Our world is going digital. Even though everything is “online,” there are still physical products that need to be produced. In fact, the rise of AI, automation, robotics, and other high-tech advancements in society means that we create more things than ever before! There is a boom happening in manufacturing. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, there were an average of 12.8 million manufacturing employees in the U.S. in 2019, with an average annual pay of $87,185 in 2018. The industry is growing, and quickly. This means there are more careers within the manufacturing field, including high-tech mechatronics careers.
The future moves fast. Manufacturing is considered one of the most cutting-edge industries, requiring highly skilled professionals who have a creative mind, motivated work ethic, and pure passion for their craft. Mechatronics is a multifaceted field that combines several types of engineering – mechanical, computer, and electrical – with machining, robotics, and information technology. It is, arguably, the most forward-looking sector within the manufacturing industry today.
If you are looking for an exciting, hands-on career in manufacturing, you may be curious to learn more about mechatronics. What are some of the mechatronics career options available? Which can you attain relatively quickly, without investing significant time in engineering school? Read on, as we explore some of the mechatronics careers you can consider after just a few months in a training program.
- Calibration technician
A Calibration technician assembles, calibrates, and maintains various instruments and equipment that measure heat, light, voltage, amperage, weight, vacuum, magnetic resistance, etc. Professionals with this title perform performance and reliability tests on equipment. They also make adjustments as needed to comply with government, industry, and organizational standards.
Calibration technicians typically need 1-3 years of related experience or training, and can earn a median salary of about $65K in Connecticut, according to Salary.com.
- Electromechanical technician
Electromechanical technicians operate, test, and maintain automated, robotic electromechanical equipment. These professionals work closely with electrical and mechanical engineers. They work in a range of industrial environments, such as:
- Aerospace
- Communications equipment manufacturing
- Computer
- Energy
- Plastics
Electromechanical technicians typically need to hold an associate degree or postsecondary certificate in a related field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ETs earned a median pay of nearly $60K in 2020.
- Industrial networking technician
A network technician is responsible for implementing, maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting computer and network systems. These professionals set up Internet connections, establish different types of networks, and connect them for an organization.
According to the career search site Zippia, network technicians in Connecticut earn an average salary of $72,724 per year. Employers typically require some level of postsecondary education, such as a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree, depending on the organization.
- Maintenance technician
Maintenance technicians oversee and perform ongoing facility maintenance and complete repairs on equipment within an organization. Their duties can range from fixing machinery to plumbing and heating, and everything in between. Safety is a top priority for these professionals, and so they often inspect buildings to confirm safety standards and schedule major repairs with the facility’s inhabitants.
While a high school diploma or equivalent is the typical education requirement for this role, many employers today are looking for professionals with some level of mechatronics training wherein skills have been acquired. According to ZipRecruiter, the average maintenance technician in Connecticut earns $55,448 per year.
- Process development technician
A process development technician designs, develops, and implements new processes and equipment into a manufacturing facility. These professionals lead training efforts for production trainers, operators, manufacturing technicians on new processes of operation.
Process development technicians earn an average salary of nearly $53K per year, according to ZipRecruiter.
All Mechatronics Careers Should Start with a Solid Foundation
Before jumping into any of these exciting, hands-on mechatronics careers, you will want to start with a career-focused education and training program. In pursuing such a program, you will be equipped and ready to work in an array of manufacturing environments and mechatronics-driven careers. You will gain the knowledge and skillset needed for success, and you will also have the right training needed to hit the ground running.
A mechatronics certificate program, like the one offered at Goodwin University, can also be completed relatively fast. At Goodwin, students complete their training in just two semesters full-time. Courses are also taught by industry experts whose experience can offer insight better than any textbook. Goodwin is a leading manufacturing school in Connecticut—the future industry professionals who pursue training from this institution typically stand out among the competition.
Are you ready to jumpstart your mechatronics career? Get started today! Call 800-889-3282 or visit us online to request more information.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.