The robotics field is seeing huge growth, most notably in the US, as the country looks to firm up its position as leader in this field in the face of major competition from China, and several other emerging markets. But what does this scaling up mean for USA robotics recruitment and how can professionals secure the best opportunities in the market?

An emerging market

The major scaling up is, naturally, having a significant impact on demand for the already limited pool of robotics specialists currently operating within the USA. The trend is hardly surprising, we are likely on the cusp of another period of technological transformation driven by access to cutting-edge technology, and the US is home to the majority of the world's leading organisations in this field. In fact, 7 of the world’s top 10 businesses by market capitalisation are US-based, tech firms. And it’s not just Silicon Valley businesses leading the way; hubs in the likes of Boston, Detroit, Austin and Pittsburgh are all scaling up to compete with the more established Californian businesses. These locations are where the brunt of advancements in tech and robotics are being seen with major household firms being supported by a broader ecosystem of rapidly growing startups, research institutions, and government initiatives/groups.

The rapid growth has led to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), suggesting that the operational stock of industrial robots in the USA is expected to grow substantially over the coming years. But what specifically is driving the demand for robotics expertise?

Skills shortages

One of the main factors is that robotics technology can be utilised in a variety of fields, from industrial automation to healthcare, logistics, consumer electronics and everything in between. Equally, and rather ironically, another of the key drivers of robotics skills demand is the ongoing skills shortages in the USA. Robotics are, partly, becoming more sought after because of the lack of available and qualified professionals in the market, which is leading businesses to seek increased automation to make themselves less reliant on human talent. That, in turn, means that firms are competing for limited skills in the market, which is ramping up demand further.

Of course, shortages are not the only reason, emerging demand for this tech is also clearly apparent across multiple sectors and vertical markets. One key factor is the rise of the so-called ‘fourth industrial revolution’, or Industry 4.0, which is transforming manufacturing through the integration and adoption of digital technologies. Robotics plays a crucial role in this transformation, enabling increased efficiency, precision, and flexibility in production processes.

On a connected note, the rise of e-commerce and the need for advanced technology and automation within warehouses and distribution centres is also helping businesses to handle ever-rising order volumes whilst managing spiralling operational costs. This wouldn’t be possible without robotic technology growth.

Healthcare is another major potential market; the US is one of several Western countries battling an ageing population, which is pushing up demand for technologies that can assist in surgeries, rehabilitation, and elderly care, providing better outcomes and alleviating the burden on healthcare professionals.

USA robotics recruitment

However, despite the scary headlines, we are some way off the robotic revolution, and in order to exploit the full potential of robotics technology in the US, people will still be needed for the foreseeable future. With this in mind, what skills are in demand in the USA robotics remit?

Of course, not all the demand is for highly technical roles; professionals in fields like sales and business development will also be sought after to help sell products, however, the majority of the demand is heavily weighted towards technological expertise.

Specialist robotics engineers are at the heart of this industry and its projected growth. They design, develop and test robots and businesses are seeking experts with skills in fields such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science, along with proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, and ROS (the rather well-named Robot Operating System). Technicians will also grow in importance to deal with ongoing maintenance and repair of robotics, as well as training others in fields like mechatronics, automation, and electrical systems.

Equally, data scientists and analysts are also key. They generate vast amounts of data that need to be analysed and gauged for optimising performance and outlining future maintenance needs. Those familiar with big data, statistical analysis, and predictive modelling are particularly crucial and therefore in significant demand.

UX designers are also regularly sought after by robotics and technology businesses in order to build intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. Robot technology will only interact more with humans in the future, so those experts who can translate challenging concepts into easy-to-use models will likely benefit. Equally, this also applies to integration with other technologies which is why more firms are increasingly seeking systems integration specialists.

Astute readers may have spotted the common thread tying these roles together…Yes, they’re all impacted by skills shortages, meaning the professionals in the market with these attributes are highly sought after, and hard for businesses to find. If you work in a robotics-related role, or in a position in a lateral field with transferrable skills, then get in contact with our expert team to help you capitalise on the demand for expertise.

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