Also called: Laboratory Robotics Engineer
Programs and builds robots that run experiments around the clock.
Writes code to tell a robotic arm how to move tiny plates of cells between machines, then watches the first test run to catch jams. Meets scientists to learn which tedious tasks they want automated next.
Industry estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in bioengineering, mechanical engineering, or computer science.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science.
Growing much faster than average (about 8% over 10 years). Estimate; 'self-driving labs' are a hot growth area.
Low risk for 10 years. More automation means more demand; AI helps write robot code, but integrating and debugging real machines stays human.
Classes: AP Computer Science, Robotics CTE, Physics, Chemistry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2031.
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