* * * This is NOT a job offer * * * The purpose of this occupational guide is to provide you with useful information to help you make career decisions. If you are searching for a job, please go to CalJobs (for jobs in California)     OR      JOBcentral (for jobs nationwide)

More Occupational Guides

Robotics Technician

THE JOB

Thanks to Hollywood and science fiction literature, we have been introduced 
to many mythical robots.  However the real robots, important players in 
California's economy, remain relatively unknown, working quietly and 
efficiently behind the scenes.

Robots, introduced to the world in 1921 by Czechoslovakian playwright Karel 
Capek in his play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots), were docile mechanical 
workers who toiled tirelessly.  Capek took the name "robot" from the Czech 
word robota, which means worker.

The robot's roots reach far back into history.  Mechanical figures over 
2,500 years old have been found in Egyptian ruins.  In the eighteenth and 
nineteenth century, automatons -- mechanical devices built in the shapes of 
animals and people and capable of moving on their own -- began to appear.  
With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, machines became more and more 
advanced.  In the mid-1950's, George Devol developed Unimate, an industrial 
robot that began work on an automobile assembly line.  This pioneer robot 
ran for 100,000 hours and is now on display in the Smithsonian Institute in 
Washington DC.

Most robots are in industrial manufacturing.  A robot has to be 
reprogrammable so that instructions can be changed, and it must be 
multifunctional -- capable of doing different tasks.  Robots move materials 
from one place to another, they paint, weld, and shape raw materials into 
specific parts and assemble the parts into completed products. 

ROBOTICS TECHNICIANS install, service, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair 
robots and automated production systems.  They must understand computers, 
electrical and electronic systems, sensor and feedback principles, and how 
robots work as machines.  Their duties vary depending upon whom they work 
for and the type of robots on which they work.  Technicians employed by 
manufacturers work closely with designers, engineers, and technologists.  
They might be involved in the developing, testing, programming, and actual 
on-site installation of new robots.  Some technicians work as robotics 
trainers and train others to install, use, and maintain robots.  Robotics 
Technicians have another important role -- they are the people who help keep 
the robots "working".  Employed by robot manufacturers, suppliers, 
distributors or by the companies that use and depend on robots, they 
maintain and troubleshoot all aspects of robots and automated systems -- 
mechanical as well as electrical.

In the auto industry, skilled trade workers such as electricians, 
millwrights, pipe fitters, machinists, and machine repair workers maintain 
robots.  Called general maintenance technicians, these skilled Robot 
Technicians take care of all the electro-mechanical equipment.  Thoroughly 
cross-trained and skilled in multiple trades, they are responsible for the 
maintenance and repair of a wide variety of robots and equipment.  They 
analyze equipment problems and troubleshoot electrical components and 
systems, as well as service and repair both hydraulic and pneumatic systems. 
They also do welding and machining.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Technicians involved with testing and designing robots  work mainly in 
well-equipped laboratories.  Those involved in actual manufacturing 
operations or in repairing and maintaining robots may work in production 
locations varying from "hard hat" areas that are noisy, hot, and dirty to 
the sterile "clean room" environment in which the temperature, humidity and 
dust content of the air are carefully controlled.  Since some robots are 
designed to perform jobs considered to be dangerous, technicians working on 
these robots must follow all prescribed safety measures.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment 
published by the Labor Market Information Division.  It projects trends for 
the broad group commercial electronics repairers, which includes Robotics 
Technicians. 

Estimated number of workers in 1990                7,700
Estimated number of workers in 2005                8,070
Projected Growth 1990-2005                            5%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005      1,980

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)

In spite of the promise of the technology, growth in the robotics industry 
is well below that of all occupations in California.  U.S. manufacturing 
industries must convert to robotics and automated systems to remain 
competitive.  The electronics industry, faced with increasing competition in 
the 80s, turned to automation and flexible assembly as a solution, and today 
it is becoming one of the biggest users of robotics equipment. 

Technological advances are continually improving robotics.  Ongoing 
Research in the fields of artificial intelligence and machine vision is 
making robots "smarter" and helping them "see" better.  As the technology 
improves and more applications develop, new markets for robotics will open 
up.  This growth will result in an increased demand for Electronics 
Technicians and Maintenance Technicians who can build and maintain the 
equipment.  Those with computer and electronic skills will have the best 
opportunities.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Salaries for entry-level positions for Electronics Technicians with an AS 
degree start anywhere from $6.00 to $17.50 an hour.  Experienced Electronics 
Technicians who work on robotics and automated systems can expect to earn 
from $10.00 to $25.00 an hour.  Most technicians work full time and may work 
varied day shifts.  Many companies also employ technicians on swing shifts 
and overtime work may be required.

Most employers offer full fringe benefits including paid sick leave, 
vacation, retirement and medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.  
Some employers also have profit sharing plans and tuition reimbursement plans.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

The field of robotics demands many skills and talents.  Those entering the 
field must have mechanical skills, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, 
the spatial ability to understand blueprints and diagrams, the capability to 
read and understand technical instructions, and analytical ability.  High 
school students interested in entering the robotics field should prepare by 
taking classes in algebra, geometry, computer science, general science, and 
physics.  Other important classes to take include drafting, electronics, and 
machine shop. 

Employers prefer to hire electronic technicians who have completed a 
two-year electronics engineering technology program at a community college 
or trade school.  Several California community colleges have these programs, 
and some include classes in robotics.


ADVANCEMENT

Robotics technicians who demonstrate leadership potential can advance to 
supervisor or team leader positions.  Technicians also may be promoted to 
trainer positions within their company.  Those who work for vendors can move 
up to technical trainer or sales representative.  Many employers provide 
educational fee reimbursement and encourage their technicians to continue to 
take college classes and work toward a higher degree.


FINDING THE JOB

Electronics technicians who graduate from community colleges or trade 
schools may find work through the placement offices or by interviews with 
employers recruiting on their campuses.  Trade journals and magazines list 
employers and job openings, and membership in a robotics professional 
society provides valuable networking opportunities.  In addition, employers 
frequently list their openings with the Job Service offices of the 
California Employment Development Department.


ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Robotics International of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (RI/SME)
PO Box 930
Dearborn, MI 48121-0930
(313) 271-1500

Robotics Industries Association
PO Box 3724 
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
(313) 994-6088


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Industrial Engineers                          No.   3
Mechanical Engineers                          No    5
Electrical/Electronics Engineers              No.  12
Electrical/Electronics Engineer Technicians   No.  60
Electronics Repairers                         No. 222
Numerical- Control Machine Operators          No. 548

OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Mechanical Engineer                       007.061-014
Field Service Technician                  638.261-026
Electronics Mechanic                      828.261-022
Electrician, Maintenance                  829.261-018

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Electronics Repairers, Commercial              857170


Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department, 
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group, 
         (916) 262-2162.