Career prospects

In view of the major technological developments, there is a need for engineers with state-of-the-art knowledge in a broad technical domain of robotics. Robotics Engineers can immediately get to work, apply software to a robot, and get a robot do what they want. The connection between mechanical engineering and artificial intelligence is a complex matter. It is of great added value because these knowledge and skills are currently not contained in one engineering programme. Companies indicate that a Robotics Engineer is indispensable for the further technological development of society and the economy.

The MSc Robotics programme is relevant to industry. This includes established companies such as Philips, Lely, TomTom, and ABB to relatively new companies and start-ups such as Hankampgears, Seatools, 2Getthere, Festo, and Heemskerk Innovative Technology. The combination of mechanical engineering and artificial intelligence in the programme makes Robotics Engineers also attractive for a broader spectrum of companies, such as retailers (e.g., Ahold Delhaize), engineering consultancy companies (e.g., Royal HaskoningDHV), and business consultancy companies (e.g., Roland Berger).

For students who graduate in Robotics, there are no clear-cut job positions yet. The Robotics Engineer will have to earn its place in industry. Partners from the industry will collaborate with the programme during internships and projects to ensure that the student fits in as well as possible within the professional field,

At the start of the first few years, there will be regular meetings with the professional field to receive feedback about the performance from internship and graduation students and alumni. During the realisation of the MSc Robotics programme, several distinguished industrial companies were asked to think along with the programme management. For the industry, it is especially important that the student is educated broadly and is equipped with transferable skills. Ultimately, a delegation from the professional field of robotics is intended to take place in the professional advisory board of mechanical engineering of the faculty ME.