A mechatronics engineer combines elements of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science to create innovative new systems. From automobiles to televisions to robotic assembly lines, professionals in the field design a wide range of consumer products and industrial machinery. A mechatronics engineer can also contribute to the development of safer and more efficient medical equipment. A mechatronics engineer must be creative, determined, and intuitively understand the complex relationships between mechanics, electronics, and computers, regardless of the nature of the work.
A mechatronics engineer may consult with experts from a variety of disciplines when planning a new project. He or she may consult with marketing managers to see if there is a market for a new design; he or she may also consult with factory workers to see if changes to their equipment would benefit them. The engineer can then start brainstorming, drawing schematics, and using drafting software to create computer models. Depending on the complexity of the system and the available budget, the design phase of a project can take anywhere from a few days to several months.
Following the completion of the plans, a mechatronics engineer leads a team of technicians in the construction of a prototype. Many engineers participate in the testing and inspection of a machine or product after it has been built. They try to anticipate potential setbacks or problems so that they can make the necessary adjustments. Engineers who are confident in their designs can write technical user manuals and file patent applications for them. After that, successful systems can be mass-produced and disseminated.
Many modern advances in medical equipment are due to Mechatronics engineers. Engineers have improved vital sign monitors, computerized tomography scanners, and magnetic resonance imaging devices, among other things. Many mechatronics engineers in the medical industry have some practical or academic experience in the biological sciences in addition to traditional engineering knowledge.
A person interested in becoming a mechatronics engineer should research bachelor’s degree programs in the field. The demand for new engineers has driven up the number of mechatronics programs available around the world in recent years. If a degree in mechanical, electrical, or software engineering is not available, a student can still benefit majoring in those fields. Entry-level positions in local manufacturing plants and product development centers are available to graduates. Before advancing to official mechatronics engineer jobs, new engineers typically spend several years in supervised junior positions to gain experience.