Technological development is creating numerous new opportunities in the job market. Professions related to production automation and robotization are expected to become increasingly important in the coming years.If this field interests you, and your skills or inclinations align with it, it’s worth exploring which competencies and qualifications are most valuable. Learn in detail what automation specialists and robotics specialists actually do, and how they contribute to modern production processes.
What does the work of an automation specialist and robotics specialist involve and what does their career path look like?
Although automation and robotics are often used interchangeably, in practice they cover slightly different areas of work. Consequently, the roles of automation specialists and robotics specialists can vary widely. These professionals are needed in areas such as design, construction, programming, and implementation of machines and systems.
Automation specialist profession – scope of duties, competencies and qualifications
The profession of an automation specialist primarily involves working with existing systems and production lines. Such specialists often use mass-produced controllers and devices. Their responsibilities typically include programming controllers and ensuring the smooth operation of automated production lines. Key skills for this role include knowledge of electrical engineering and pneumatics, industrial networks, PLC programming languages, and the ability to operate diagnostic tools used on production lines.
Robotics specialist profession – scope of duties, competencies and qualifications
The work of a robotics specialist typically focuses on specific components of automation and robotization systems. These specialists design, build, and engineer machines that are later used by automation specialists and implemented on production lines at end customers. The solutions they develop are applied in devices such as robotic arms, grippers, and vision systems installed in industrial facilities.
As a result, the robotics specialist often works in more controlled environments, such as research laboratories, and less frequently directly on production floors.
Both production automation and robotization are key areas of expertise at Taskoprojekt S.A. If you are interested in building a career in these fields, be sure to check our current job opportunities.
The path from operator to implementation engineer – what does it look like in practice?
A common career path for an implementation engineer often begins with hands-on experience as a machine operator, progressing through increasingly responsible roles until reaching a specialist position. While formal education and courses in automation or robotics are valuable, nothing replaces practical experience, which allows employees to understand the challenges faced daily by production line operators.
A typical approach is to develop the skills of the most capable operators, who may first become team leaders and, over time, transition into roles as implementation specialists, applying their hands-on knowledge to the deployment of automation and robotic systems.
Robotics specialist or automation specialist – what must a worker in these professions be characterized by?
In both professions, certain personal traits and predispositions are particularly valued. Key qualities include:
- Resistance to stress and time pressure,
- Analytical thinking,
- Patience,
- Accuracy,
- Creativity,
- Spatial imagination.
Depending on the role, teamwork skills can also be important. A professional managing a team should foster good relationships and support employee well-being, which in turn improves overall efficiency. Equally important is the ability to empathize with clients and end users, as this helps engineers understand expectations and design solutions that truly meet the needs of those who will use them.
