Robotics & Industrial Automation

Robotics engineering, industrial control systems, PLC programming, machine vision and automated manufacturing

Robotics and industrial automation bring together software, electronics and mechanical engineering to help machines carry out physical tasks. Robotics focuses on designing, programming and controlling robots, while industrial automation covers the wider systems used to operate machinery and production processes with reduced manual intervention. These technologies are used in settings such as manufacturing plants, warehouses and distribution centres, where equipment needs to work safely, accurately and consistently.

Robotics engineers develop the systems that allow a robot to sense its surroundings, plan an action and move. This can involve programming a robotic arm to assemble components, helping a mobile robot navigate a warehouse or using cameras to identify objects. The work combines sensors, motors, control software and mechanical components. Engineers test how these parts behave together, adjusting the system to improve accuracy and handle changes in its working environment.

Industrial automation engineers focus on coordinating machines and processes. They often work with programmable logic controllers, or PLCs, which are industrial computers that use inputs from sensors to control equipment. Operators interact with these systems through screens known as human-machine interfaces, while supervisory control and data acquisition systems, or SCADA, help teams monitor wider operations. Automation work can include programming a production line, connecting equipment to monitoring systems and identifying the cause of unexpected stoppages.

Jobs in this category include robotics engineer, automation engineer, controls engineer, PLC programmer and machine vision engineer. Some positions concentrate on developing new technology, while others involve installing, commissioning and maintaining equipment on site. Across both fields, engineers work to improve productivity and product quality while making sure automated systems operate safely alongside the people who use and maintain them.