Building in Career in Automation and Robotics with Electro Mechanical Engineering
The job of an automation robotics technician is to help senior engineers and organizations design, build, test, install, maintain and troubleshoot automated systems. However, the actual job duties and responsibilities vary, depending upon the individual qualifications, skills, experience and nature of the business and job title.
The professionals work with different industries such as automotive, aircraft, food, pharmaceuticals, packaging and communications in the areas of manufacturing and maintenance, installation, testing and troubleshooting and technical sales and services. The individuals may require working in field as well as industrial settings, depending upon the company they work for.
The electro-mechanical technicians have a thorough understand of and hands-on-experience on PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), hydraulics, robotics, electronics and pneumatics. They also have knowledge in and are able to work on widely-used technologies in different industries.
Career Prospects in the Field of Automation Robotics Engineering
Job prospects in this field of technology are good, especially for the young students. There have been more automated products in the market now than ever. And there is no stopping. This will further increase the demand of skilled professionals in the industry. Technicians with strong business and interpersonal skills can climb the ladder faster and can build a rewarding career in a short span of time.
However, in order to become employable, you need to have
- Solid understanding of computer programming
- Understanding of software development and testing
- Ability to identify the problems in an automated system
- Strong theoretical basics
- Relevant work experience
A course in automation robotics engineering opens doors for students to many job opportunities as robotics technicians, junior engineers, robotics systems maintenance technicians, robotics testing engineers, technical support staff, robotics sales engineers, etc. However, there is a higher demand for technicians who have undergone a formal training in manufacturing sector than any other industry.
Becoming an Automation Robotics Technician
As mentioned earlier, you will have to undergo a formal training in automation and robotics to become a technician. There are a number of colleges in Canada that offer two-year, post-secondary electro-mechanical engineering programs. They also have special courses in automation robotics.
For being able to apply for a diploma course, you will need to produce Secondary School Diploma Certificate or equivalent and English Grade 12 C or University and Mathematics Grade 11 M or 12 C or University certifications or scores.
Before submitting your application for admission in a particular college, make sure that
- The college is affiliated to a state board or university
- The program is state or nationally accredited
- The program offers relevant hands-on-laboratory experience
- The program features field placement or practical work experience
A diploma in automation robotics engineering covers various subjects including physics, mathematics, statistics, computer aided drafting, electric circuits, hydraulic systems, electronic devices, pneumatic components, robotics devices and applications, digital electronics, machine shop, PLC and maintenance mechanics and materials and troubleshooting and report writing in a technical environment.
The program combines classroom lectures, hand-on-lab experience, industrial visits, hands-on-experience and career events. You can choose to either work or study further after completion of the two year diploma course.
