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Robotics is an exciting and still developing field that has a bright future filled with almost endless possibilities on the edge of advancing technology. It's no surprise, then, that more and more people are pursuing careers in robotics. Best of all, there's a path that's right for just about anybody.

For some people, the best path to a career as a robotics engineer is via an internship or an apprenticeship to get hands-on experience. For others, it might start with a 2 year degree or trade school certification. Then there are those who will want to start at a higher position, and they'll spend a lot of time in robotics education programs to earn longer-term degrees.

However, we're not worried about what other people do in this article. We're here to help you find the path that's best suited for you.
 

Internships and Apprenticeships

One of the more common ways to get into robotics engineering is with an internship. With an internship, you can learn on the job while also getting paid (unlike in school). Usually, internships are only offered to those who have completed at least some college coursework related to robotics.

If you want to get an internship in robotics engineering, the best way to start is by research. Look up companies in your area (or even outside of your area that you'd be willing to relocate for) and see if they offer internships. Many times, you can find information about internships on a company's website, but other times you might have to do some extra digging or even call the company directly.
 

Another way to get into robotics engineering is through an apprenticeship. Robotics apprenticeships are similar to internships, but they're usually more hands-on. With an apprenticeship, you'll be working with a mentor who will teach you everything they know about robotics engineering.
 

Apprenticeships are often sponsored by companies or organizations, so they can be a bit harder to find than internships. However, they're definitely worth looking into if you can find them.

Of course, you can find apprenticeships and internships the easy way by using the search tool on RoboticsCareer.org.

2 Year Degrees and Trade School Certifications

For some people, the best way to start their career in robotics engineering is with a 2 year degree, trade school certification, or specialized robotics certification like NC3 certification. These are generally the base qualifications for a robotics technician job, and a great way to begin your career.
 

One advantage of starting with a 2 year degree or trade school certification is that it's usually considerably less expensive than going straight for a 4 year degree. Additionally, you can often get started in your career sooner since these programs generally take less time to complete than 4 year degrees.

If you're interested in a 2 year degree or trade school certification, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure that the program you choose is accredited. This will ensure that it meets the standards of the industry and that your degree or certification will be recognized by employers.
 

Second, make sure that the program covers the topics you're interested in. There's no point in getting a degree or certification in robotics engineering if it doesn't cover the specific area you want to work in.
 

Finally, make sure that the program has a good reputation. Talk to people in the industry and see what they think of the program you're considering. Get as much information as you can before making a decision.

Our list of Endorsed programs covers all of these things, and each one of these programs has been thoroughly vetted by industry experts to provide everything you need for a robotics career. 

If you want to search based on your own preferences, our RoboticsCareer.org search tool consists of a database of robotics and robotics-adjacent programs from all around the country, so you can find one that works for you and your convenience.

Robotics 4+ Year Education Programs

If you want to start your career in robotics engineering at a higher level, you'll need to spend some time in robotics education programs to earn longer-term degrees. These programs can take anywhere from 4 to 6 years to complete, and usually result in a bachelor's degree or higher.

One advantage of starting your career with a 4+ year education program is that you'll generally have more job options available to you, as can be seen in the robotics career pathways. With a longer-term degree with a robotics major, you can typically qualify for jobs that require more responsibility and pay better than entry-level positions, like a role as a robotics specialist.

Additionally, if you're interested in research or teaching, a 4+ year education program may be necessary. If you want to work in academia or as a research scientist, you'll likely need at least a master's degree, and sometimes even a PhD.

Of course, there are some disadvantages to starting your career with a 4+ year education program. The most obvious is that it takes longer to complete, which means you'll have to wait longer to start your career. Additionally, these programs can be quite expensive, so you'll need to make sure you're prepared to take on that cost.

If you're interested in a 4+ year education program, the best place to start is by looking at our database of programs on RoboticsCareer.org.

How to Choose the Right Path for You

Now that you know a bit more about the different paths you can take to start your career in robotics engineering, it's time to choose the right one for you.

The first step is to think about your goals. What do you want to do with your career? Do you want to work as a research scientist? Do you want to teach at the university level? Do you want to design and build robots for manufacturing, or work with them in daily operations?

Your goals will help you decide what kind of path is right for you. If you're interested in research, for example, a 4+ year education program is probably your best bet. If you just want to get started working with robots as a robotics technician, a 2 year degree or trade school certification might be a better option.

A robotics apprenticeship or internship can also be a great way to get your foot in the door, regardless of your educational background. These programs can give you the opportunity to learn about the industry and gain experience working with robots, which can help you decide if it's the right career for you.

Finally, don't forget to consider your budget and your schedule when making your decision. A 4+ year education program will undoubtedly be more expensive than a 2 year program, so you'll need to make sure you're prepared to take on that cost. And remember, a longer program will also take longer to complete, so you'll have to factor that into your decision as well.

The most important thing is to choose the path that's right for you. With so many options available, there's no reason to settle for something that doesn't fit your needs. 

At RoboticsCareer.org, we have a search tool that allows you to sort through thousands of robotics programs from all around the country to find the perfect one for you. You can search for a keyword like “robotics technician,” and then filter the results by location, program format, credential earned, and more. 

Do your research and make an informed decision, and you'll be on your way to a successful career in robotics engineering.

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.