Also called: Automation Technician, Reliability Maintenance Engineer (RME) Tech, Conveyor Technician
Keeps conveyors, sorters, and warehouse robots running so packages never stop moving.
You get an alert that a robot drive unit is stuck, so you go into the robot field to rescue it. Then you replace a motor on a conveyor and adjust a barcode scanner. Downtime costs thousands per minute, so you work fast.
Based on BLS industrial machinery mechanics.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate or certificate in mechatronics, industrial maintenance, or electronics.
Ways in: 2-year college, Trade school, Military, Apprenticeship. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Mechatronics, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Electronics Technology.
Growing much faster than average (about 13% over 10 years). BLS projects industrial machinery mechanics to grow much faster than average.
Low risk for 10 years. More robots mean more repairs; hands-on fixing of conveyors and robots is a fast-growing, AI-proof skill.
Classes: Electronics, Physics, Robotics or engineering CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 49-9041.
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