Table 1Transition record

mechanical engineertorobotics engineer

A mechanical engineer already meets 59% of what the robotics engineer role asks for. The move turns on 4 required skills not yet in the profile.

From mechanical engineer

59%

Overlap1

To robotics engineer

26 Skills carried over

4 Required, not held

45.9 Difficulty2

adjacent 0–30

moderate 30–55

substantial 55–75

career change 75–100

this move, 45.9

This move: 45.9 of 100 · moderate

1 Share of the robotics engineer role’s weighted skill requirement already met by the mechanical engineer profile. Required skills count in full, supplementary skills at 0.35. Directional: the figure for the reverse move differs. 2 Combines what is missing with how specialised it is, so a gap of general skills scores easier than the same number of narrow ones.

Table 2

Table 2 · What you already bring

Of the 26 skills that carry over, these are the ones fewest other occupations ask for. A robotics engineer role needs them, and most people applying for one will not have them already. This is the part of a mechanical engineer background worth leading with.

Skill the target role also needs Area

already held calibrate mechatronic instruments working with machinery and specialised equipment
already held simulate mechatronic design concepts communication, collaboration and creativity
already held design automation components communication, collaboration and creativity
already held keep up with digital transformation of industrial processes information skills
already held test mechatronic units constructing
already held robotic components engineering, manufacturing and construction

All 26 carried skills, including the 13 the robotics engineer role treats as required.

Table 3

Table 3 · What you would need to learn

The 27 missing skills fall into 10 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, numbered below in the order worth working in: the areas carrying the most required skills come first, and inside each one the required skills sit above the supplementary ones.

Skill to acquire Tier

01 engineering, manufacturing and construction 1 required, 8 supplementary

required, not held human-robot collaboration required

optional, not held computer engineering optional
optional, not held electrical engineering optional
optional, not held electronics optional
optional, not held industrial research and development optional
optional, not held manufacturing processes optional
optional, not held model based system engineering optional
optional, not held safety engineering optional
optional, not held state estimation optional

02 working with computers 1 required, 3 supplementary

required, not held develop computer vision system required

optional, not held debug software optional
optional, not held use CAD software optional
optional, not held use CAM software optional

03 information skills 1 required, 2 supplementary

required, not held execute feasibility study required

optional, not held analyse test data optional
optional, not held record test data optional

04 information and communication technologies (icts) 1 required, 1 supplementary

required, not held automatic control system required

optional, not held microprocessors optional

05 constructing 2 supplementary

optional, not held conduct performance tests optional
optional, not held perform test run optional

06 handling and moving 2 supplementary

optional, not held assemble mechatronic units optional
optional, not held assemble robots optional

4 further areas in the appendix

Table 4

Table 4 · Where to start

The 3 entries a robotics engineer role is least likely to hire without. The ordering is computed from the skill data, not from what pays.

Each entry opens a course search for that skill. Career Overlap earns nothing from these links.

Appendix

Appendix · The rest of the record

All 26 skills that carry over

Skill Type

already held adjust engineering designs skill
already held approve engineering design skill
already held assess financial viability skill
already held design automation components skill
already held engineering principles knowledge
already held engineering processes knowledge
already held mechanical engineering knowledge
already held mechanics knowledge
already held perform scientific research skill
already held robotic components knowledge
already held robotics knowledge
already held technical drawings knowledge
already held use technical drawing software skill
already held advise on machinery malfunctions skill
already held calibrate mechatronic instruments skill
already held create technical plans skill
already held design principles knowledge
already held design prototypes skill
already held draft design specifications skill
already held industrial engineering knowledge
already held keep up with digital transformation of industrial processes skill
already held maintain robotic equipment skill
already held mechatronics knowledge
already held prepare production prototypes skill
already held simulate mechatronic design concepts skill
already held test mechatronic units skill

The 4 learning areas not shown above

Skill to acquire Tier

07 management skills 2 supplementary

optional, not held apply advanced manufacturing optional
optional, not held control production optional

08 assisting and caring 1 supplementary

optional, not held follow standards for machinery safety optional

09 business, administration and law 1 supplementary

optional, not held product data management optional

10 communication, collaboration and creativity 1 supplementary

optional, not held create software design optional

23 supplementary skills, helpful but not required

Skill to acquire Tier

optional, not held assemble mechatronic units optional
optional, not held assemble robots optional
optional, not held create software design optional
optional, not held debug software optional
optional, not held follow standards for machinery safety optional
optional, not held analyse test data optional
optional, not held apply advanced manufacturing optional
optional, not held computer engineering optional
optional, not held conduct performance tests optional
optional, not held control production optional
optional, not held electrical engineering optional
optional, not held electronics optional
optional, not held industrial research and development optional
optional, not held manufacturing processes optional
optional, not held microprocessors optional
optional, not held model based system engineering optional
optional, not held perform test run optional
optional, not held product data management optional
optional, not held record test data optional
optional, not held safety engineering optional
optional, not held state estimation optional
optional, not held use CAD software optional
optional, not held use CAM software optional

66 held skills the robotics engineer role does not ask for

Skill Type

not needed by the target role 3D modelling knowledge
not needed by the target role CAE software knowledge
not needed by the target role aerodynamics knowledge
not needed by the target role aircraft mechanics knowledge
not needed by the target role automation technology knowledge
not needed by the target role automotive engineering skill
not needed by the target role blueprints knowledge
not needed by the target role build machines skill
not needed by the target role building automation knowledge
not needed by the target role combined heat and power generation knowledge
not needed by the target role computer simulation knowledge
not needed by the target role continuum mechanics knowledge
not needed by the target role coordinate engineering teams skill
not needed by the target role create a product's virtual model skill
not needed by the target role define part requirements skill
not needed by the target role define technical requirements skill
not needed by the target role design a domotic system in buildings skill
not needed by the target role design a solar absorption cooling system skill
not needed by the target role design drawings knowledge
not needed by the target role design engineering components skill
not needed by the target role design heating and cooling emission systems skill
not needed by the target role determine production capacity skill
not needed by the target role develop mechatronic test procedures skill
not needed by the target role disassemble engines skill
not needed by the target role electric current knowledge
not needed by the target role electromechanics knowledge
not needed by the target role environmental legislation knowledge
not needed by the target role evaluate engine performance skill
not needed by the target role execute analytical mathematical calculations skill
not needed by the target role fluid mechanics knowledge
not needed by the target role gather technical information skill
not needed by the target role hydraulics knowledge
not needed by the target role inspect engine rooms skill
not needed by the target role install automation components skill
not needed by the target role install mechatronic equipment skill
not needed by the target role instruct on energy saving technologies skill
not needed by the target role integrated design knowledge
not needed by the target role maintain electrical equipment skill
not needed by the target role manage engine-room resources skill
not needed by the target role manage supplies skill

26 further entries not listed here

12 gaps that are knowledge rather than practice

Knowledge gaps usually close through study. Practical skill gaps usually need something you can point at.

Skill to acquire Tier

required, not held human-robot collaboration required
required, not held automatic control system required
optional, not held computer engineering optional
optional, not held electrical engineering optional
optional, not held electronics optional
optional, not held industrial research and development optional
optional, not held manufacturing processes optional
optional, not held microprocessors optional
optional, not held model based system engineering optional
optional, not held product data management optional
optional, not held safety engineering optional
optional, not held state estimation optional

Index

Other moves recorded from mechanical engineer

Full index of moves from mechanical engineer

Note

How this record was compiled

Both occupations are taken from ESCO, which lists the skills and knowledge each occupation is expected to have and marks every one required or optional. Nothing here is a prediction about hiring, and nothing here knows that a particular employer wants a particular certificate. Treat Table 3 as a starting point for your own research rather than a syllabus. The full method states what these figures can and cannot tell you.