ロボットエンジニアはしんどい?ロボットエンジニアの魅力や向いている人の特徴も紹介Is it hard to be a robot engineer? Learn about the appeal of robotics engineering and who is suited for the job.

Robot engineers, who are responsible for tasks ranging from robot-related design, development, and operation to maintenance, have an attractive job that enriches people's lives. However, some people may be hesitant to change jobs because they hear that "robot engineers have a tough job" or "the work is hard.

In this article, we will explain the attractiveness of the job and the basic job description, in addition to the reasons why robot engineers are said to have a tough job. We will also introduce the characteristics of people who are suited for robot engineering, so please refer to this article if you are interested in becoming a robot engineer.

The following are some of the reasons why the job of a robotics engineer is considered "tough" or "hard".
 

• Requires advanced knowledge and skills
• Knowledge needs to be acquired as technology advances
• Overtime work is required in some cases to meet deadlines
• Teamwork is important

Each of these is explained below.

Advanced knowledge and skills specific to robot engineers are required

Robot engineers are responsible for a series of tasks from design to maintenance. Therefore, advanced knowledge and skills are required. For example, the following skills are required.
 

• Programming skills
• Mechanical engineering
• Information engineering
• Electrical and electronic engineering
• Ideas and imagination, etc.

Since all kinds of knowledge are required, acquisition requires a long period of study and practical skills. For example, programming skills required for robot engineers include Python, Java, ROS, C language, and C++. If you are coming from another engineering background, you will have some programming skills. However, if you have not learned the languages required for robot development, you will have to learn them anew.

Knowledge of mechanical engineering such as mechanics, thermodynamics, material science, and fluid mechanics is also essential for a robot to work properly, and there are certifications such as the CAD user engineer exam and the machine design engineer exam, so keep learning as you set your goals.

As you can see, acquiring a variety of knowledge is essential to becoming a robot engineer. It takes a lot of effort and time to learn, which is why some people may find it "tough".

You have to constantly acquire knowledge as technology advances.

The job of a robotics engineer requires the ability to keep up with technological advances. In recent years, a variety of the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence and IoT, have combined to create new advancements. Cooperative robots that support work in the same space as people and robots that can communicate with people are also being put to practical use.

In this way, technology continues to advance and evolve, so there is a need to keep learning. The difficulty of continuing to learn may cause some people to feel that it is too much work.

There are times when you have to work overtime to meet deadlines.

In some cases, robot engineers are pressed for time to meet project deadlines and may be required to work long hours. During busy periods, such as just before or just after deadlines, there will be cases where you will have to work overtime or work on holidays.

In addition, the IT industry is said to have a shortage of human resources, according to the "Robot System Integrator (Robot SIer) Industry Survey Report" released in 2017 by Gakujyo Corporation and Parsol Research Institute Co.
According to the "Survey Report on Human Resource Availability in the Robot System Integrator (Robot SIer) Industry," released in 2017 by Gakumei Corporation and Parsol Research Institute, Inc. Therefore, approximately 90% of companies feel that there is a shortage of robot engineers.

According to the "Survey on IT Human Resource Supply and Demand" by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the results show that there will be a shortage of up to approximately 790,000 human resources by 2030. It can be predicted that there will continue to be a shortage of engineers in the future. If the shortage continues, overtime work will not decrease, so there will be more cases of people working long hours, which will be physically and mentally demanding for some.

Teamwork will also be important.

Robotics engineers, like other engineers, are in a position that requires communication. Because they work in collaboration with other engineers and specialists, not only is smooth communication necessary, but also cooperation and teamwork are required.

There are cases where disagreements arise, and coordination requires time and energy. There may be times when work does not proceed as expected and stress builds up.

Robotics engineering is a job that requires advanced knowledge and skills and an effort to keep learning. While it is a demanding job, it also has many attractions. We will explain what the appeal of this job is.

Direct involvement with cutting-edge technology

Robotics engineers are directly involved with cutting-edge technology. Robots with new performance and functions are appearing one after another in the world, and IT technology is advancing so rapidly that if you do not keep your antennae up and pursue knowledge, you will end up with robots that are out of date.

To develop robots that are in demand, it is essential to acquire knowledge and information on a daily basis. If you become a robot engineer, you can actually be involved in the development of the robot as an engineer, so this job allows you to be deeply involved in cutting-edge technology. It is a rewarding job where you can feel your own growth and learn new things through your work.

The robots we make can help others.

There are various types of robots.
 

• Industrial: Used in manufacturing and factory settings
• Agricultural: Used in agricultural fields
• Welfare: Used in nursing care settings
• Construction: Used in construction sites
• Medical: Used at medical sites
• Household: Used in daily life

As shown above, we can support the lives and work of many people in a wide range of fields. Since you can help someone, you can feel that you are contributing to society and users, and this job is very rewarding.

You can build a sense of teamwork with your colleagues.

One of the most attractive aspects of being a robotics engineer is that you can build a sense of teamwork with your colleagues. The work of a robotics engineer is diverse. In addition to designing and developing robots, they also include experimentation, verification, and maintenance, which means that no one person can do it alone. In some cases, work is carried out in groups divided into robot parts and development processes, and in other cases, projects are carried out in cooperation with other departments and overseas developers.

Therefore, we often work with an awareness of teamwork, and this job allows us to realize the importance and enjoyment of cooperation. The sense of accomplishment you feel when you accomplish a project together with your colleagues can be very rewarding.

Aim for high income

Robotics engineers can aim for a high income. According to the "Annual Income, Hourly Wage, and Salary for Robot Engineer Jobs" survey by Jobbox, a job search service provider, the average annual income of robot engineers is 4.31 million yen for full-time employees, and according to the "Results of the 2022 Statistical Survey of Private Sector Salaries" released in 2023, the average annual income of robot engineers is 4.58 million yen, which is slightly lower than the average annual salary for robot engineers.

However, looking at the overall salary range, which is wide from 3.22 million yen to over 7.91 million yen, it appears that there are differences in income depending on the company you work for, your experience, and the skills and qualifications you possess. It can be inferred that this is an occupation where one can expect to increase their income by acquiring the skills and qualifications that the company is looking for.

Future Prospects

The robotics field has a promising future. As mentioned above, robots provide support in a variety of fields, including industrial, agricultural, welfare, and medical applications. As manpower shortages become more serious, companies may face a variety of problems, such as a lack of human resources to provide training and the inability to pass on skills.

However, the use of robots can not only solve the shortage of human resources, but also improve work efficiency. In some cases, robots can take over dangerous or difficult tasks. For example, in the case of automobile production lines, there are tasks that could lead to health hazards or industrial accidents, such as sparks from welding and dust from the painting process, and industrial robots are being introduced.

As technological innovation expands the range of applications, we can expect demand for robots to continue to grow in a wider range of fields.

As mentioned above, robot engineers are responsible for a series of tasks related to robot development, including robot design and maintenance. Here are some of the main tasks performed by robot engineers.

Formulation of robot specifications and applications

In the formulation of robot specifications and applications, robot requirements are defined. In addition to conducting market research to understand the needs of the target market and users, and to dig deeper into the types of robots and their main functions, if requested by the client, we listen to their requests for tasks they want the robot to perform and what problems they want the robot to solve.

Since different clients have different purposes for which they want us to develop and introduce robots, our listening skills are indispensable to fulfill their wishes. In addition, imagination to understand problems and issues and the ability to think of ideas to solve them are also necessary.

Robot design and development

We design and develop robots based on the plans created in the specification and application formulation process.
 

• Sensors, motors
• Intelligence, control
• Drive

It is common for the work to be divided into three teams: the To ensure that the work is carried out smoothly, we share information as we proceed with development and design. We also need a management role to organize each team. We will also conduct interactions to cooperate with other departments while keeping an eye on the overall picture.

Experimentation and verification of robots

This is the work to check if there are any problems when the developed robot is released to the market. After checking that the robot operates according to the specifications, we conduct demonstration experiments to simulate the practical use of the robot. If there are any deficiencies, not only will the robot not be able to fulfill its intended role, but it may also affect third parties.
If a robot is developed for nursing care and put on the market with insufficient checks, there is a risk of injury to the user. Therefore, before putting the robot on the market, it must be tested to see if it can fulfill its intended role and if it can operate safely.

For example, if the robot is used in agriculture, it may be used outdoors, so we check whether it can operate without problems even when exposed to rain, wind, or sunlight. It is also an important role of robot engineers to adjust robots that work without problems by repeating demonstration tests.

Maintenance and servicing of robots

After conducting experiments and verifications of the robot, if there are no problems, the robot is distributed to the market as a product. However, the role of robot engineers does not end there. Ongoing maintenance is required even after the robot has been placed on the market. Maintenance is also essential to ensure stable robot operation and product longevity.

For example, even a sturdy robot may experience problems due to replacement of consumable parts or friction of parts after a certain period of use. To ensure continued normal operation, a regular inspection schedule must be established to replace or repair necessary parts.

However, the robot is generally stopped during maintenance and servicing. Because of the concern that the company's work may be delayed, the robot engineer must perform the work promptly.

Some of you may be wondering, "Am I suited to be a robotics engineer?" Here are some characteristics of people who are suited for robotics engineering. Check if any of the following apply to you.

People who are good at adopting and applying new technologies

As mentioned above, robot engineers need a variety of knowledge and skills. They need a wide range of knowledge, including programming skills, mechanical engineering, information engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, and the ability to think out of the box and use their imagination, and they must make an effort to learn in order to understand and apply this knowledge to their work. However, learning the necessary knowledge is not the end of the process; you must also have the ability to apply it to the latest technology, which is advancing every day.

Technology is advancing rapidly in the IT field. In order to develop and create products that meet your needs, you need to be able to apply yourself to catch up with the latest technology and incorporate it into your development. A person who is flexible and adaptable enough to incorporate technology into development even as it continues to evolve is suited to be a robot engineer.

People who like tinkering with machines and making things

Robot development is a type of manufacturing. It involves not only creating robots from scratch to meet the needs of the field and the market, but also improving existing products, designing new products, and developing new products by taking over existing concepts.

In both cases, the work involves creating robots, so it is important to have a love of making things and tinkering with machines. If this is the case, you may be suited to be a robot engineer.

People who are good at keeping up with steady work

Robotics engineering involves a lot of steady work, so this type of work is suited to people who are good at keeping up with steady work. The robot's operation and programming are checked over and over again before delivery. Designing and programming involve detailed work, so if you do not feel pain in repeating meticulous work, you are a person who can contribute to robot development.

Robot engineers play an important role in enriching our lives. If you are considering a career change from another IT industry, you may need to acquire new knowledge and skills, but it is a job with a good future, a high income potential, and a chance to help others. If you fit the characteristics of those who are suited for robotics engineering as described in this article, you should definitely consider a career change.

If you do, consider utilizing United World. We have robot engineer jobs available at a wide range of companies, including small, medium, and large companies, as well as foreign-affiliated companies. We also offer counseling by full-time career advisors, so you can discuss any concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us.
 

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