A robotics engineer makes machines sense, decide, and move. Day to day you read sensor data, write control code, design or review mechanical and electrical parts, test robots, debug them, and support them after they ship. Most hires have a bachelor's degree (about half) or a master's (about 17%), but employers mostly want proof you can build things that work. This roadmap goes in three stages: first the math, programming and mechanics that everything rests on; then the core robotics stack (ROS 2, kinematics, sensing, control) with a real project; then advanced work in perception, planning and
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Stage 1 of 3 · about 16 weeks
Be comfortable with the math, Python/C++ programming, Linux, Git and basic electronics and mechanics that robotics sits on, and build your first moving thing.
Programming in Python and C++ on Linux
Robot software is mostly C++ and Python running on Linux. Python lets you prototype quickly; C++ gives the speed that real-time control and perception need. The command line and Git are how teams share and ship code.
Math for robotics: linear algebra, calculus, probability
Every robot pose is a vector or matrix, every motion is a derivative, and every sensor is noisy, so you need probability. Without this, kinematics and state estimation are just magic formulas.
Basic electronics and microcontrollers
Robots are circuits first. You must know voltage, current, resistance, how motors are driven, and how a microcontroller reads sensors, otherwise you will burn parts and misread bugs as software problems.
Mechanics and CAD
Task lists for this job include designing end-of-arm tooling and reviewing designs. You need statics, torque, gears, and the ability to model a part in CAD so someone can build it.
Then 2 more stages (about 72 weeks in all) with lessons, drills, projects, 6 interview questions with strong answers and free resources.