Robotics AI Engineer

Robotics AI Engineers develop AI systems for robots including perception, planning, manipulation, and human-robot interaction. They work on industrial robots, service robots, and autonomous systems.

Average Salary
$185K/year
$130K - $240K
Growth Rate
+35%
Next 10 years
Work Environment
Lab, Office
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What is a Robotics AI Engineer?

Robotics AI Engineers develop AI systems for robots including perception, planning, manipulation, and human-robot interaction. They work on industrial robots, service robots, and autonomous systems.

Education Required

Master's in Robotics, Computer Science, or related field

Certifications

  • ROS Certification
  • Robotics AI Certification

Job Outlook

Growing demand in manufacturing, logistics, and service industries. Combines AI with mechanical systems.

Key Responsibilities

Develop robot perception systems, implement motion planning, build manipulation algorithms, create human-robot interfaces, test robot behavior, and integrate AI with hardware.

A Day in the Life

Perception development
Motion planning
Simulation testing
Hardware integration
Safety validation
System optimization

Required Skills

Here are the key skills you'll need to succeed as a Robotics AI Engineer.

Motion Planning

technical

Planning robot/vehicle movements

Deep Learning

technical

Neural networks and deep learning architectures

Sensor Integration

technical

Integrating sensors with AI systems

Computer Vision

technical

Image and video analysis with ML

Python/C++

technical

Proficiency in Python and C++

ROS

technical

Robot Operating System

Salary Range

Average Annual Salary

$185K

Range: $130K - $240K

Salary by Experience Level

Entry Level (0-2 years)$130K - $156K
Mid Level (3-5 years)$156K - $204K
Senior Level (5-10 years)$204K - $240K

Projected Growth

+35% over the next 10 years

ATS Resume Keywords

Optimize your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) with these Robotics AI Engineer-specific keywords.

Must-Have Keywords

Essential

Include these keywords in your resume - they are expected for Robotics AI Engineer roles.

RoboticsROSComputer VisionMotion PlanningPythonC++SLAM

Strong Keywords

Bonus Points

These keywords will strengthen your application and help you stand out.

ManipulationSensor FusionReinforcement LearningControl SystemsSimulation

Keywords to Avoid

Overused

These are overused or vague terms. Replace them with specific achievements and metrics.

Robot enthusiastAutomation guruMechatronics expertAI roboticist

💡 Pro Tips for ATS Optimization

  • • Use exact keyword matches from job descriptions
  • • Include keywords in context, not just lists
  • • Quantify achievements (e.g., "Improved X by 30%")
  • • Use both acronyms and full terms (e.g., "ML" and "Machine Learning")

How to Become a Robotics AI Engineer

Follow this step-by-step roadmap to launch your career as a Robotics AI Engineer.

1

Build Robotics Foundation

Learn kinematics, dynamics, control theory, and robotics fundamentals.

2

Master ROS

Become proficient in ROS/ROS2 for robot software development.

3

Learn Perception

Study computer vision, SLAM, and sensor fusion for robots.

4

Study Motion Planning

Understand path planning, manipulation, and motion control.

5

Practice with Simulation

Use Gazebo, PyBullet, or MuJoCo for robot simulation.

6

Get Hands-on Experience

Work with physical robots or participate in robotics competitions.

🎉 You're Ready!

With dedication and consistent effort, you'll be prepared to land your first Robotics AI Engineer role.

Not sure if Robotics AI Engineer is right for you?

Take our free career assessment to find your ideal AI role.

Portfolio Project Ideas

Build these projects to demonstrate your Robotics AI Engineer skills and stand out to employers.

1

Build autonomous navigation system with SLAM

Great for showcasing practical skills
2

Create robot manipulation pipeline with perception

Great for showcasing practical skills
3

Develop reinforcement learning for robot control

Great for showcasing practical skills
4

Implement sensor fusion for robust localization

Great for showcasing practical skills
5

Build simulation environment for robot training

Great for showcasing practical skills

🚀 Portfolio Best Practices

  • Host your projects on GitHub with clear README documentation
  • Include a live demo or video walkthrough when possible
  • Explain the problem you solved and your technical decisions
  • Show metrics and results (e.g., "95% accuracy", "50% faster")

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from others' mistakes! Avoid these common pitfalls when pursuing a Robotics AI Engineer career.

Focusing only on simulation without real robot experience

Ignoring hardware limitations in software design

Underestimating sim-to-real transfer challenges

Not considering safety in robot systems

Over-engineering without iterative testing

What to Do Instead

  • • Focus on measurable outcomes and quantified results
  • • Continuously learn and update your skills
  • • Build real projects, not just tutorials
  • • Network with professionals in the field
  • • Seek feedback and iterate on your work

Career Path & Progression

Typical career progression for a Robotics AI Engineer

1

Junior Robotics AI Engineer

0-2 years

Learn fundamentals, work under supervision, build foundational skills

2

Robotics AI Engineer

3-5 years

Work independently, handle complex projects, mentor junior team members

3

Senior Robotics AI Engineer

5-10 years

Lead major initiatives, strategic planning, mentor and develop others

4

Lead/Principal Robotics AI Engineer

10+ years

Set direction for teams, influence company strategy, industry thought leader

Ready to start your journey?

Take our free assessment to see if this career is right for you

Learning Resources for Robotics AI Engineer

Curated resources to help you build skills and launch your Robotics AI Engineer career.

Free Learning Resources

Free
  • ROS tutorials
  • MIT Robotics courses
  • Robotics papers

Courses & Certifications

Paid
  • Robotics Specialization
  • ROS certification

Tools & Software

Essential
  • ROS
  • Gazebo
  • OpenCV
  • Python
  • C++

Communities & Events

Network
  • ROS community
  • Robotics forums
  • Robotics competitions

Job Search Platforms

Jobs
  • LinkedIn
  • Robotics company careers
  • Research positions

💡 Learning Strategy

Start with free resources to build fundamentals, then invest in paid courses for structured learning. Join communities early to network and get mentorship. Consistent daily practice beats intensive cramming.

Work Environment

LabOfficeManufacturing

Work Style

Technical Hands-on Collaborative

Personality Traits

TechnicalSystematicSafety-consciousInnovative

Core Values

Technical excellence Safety Innovation Precision

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