4 answers
Jorge
Student
Rochester, Minnesota
5
Questions
Updated
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how many years do you have to go to become a robotic engineer ?
I want to become this in the future and i want to know how many years I need to study
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4 answers
Sandeep Khandelwal
Software Engineer
50
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Sandeep’s Answer
Hello Jorge,
To become a robotics engineer, most people complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science. Some also choose to study for an additional 2 years to earn a master’s degree, but it is not always required.
In general, you should expect to study at least 4 years to begin a career in robotics engineering.
To become a robotics engineer, most people complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science. Some also choose to study for an additional 2 years to earn a master’s degree, but it is not always required.
In general, you should expect to study at least 4 years to begin a career in robotics engineering.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Jorge,
Robotics engineering is highly interdisciplinary, i.e. you'll find mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, robotics engineers, computer scientists, physicists and more in robotics. There are some undergraduate programs in robotics engineering, but a more general degree like mechanical or electrical engineering might serve you better so you don't specialize too early.
You are going to need at least a bachelors degree (4 years) in one of these fields to find an entry level position. Depending on how far you want to go and if you want to work in industry or academia, in research or production, you might need a graduate degree which can add several years to your studies.
I would recommend that you look for a university that has a strong interdisciplinary research profile in robotics (no matter which degree you opt for), e.g. a Robotics Center, and get involved in research activities early on.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Robotics engineering is highly interdisciplinary, i.e. you'll find mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, robotics engineers, computer scientists, physicists and more in robotics. There are some undergraduate programs in robotics engineering, but a more general degree like mechanical or electrical engineering might serve you better so you don't specialize too early.
You are going to need at least a bachelors degree (4 years) in one of these fields to find an entry level position. Depending on how far you want to go and if you want to work in industry or academia, in research or production, you might need a graduate degree which can add several years to your studies.
I would recommend that you look for a university that has a strong interdisciplinary research profile in robotics (no matter which degree you opt for), e.g. a Robotics Center, and get involved in research activities early on.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
cassandra Harris
Social / Emotional learning Teacher
38
Answers
Tucson, Arizona
Updated
cassandra’s Answer
Most robotics engineers follow this path:
1. High School (4 years)
This is where students build their foundation in:
Math
Science
Computer science
Engineering electives
Robotics clubs/teams
This part is already included in their school journey.
2. Bachelor’s Degree (4 years)
To become a robotics engineer, most people earn a 4-year college degree in fields like:
Robotics Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Mechatronics
This is the minimum education most robotics jobs require.
3. Optional: Master’s Degree (2 more years)
Some people choose to specialize and get a Master’s degree in robotics or AI.
This is not required, but it can open up higher-level or research jobs.
✅ Total Time to Become a Robotics Engineer:
Most students: 4 years of college after high school
Optional advanced path: 6 years of college after high school.
You’ll need about 4 years of college after high school to become a robotics engineer. Some people choose to study a bit longer and get a master’s degree, but many robotics engineers start working right after their 4-year engineering degree. What matters most is building strong skills in math, science, engineering, and programming.
1. High School (4 years)
This is where students build their foundation in:
Math
Science
Computer science
Engineering electives
Robotics clubs/teams
This part is already included in their school journey.
2. Bachelor’s Degree (4 years)
To become a robotics engineer, most people earn a 4-year college degree in fields like:
Robotics Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Mechatronics
This is the minimum education most robotics jobs require.
3. Optional: Master’s Degree (2 more years)
Some people choose to specialize and get a Master’s degree in robotics or AI.
This is not required, but it can open up higher-level or research jobs.
✅ Total Time to Become a Robotics Engineer:
Most students: 4 years of college after high school
Optional advanced path: 6 years of college after high school.
You’ll need about 4 years of college after high school to become a robotics engineer. Some people choose to study a bit longer and get a master’s degree, but many robotics engineers start working right after their 4-year engineering degree. What matters most is building strong skills in math, science, engineering, and programming.
David Allen
Consultant
84
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
David’s Answer
The total time needed to become a Robotics Engineer typically ranges from four to seven years of formal education and initial career experience. The required baseline is a Bachelor’s Degree in Robotics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science, which generally takes four years of full-time study. This degree provides the essential foundation in mathematics, physics, control systems, and programming (like Python and C++). After this four-year degree, you are qualified for entry-level roles such as a Robotics Technician or Junior Engineer, where you will gain the crucial real-world, hands-on experience that is indispensable for becoming a true engineer.
For more advanced positions, particularly in design, research, or specialized fields like autonomous systems or AI in robotics, a Master's Degree is often preferred or necessary. A Master's program typically adds one to two years of full-time study, meaning the total formal education can be five to six years. Some universities offer accelerated "4+1" programs that allow you to complete both a bachelor's and a master's degree in a condensed five-year period. Therefore, while you can start working with a four-year degree, a full trajectory to a senior or specialized Robotics Engineer title, including graduate study and the start of your professional experience, usually spans around seven years.
For more advanced positions, particularly in design, research, or specialized fields like autonomous systems or AI in robotics, a Master's Degree is often preferred or necessary. A Master's program typically adds one to two years of full-time study, meaning the total formal education can be five to six years. Some universities offer accelerated "4+1" programs that allow you to complete both a bachelor's and a master's degree in a condensed five-year period. Therefore, while you can start working with a four-year degree, a full trajectory to a senior or specialized Robotics Engineer title, including graduate study and the start of your professional experience, usually spans around seven years.