. These so-called “hard skills” are the things you learn in class, or in a training environment, and can be taught from a textbook or through a teacher. But what about those soft skills, the things that we often learn on the job rather than in a classroom or staging area? Robotics engineer skills go well beyond the concrete realms of math and physics, and require a strong understanding of the following areas of focus. What do robotics engineers do, and what soft skills are needed to be a robotics engineer? Read on to find out. 

Soft Robotics Engineer Skills

Critical Thinking

This soft skill could be considered the key to unlocking all of the others, as critical thinking is the natural bridge to every other soft skill necessary in robotics. A critical thinker isn’t just somebody who questions the world they live in, they interrogate every aspect of the task at hand and apply data to determine the best course of action. Critical thinking is necessary in robotics roles in every field. 

Problem-Solving

The field of robotics benefits from a person who can analyze difficulties as they happen and quickly devise solutions. Not every solution will work, and not every idea can be implemented, but there is a clear need in the robotics industry for workers who have the experience and expertise necessary to identify issues, devise possible robotics solutions, and help the robotic team get things moving again. This is true for robotics careers across all levels, from the robotics technicians to the engineers and implementers. 

Leadership

Good leadership is not simply a matter of doing the job of managing fellow robotics workers, but of being a strong team member. Good leaders often rise to the top of the org chart, but they don’t start there--it’s through consistent, directed vision and positive forward momentum in the collaborative environment of a robotics deployment. The need for sound judgment and consistency cuts across all verticals and intersects with every member of the team, and you can’t be a leader without a team, making leadership a critical soft robotics engineer skill.

Good Communication

It is impossible to do good work in any space, let alone robotics, without good communication. The dissemination and quick movement of information is absolutely critical to a successful robotics implementation. If you can’t talk your team members, you can’t do your best. Good communication is not just about this exchange of information--it’s also a hallmark of good teamwork and a positive workplace environment. Employees who can communicate freely can eliminate ambiguities and increase efficiency. In many scenarios, the difference between a good employee and a bad one can come down to the level of skill in communication, helping others to understand your ideas, any issues you see, and other key pieces of information

Strong Work Ethic

Something you’ll often hear from employers is the idea of a strong work ethic and how this is a trait frequently exhibited by the top performers in every category of robotics worker. A dedication to doing good work and a belief in the values and aspirations of the company, and your fellow employees, isn’t taught in any class and you won’t learn about it in school. Someone who shows a strong work ethic is someone who can be trusted to do the job right, every time, the first time. This isn’t a search for perfection but an aspiration to give every task, even the ones that don’t seem important our best efforts.

Attention to Detail

A person who shows the above qualities likely also pays attention to those little, seemingly unimportant parts of their jobs that might get overlooked. To somebody with a detail-oriented perspective, there is no detail too small to consider. Every good job and every exceeded goal is made up of many tiny details that the person behind those successes paid attention to. 

Critical thinking and problem-solving form the foundation for effective leadership in robotics, enabling engineers to navigate complex challenges with innovative solutions. Coupled with good communication, a strong work ethic, and meticulous attention to detail, these skills empower robotics engineers to lead, collaborate, and excel in the fast-evolving field of robotics, ensuring successful outcomes in every project they undertake. While these are skills with universal utility, serving almost any industry, implementing and continuing to improve them in the context of robotics engineer skills will help you to level up your career in robotics. 

Create your profile on roboticscareers.org to discover how your soft skills can advance your career in robotics. 

About The Author

Lisa Masciantonio 

Chief Workforce Officer

Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute 

Lisa Masciantonio is the Chief Workforce Officer for the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute. She joined the ARM Institute in May 2017 as the Director of Membership and Outreach.  She moved to the position of Chief Workforce Officer in 2019 and she is responsible for driving the Education & Workforce Development vision for ARM in conjunction with the ARM membership, the federal and state government partners, and other expert stakeholders. 

Lisa brings with her over 25 years of experience as a performance-driven leader with notable success in cultivating and executing business strategies and formulating long-term strategic client relationships.  She has proven success in developing business solutions, commercialization of products, technology transfer, and technological initiatives that have supported organizational growth, improved staff productivity, and increased value to many communities of practice. Critical to her success is the ability to increase awareness and drive thought leadership position by designing and executing innovative programs as well as developing and launching new, value-add offerings for ongoing competitiveness. Lisa received a Bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University and 2 Master’s degrees from Carnegie Mellon University. 

In 2021, Lisa was recognized as one of 20 world-wide Exceptional Women in Robotics and Automation by SME. In 2022, she was recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times as a Women of Influence and was also part of the inaugural Technical.ly Pittsburgh RealLIST Connectors list, which recognizes the top 100 influential leaders in Pittsburgh tech.