Robotics Engineers
Research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.
How AI Impacts Each Task
24 tasks analyzed
Review or approve designs, calculations, or cost estimates.
Process or interpret signals or sensor data.
Debug robotics programs.
Build, configure, or test robots or robotic applications.
Create back-ups of robot programs or parameters.
Provide technical support for robotic systems.
Design end-of-arm tooling.
Design robotic systems, such as automatic vehicle control, autonomous vehicles, advanced displays, advanced sensing, robotic platforms, computer vision, or telematics systems.
Supervise technologists, technicians, or other engineers.
Design software to control robotic systems for applications, such as military defense or manufacturing.
Conduct research on robotic technology to create new robotic systems or system capabilities.
Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems.
Integrate robotics with peripherals, such as welders, controllers, or other equipment.
Evaluate robotic systems or prototypes.
Install, calibrate, operate, or maintain robots.
Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of robotic mechanisms, components, or systems, such as planetary rovers, multiple mobile robots, reconfigurable robots, or man-machine interactions.
Document robotic application development, maintenance, or changes.
Design automated robotic systems to increase production volume or precision in high-throughput operations, such as automated ribonucleic acid (RNA) analysis or sorting, moving, or stacking production materials.
Design or program robotics systems for environmental clean-up applications to minimize human exposure to toxic or hazardous materials or to improve the quality or speed of clean-up operations.
Write algorithms or programming code for ad hoc robotic applications.
Plan mobile robot paths and teach path plans to robots.
Make system device lists or event timing charts.
Design robotics applications for manufacturers of green products, such as wind turbines or solar panels, to increase production time, eliminate waste, or reduce costs.
Automate assays on laboratory robotics.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review or approve designs, calculations, or cost estimates. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Process or interpret signals or sensor data. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 5% | |
| Debug robotics programs. | 63.28Observed | 52.3% | 6% | |
| Build, configure, or test robots or robotic applications. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 6% | |
| Create back-ups of robot programs or parameters. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 2% | |
| Provide technical support for robotic systems. | 63.78Observed | 40.5% | 4% | |
| Design end-of-arm tooling. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Design robotic systems, such as automatic vehicle control, autonomous vehicles, advanced displays, advanced sensing, robotic platforms, computer vision, or telematics systems. | 73.83Observed | 56.5% | 6% | |
| Supervise technologists, technicians, or other engineers. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 4% | |
| Design software to control robotic systems for applications, such as military defense or manufacturing. | 68.38Observed | 54.4% | 6% | |
| Conduct research on robotic technology to create new robotic systems or system capabilities. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 5% | |
| Integrate robotics with peripherals, such as welders, controllers, or other equipment. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 5% | |
| Evaluate robotic systems or prototypes. | 39.7Observed | 42.9% | 4% | |
| Install, calibrate, operate, or maintain robots. | 55.15Observed | 31.1% | 5% | |
| Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of robotic mechanisms, components, or systems, such as planetary rovers, multiple mobile robots, reconfigurable robots, or man-machine interactions. | 65.48Observed | 53.2% | 4% | |
| Document robotic application development, maintenance, or changes. | 54.02Observed | 70.8% | 3% | |
| Design automated robotic systems to increase production volume or precision in high-throughput operations, such as automated ribonucleic acid (RNA) analysis or sorting, moving, or stacking production materials. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Design or program robotics systems for environmental clean-up applications to minimize human exposure to toxic or hazardous materials or to improve the quality or speed of clean-up operations. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Write algorithms or programming code for ad hoc robotic applications. | 63.7Observed | 52.5% | 4% | |
| Plan mobile robot paths and teach path plans to robots. | 38.32Observed | 42.3% | 3% | |
| Make system device lists or event timing charts. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Design robotics applications for manufacturers of green products, such as wind turbines or solar panels, to increase production time, eliminate waste, or reduce costs. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Automate assays on laboratory robotics. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Programming is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Robotics Engineers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
Machine Learning Specialization
by Stanford / DeepLearning.AI
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AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Systems Thinking In Practice
by The Open University
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Design Patterns in C# and .NET
by Pluralsight
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
Cross-hardware learning software accelerates robotic automation
Breakthrough control software now allows robots with entirely different hardware to share training data and learn from one another. This interoperability removes a major bottleneck in deploying physical automation across manufacturing and logistics.
Congress urged to accelerate US robotics deployment to counter China
Industry leaders are lobbying the US government to aggressively accelerate domestic robotics deployment to keep pace with China. A successful push would rapidly increase automation in American manufacturing, fundamentally shifting factory floor skills.
Caterpillar acquires Monarch Tractor IP, signaling shifts in autonomous jobs
Caterpillar's acquisition of Monarch Tractor's intellectual property and the shutdown of PlusAI highlight a volatile market for autonomous vehicle engineers. The commercial self-driving sector is consolidating, shifting demand toward defense and heavy machinery roles.
Tesla's pivot to AI and robotics signals a major shift in workforce focus.
Following a rebound in vehicle demand, the automaker is aggressively realigning its corporate strategy and resources toward artificial intelligence and humanoid robotics development.
AI and Automation Fuel a Stealth US Manufacturing Boom
Billions are pouring into US factories as companies leverage advanced robotics to onshore production. This shift is creating new high-tech manufacturing roles while reducing reliance on traditional manual labor.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis