Mechatronics Careers: Overview, Demand, Jobs, Salaries, and

Top Universities

“Mech-a-what?” “What’s a mech-aaaa-TRON-ic engineer?” “What’s

mechatronics?” “So, you’re a mechanical engineer?” This is what Kelli Wildman
typically hear after introducing herself as a mechatronic engineer. A lot of people
are not really aware of the field of mechatronics. However, it’s a very interesting
area with excellent career scopes. In this article, we will look at the mechatronics
overview, subject areas, career scopes, jobs, salaries, and top universities.

What is Mechatronics?

The word mechatronics was invented by the Japanese engineer Ko Kikuchi in

1969. It is a combination of the terms ‘mechanical‘ (“mecha” for mechanisms, i.e.,
machines that ‘move’) and ‘electronics‘. The word reflects the basic nature of this
field, to integrate electrical and mechanical systems in a single device.

Mechatronics Careers and Job opportunities.

Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field of engineering that includes a

combination of mechanical engineering, robotics, electronics, computer
engineering, telecommunications engineering, systems engineering, and control
engineering. Mechatronics focuses on designing, manufacturing and maintaining
products that have both mechanical and electronic components.

Mechatronics can be defined in multiple ways. Here are a few key ones:

(1) The incorporation of electronics into mechanisms

(2) The integration of mechanical engineering with electronics and intelligent
computer control

(3) The use of a synergistic integration of mechanics, electronics, and computer

technology to produce enhanced products or systems

(4) The application of complex decision making to the operation of physical

systems

(5) The addition of intelligence to a mechanical design or replacing mechanical

designs with an intelligent electronic solution

(6) The synergistic combination of mechanical engineering, electronic

engineering, and software engineering

The ultimate goal of mechatronics is to develop useful products and more

economical, reliable, and versatile systems. Examples of mechatronic systems
include robots, air-bag systems, digital cameras, and aircraft cruise control.

‘Aliases’ for Mechatronics aka Mechatronic Engineering

Mechatronic engineering is an emerging field but it has been around in one form
or another for some time. Mechatronic engineers have been cleverly disguised as
many of the following: Automation Engineer, Control System Engineer, Data
Logging Engineer, Instrumentation Engineer, Project Engineer, Software Engineer,
Systems Engineer, and Service Engineer.

Overlapping of Mechatronics with Robotics and Automation Engineering

Robotics is considered a subset of mechatronics since almost all robots are

mechatronic but not all mechatronic systems are robots.

A robot is a great example of a mechatronic system. Most robots integrate

software, electronics, and mechanical designs in a synergistic manner (meaning
that the separate parts act together in such a way that the combined effect is
stronger than the sum of the separate effects of each one of the components).

Other examples of mechatronics are the digital thermostat and the anti-lock
brake system. Both were originally designed as mechanical systems and have
been improved later by their integration with electronic controls and digital
computing elements.

What is Mechatronics

Image Source: Automation World

Like Mechatronics Engineering, the combination Mechanical and Automation

Engineering is an example of an interdisciplinary field that integrates mechanical
systems with electronics, control, and computer technologies. Additionally, in
Mechanical and Automation Engineering, there is a focus on process control,
networking, and computer interface and software, apart from mechanical system
design and analysis.
Some examples of courses in Mechanical and Automation Engineering are
mechanics and materials, thermal-fluids, dynamics and control, electronics,
robotics, design, and manufacturing.

Why Mechatronics is in Great Demand?

In this 21st century, the global economy demands more and more polymaths.
Research has shown that people with multiple interests and cross-disciplinary
expertise are more likely to be successful. Even employers prefer techies with
cross-disciplinary skills.

Hence Mechatronics Engineering which is a combination of different engineering

subjects is a new generation course and has a huge potential to grow by leaps and
bounds not only in India but also abroad. The aspirants who want to broaden
their knowledge in the field of engineering can pursue this course and this course
is very ideal for them.

It is hard to find a product in today’s world which is entirely electronic, electrical

or mechanical in nature. This means that today’s product is a blend of different
engineering subjects. Mechatronics Engineering is a blend of different engineering
disciplines and so the demand for Mechatronics Engineers is growing day by day.

Mechatronics and Robotics

Mechatronics is already central to the modern global economy. According to a

study by the National Instruments Corporation, machine manufacturers all over
the world report having to build machines that are increasingly more complex, yet
have less and less time to market those machines. In response to this pressure,
most design companies and manufacturers are relying increasingly on
mechatronics. According to the Aberdeen Group, a technology think-tank, the
most successful companies are the ones that use mechatronics or similar
collaborative processes.

Most of the engineering-oriented business and industrial sectors are now paying
attention towards Mechatronics Engineering as it has several applications in these
sectors. Not only large global enterprises but also smaller innovative companies
are hiring Mechatronics Engineers as these industries are inclining towards
advanced technologies more and more.

Graduates of Mechatronics Engineering can find employment opportunities in

several industries such as Robotics, Nanotechnology, Automation, Aircraft
Engineering, Oceanography, Oil and Gas, Biomedical Systems, Transport, and
Computer-aided design. Mechatronics is very useful when it comes to automation
of industrial tasks.

Job Prospects of Mechatronics

Mechatronics Engineers design, develop, maintain and manage engineering

systems that have the cutting-edge sophisticated technology. Mechatronics
Engineering professional plays a key role in areas such as design, research, and
development, sales, production management, safety, and quality.

Today’s mechanical devices are composed of electrical, software and mechanical

components. These kinds of devices are designed and manufactured by
Mechatronics Engineer. Synonymously Mechatronic product is called the smart
product, which is a result of the combination of three engineering disciplines
namely Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, and Computer Science & Software
Engineering.
Subject Areas

The aspirants of Mechatronics Engineering must possess an undergraduate

(B.Tech) degree in the following Engineering disciplines, viz. Mechatronics
Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics &
Telecommunication Engineering, and Computer Science & Applications
Engineering to apply for the M.Tech course in different Engineering Institutions.

Mechatronics Careers and Jobs

Typical Bachelor Course Curriculum (Image Source: www.collegesearch.in)

Most of the aspirants pursue an M.Tech degree in Mechatronics Engineering to

enter in this field. The probable candidates who want to enroll in the M.Tech
degree of Mechatronics Engineering offered by different Engineering Institutions
should have a sound knowledge in Calculus, Engineering fundamentals, Physics
and to some extent Chemistry.

After completing these basic science courses the candidates need to study topics
based on circuit analysis, digital controls, and robotics. Design and Laboratory
courses are included in the programmes of most of the Engineering Institutions.
These courses provide the students the necessary knowledge in testing the
materials used in different Mechatronics products and manufacturing processes.

In terms of Computer knowledge, the Mechatronics Engineering professionals

need to have solid knowledge in Computer-aided Design software to complete
work in an Engineering project.

What do Mechatronic Engineers do?

Mechatronic engineers work in companies that require hi-tech input into what
they are developing. They may work in a laboratory, a processing plant or an
engineering office but are also research opportunities in emerging fields like
bioengineering, nanotechnology, and robotics.

Essentially, if you design CD drives, robots, anti-lock brakes, copy machines, or

any other devices that can be remotely operated by a computer, you work in the
mechatronics industry.

Typical job responsibilities of mechatronic engineers are:

Develop new solutions to industrial problems using mechanical and electronic

processes and computer technology.

Design and build completely new products by integrating various technologies, for
example, developing robotic vehicles for underwater exploration.

Build and test factory production lines introducing automation to improve existing
processes.

Maintain and improve previous industrial and manufacturing processes and

designs, for example, robotic lawn mowers and robot floor cleaners.

Design, develop, maintain and manage high technology engineering systems for
the automation of industrial tasks.

Apply mechatronic or automated solutions to the transfer of material,

components or finished goods.

Apply advanced control systems, which are usually computer-driven.

Apply electronic and mechanical processes and computers to tasks where the use
of human labor may be dangerous (like underwater exploration, mining or
forestry).
Study the feasibility, cost implications and performance benefits of new
mechatronic equipment.

Carry out the modeling, simulation, and analysis of complex mechanical,

electronic or other engineering systems using computers.

Careers in Mechatronics

A water bottle crusher is also a product of Mechatronics; you don’t need to be a

perfect artist to make good designs.

Useful Software and Tools for Mechatronics

Works®

DraftSight™

AutoCAD®

Autodesk Fusion 360™

Arduino™

Raspberry Pi®

Dremel® tools

digital multimeter

soldering iron

drill press and other standard shop tools and hand tools

3D printers (we run MakerBot® printers at the office)

90W 48″x36″ laser cutter

Read:

Interview with a Mechatronics Engineer

Interview with an MS Mechatronics Student at New York University’s Tandon
School of Engineering

Mechatronics Salaries and Career Outlook

The Mechatronics Engineers actively participate in the product research &

development process. The produced machines may be from any industry or
located in any location. The Mechatronics Engineering career is very much
sustainable and will play a key role in any future innovations.

The qualifications, work experience, and ability are the key factors to determine
the salary of the engineering profession. In India, the starting salary of a fresh
Engineer will range from Rs.15,000 to Rs.20,000 per month, with allowances.
Those who have gained experience can receive remuneration ranging from
Rs.25,000 to Rs.40,000 per month within India.

Needless to say the employment opportunities and compensation, allowance

figures are much better abroad.

Mining, Quarrying, and Oil & Gas Extraction Industry (Salary=$103,380)

Public Administration (Salary=$102,400)

Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Industry (Salary=$99,720)

Information Industry (Salary=$90,790)

Manufacturing Industry (Salary=$89,790)

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry (Salary= $88,720)

Health Care & Social Assistance (Salary=$67,570)

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing Industry (Salary=$71,080)

Other Services except for Public Administration (Salary=$72,810)

Construction Industry (Salary=$74,750)

Retail Trade Industry (Salary=$75,920)

Finance and Insurance (Salary=$79,140)

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected job growth from the
year 2014 to 2024 is 5% for Mechatronics/Mechanical Engineers and -1% for
Electronics Engineers. It means there is an increase in the employment
opportunities for Mechatronics/Mechanical Engineering jobs in the above
mentioned year span and a decline in the Electronics Engineering jobs in the same
period.