Science fiction is gradually turning into reality as we see more use of Robotics in a range of industries. Hyundai buying the robot maker Boston Dynamics at a $1.1 billion valuation demonstrates this growth.
The key benefits of Robotics including the automation of repetitive or hazardous jobs along with huge efficiency gains means there is great potential for the industry.
This article provides insights to hire Robotics Engineers who are a key pillar for success while also exploring the potential of such talents in Poland and Ukraine.
What Is a Robotics Engineer?
A Robotics Engineer helps to design, build, and test autonomous machines while maintaining the software that maintains them. They also analyze & find effective ways of developing robotic systems.
What Does a Robotics Engineer Do? Roles & Responsibilities
The key Robotics Engineer responsibilities include:
- Designing machine processes and prototypes
- Testing and iterating Robotic systems
- Developing and implementing robot-controlling software
- Performing integration tests to ensure quality
- Monitoring the working of the robotic system and optimizing for improvements
- Identifying any defects and outliers
- Maintaining accurate documentation of the robotic systems
- Researching new Robotics fields and keeping up to date with the latest trends
Types of Robotics Engineers
Since Robotics is a field full of diverse use cases, the roles of Robotics Engineers differs based on distinct aspects of the design, implementation, and optimization process. Below are 11 types of Robotic Engineers
1. Air Traffic Management Systems Engineers
These engineers work on developing Robotics systems that assist in managing and optimizing air traffic control operations.
2. Artificial Intelligence Robotics Engineers
They focus on integrating AI technologies into Robotics systems to enhance their autonomy and decision-making capabilities.
3. Automation Engineers
Automation engineers design robots and systems that can perform tasks with minimal human intervention which are often used in manufacturing and industrial processes.
4. Bio-Cybernetics Engineers
This specialization involves designing robots and systems that interact with biological organisms, such as medical robots used in surgeries.
5. Computer Software Development Engineers
These engineers develop the software that controls and guides robotic systems, ensuring they operate efficiently and effectively.
6. Computer-Aided Manufacturing Engineers
They create robots and systems that are integral to modern manufacturing processes, including CNC machines and automated assembly lines.
7. Control Systems Engineers
These engineers focus on the algorithms and control mechanisms that enable robots to move, interact, and perform tasks accurately.
8. General Robotics Engineers
General Robotics engineers work on a wide range of robotic applications and may not specialize in a particular field, contributing to various projects.
9. Intelligent Systems Engineers
They specialize in creating robots with advanced decision-making capabilities, often incorporating machine learning and AI.
10. Medical Robotics Engineers
These engineers design robots used in the medical field, such as surgical robots, diagnostic systems, and robotic prosthetics.
11. Micro-Robotics Engineers
Micro-Robotics engineers work on tiny robotic systems used in applications like microsurgery, nanotechnology, and small-scale manufacturing.
Importance of Robotics Engineering for Businesses
Robotics Engineering has become a key part of the business models for different industries. For example, the automotive industry employs 38% of existing industrial robots.
The reason is that businesses benefit from the speed and accuracy with which robots can create their products.
Significant reduction of defect rates and maximization of the development of quality products further highlights the importance of Robotics Engineering.
Benefits of Robotic Process Automation
Businesses worldwide are investing in Robotics because of the opportunities for creating a competitive edge through a new era of productivity. Here are the key benefits of Robotic Process Automation(RPA)
- Higher Focus on Strategic Work
Since robots take care of boring and repetitive tasks, human workers can focus their attention on strategy more. In fact, 60% of executives agree that RPA enables people to focus on more strategic work.
- Worker Safety
Many dangerous jobs including working with chemicals or in contaminated environments can hamper human health. Utilizing Robots can help to reduce human involvement in such tasks and maintain their safety.
- Enhanced Analytics
Since RPA helps to connect a lot of data for different business processes, it can provide a good source for finding valuable insights that can lead to a competitive advantage.
Examples in Different Industries
Robotics presents a multi-billion dollar opportunity today because of its use cases beyond only one industry. Here are some examples of how different industries are utilizing Robotics Engineering
- Healthcare
Robots are helping with advanced use cases in the healthcare industry including Surgical Robots, Autonomous disinfectors, and Robotic testing solutions.
- Public Safety
Through the use of Risk Analysis and Surveillance, governments are handling public safety. For instance, this has enabled first responders to respond quickly during car accidents.
- Military
The growth of unmanned drones has helped to save the lives of soldiers while also providing Battlefield support. They have become a key part of a country’s military strategy in 2023.
- Agriculture
There have been innovations such as Flower detection and Autonomous phenotyping which have helped with waste reduction and improving sustainable practices.
- Mining
Robotic drills and Self-driving ore trucks have helped to tackle high-risk tasks that are common in the mining industry.
- Aerospace
There are some cutting-edge innovations in the Aerospace industry such as Space mining and Smart drilling rigs that are set to help in making even big goals such as inhabiting Mars a reality.
Key Skills to Look Out for When Hiring Robotics Engineers
The specific skills of Robotics Engineers can vary depending on the type of talent required for the project. Yet, there are some crucial Robotics Engineer required skills
1. Technical
As Robotics Engineers need to work on the software powering the Robots, knowledge of programming languages such as C, C++, Python, and Java is necessary.
Understanding specialized Robotics programming and proprietary languages is also necessary along with AL and ML algorithms.
2. Math and Science Skills
Assess the candidate’s proficiency in algebra, calculus, geometry, and physics. Emphasize their use of applied mathematics for real-world problem-solving.
3. Teamwork
Robotics Engineering success depends on strong collaboration skills to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams. Additionally, a strong familiarity with Agile project management for iterative development is necessary.
4. Problem-Solving
Problem-solving is among the major skills needed for Robotics Engineers since their work revolves around diagnosing and resolving mechanical and software issues.
5. Creativity
Through creative thinking, Robotics Engineers can generate new ideas and come up with innovative solutions. For instance, such candidates can think of new ways of developing algorithms that are beyond conventional solutions.
6. Active Learning
Prioritize candidates who demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning in the dynamic field of Robotics. Inquire about their participation in recent workshops, conferences, or online courses related to Robotics technology.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring Robotics Engineers
It is essential to be aware of decisions that might lead to an unsuitable hire. Try avoiding the following common mistakes before hiring a Robotics Engineer:
1. Overlooking Soft Skills
Technical skills and soft skills go hand in hand so it is a good idea to look into skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability of the candidate.
2. Relying Solely on Resumes
Since a resume doesn’t provide a complete picture of their actual ability, consider practical tests and project-based interviews.
3. Not Keeping Up with Industry Trends
Robotics is an ever-evolving field so it’s important to look at adaptable candidates while also maintaining an updated job description that outlines the specific areas they will work on.
4. Ignoring Ongoing Training Opportunities
As there is continuous innovation in this industry, look into how continuous learning can be implemented to facilitate regular upskilling of team members.
How to Hire a Robotics Engineer: Choosing the Perfect Candidate
Identifying the right Robotics Engineer requires a careful understanding of various skills and attitudes. Consider following the steps below to hire Robotics Engineers who are the perfect fit.
1. Assess Self-Drive and Productivity
Look for candidates who demonstrate a strong sense of self-drive and initiative in their previous projects or work experiences.
2. Evaluate Innovation Desire
Seek candidates who have a genuine desire to improve existing robotic designs and create innovative solutions. For instance, innovative Robotics Engineers develop their side projects to constantly learn and grow.
3. Test Problem-Solving Skills
Develop technical interview questions or scenarios that require candidates to think on their feet and troubleshoot robotic system issues.
4. Check Communication Skills
Effective communication is essential for collaboration in engineering teams. Assess a candidate’s ability to communicate with both technical and non-technical audiences.
5. Identify Leadership Potential
In certain situations, a Robotics Engineer may need to take the lead. Focus on candidates who have demonstrated leadership skills or a willingness to step into leadership roles when necessary.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Robotics Engineer?
The average salary for a Robotics Engineer in the U.S. is around $99,000 per year while in the U.K. it is around $82,000 per year.
The salaries are much more reasonable in Poland at $43,000 per year and Ukrainian Robotics Engineers at $25,000 per year.
Best Models for Hiring Robotics Engineers
Once the precise requirements and job description for a Robotics Engineer are set, the business can think about how to hire them. The three best models to hire Robotics Engineers are
1. In-House
In-House Robotics Engineers work as full-time employees who are paid a monthly salary.
Advantages
- Fully integrated part of the team with continuous availability
- Higher chances of longer commitment providing stability to complex Robotics projects
Disadvantages
- Longer time and higher resources spent in the recruitment process
- There may be limits in the diversity of skill sets in the team
2. Freelance
Freelancers work on a project basis as independent contractors.
Advantages
- More cost-effective as payment is based on specific deliverables
- Access to specialized skills that are not present in the team
Disadvantages
- They may not be available full-time as they cater to multiple clients
- Might not completely integrate with the business which hampers the quality of work
3. Outsourcing
Outsourcing is a growing model to hire Robotics Engineers where a third-party firm takes care of the entire recruitment process.
Advantages
- Much faster hiring process
- Have expertise in identifying vetted expert candidates
Disadvantages
- Might not completely understand the company’s culture leading to hiring mismatches
- Lack of coordination may result in things not going as planned
Hiring Remote Robotics Engineers
Research for 2023 shows that those considering a job change are interested in either fully remote or hybrid positions.
By seeking remote Robotics Engineers, a company can expand its horizons to explore talent from around the world who can offer new skills and perspectives at an affordable cost.
Why Hire Robotics Engineers from Poland or Ukraine?
Poland and Ukraine have a high potential for quality Robotics Engineers because of the rich ecosystem of Robotics that is already present in these countries.
For example, 30% of Polish companies were planning to integrate Robotics into their plans.
Furthermore, Ukraine has already been using Starlink which is giving them an edge to compete in developing autonomous systems with higher efficiency and greater accuracy.
Overall, the quality of Robotics Engineers along with their reasonable rates have made Poland and Ukraine attractive destinations.
Let RemoDevs Help You Hire Robotics Engineers
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Founder and Chief Executive Officer at RemoDevs