I work as a Robotics Engineer, doing software, sensors, motors, controls and hardware integration.

Engineering.

About 5 years at this point.

I'd put software, sensors, motors, controls and hardware integration at the top of the list.

Basically, the organization needs someone responsible for this area so problems don't just get passed around. I learned that pretty quickly.

It contributes pretty directly. If my part is late or wrong, somebody else usually gets held up. That's been my experience anyway.

Mornings are normally planning and messages. After that I try to get a decent block of time for software, sensors, motors, controls and hardware integration.

There are weekly things I could almost do in my sleep now, plus longer projects that change every few months. I learned that pretty quickly.

Deadlines are just part of it. The stressful ones usually happen when several things land at once. That changed a little once I had more experience.

This role is mostly in person because of the kind of work I do. Some coworkers would probably answer differently.

For the actual work: Python/C++, ROS, CAD, electronics tools and simulation.

I work alone on parts of it, but decisions usually involve other people. That's the part I notice most.

The common path is robotics, mechanical, electrical or computer engineering.

Certifications can help. Experience still matters more once you've been working for a while. It depends on the project, though.

Knowing the technical basics matters, but so does being able to explain a problem clearly. Some coworkers would probably answer differently.

My hours move around a little, but it's a full-time schedule. It took me a while to get used to that.

The schedule is set more by the work than by me. That changed a little once I had more experience.

Work-life balance depends more on the employer than the title, in my opinion. That's the part I notice most.

I interact with a lot of people outside my specialty because my work affects theirs. The exact mix changes from week to week.

I've seen people move into leadership, consulting and specialist roles. That's the part I notice most.

You usually start with smaller assignments, then get trusted with more complicated ones. I didn't really understand that until I started working.

You can move into training, operations, management or a neighboring specialty. It depends a lot on who you're working with.

It depends on the location. I wouldn't call it impossible to find work, but good openings can still be competitive. My last job handled it differently.

Getting good information on time is a constant problem. It took me a while to get used to that.

The field should still be around. Some entry-level tasks may look very different. It's not something I thought about before I started.

Automation will take pieces of the job. The people who know the field well enough to check the automated work will still be needed. That matters more than I expected.

Compensation varies by employer, region and specialty, so a national average can be misleading. Some months are completely different.

For employees, healthcare and retirement are common. Self-employed people have to cover those themselves. I didn't really understand that until I started working.

Learn the fundamentals first. Tools change, fundamentals don't change nearly as fast. It took me a while to get used to that.

Volunteer or take a part-time role where someone is actually relying on you. Some months are completely different.

I liked the subject in school and the first internship confirmed I liked the work too. That's the part I notice most.

The people are probably the best part for me. At my workplace, at least.

Repetitive follow-up emails. It's not something I thought about before I started.

People underestimate how much preparation happens before the part they actually see. That's how it works on my team.

A person who can take feedback without getting defensive has an advantage. I notice it more during busy weeks.

If you really dislike working with other people, this could be frustrating. My last job handled it differently.

I was surprised that experienced people still ask each other basic questions. Nobody knows everything. At my workplace, at least.

I'd spend less time worrying about picking the perfect career and more time trying things. My last job handled it differently.

I should've asked about workplace culture during interviews, not just salary. Some months are completely different.

Training a newer coworker and watching them become independent was a good moment. It's not something I thought about before I started.

The biggest change is that people now come to me for answers I used to ask somebody else for. Some months are completely different.

Very little travel for me. A late evening happens once in a while. It depends on the project, though.