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Can A Mechanical Engineer Become an Automation Engineer

If you are studying to become a mechanical engineer but feel a pull toward automation engineering, you are in luck.

A mechanical engineer can easily become an automation engineer, as it is a closely related discipline.

Read more about how a mechanical engineer can become an automation engineer below.

Can Mechanical Engineer Become An Automation Engineer?

A mechanical engineer can become an automation engineer, as they already have the foundation in engineering to succeed in the discipline.

Since it is a relatively new and rapidly evolving domain, automation engineering is not as well-devleoped as other engineering fields.

As such, you do not need to concentrate on automation engineering to become an automation engineer.

You can study mechanical engineering and move into automation engineering, concentrating on the mechanical processes of machines.

Your technical abilities, problem-solving skills, creativity, and logical reasoning will take you far in the domain.

Alternatively, you can study mechanical engineering and then specialize in automation engineering by taking special courses or earning certificates.

For instance, you can focus on building AI and robot machines by pursuing a Master’s in this discipline, or you could obtain training in machine learning or artificial intelligence.

Learn more: Can A Mechanical Engineer Do Robotics?

Is Automation And Mechanical Engineering The Same?

Although their objectives are similar, automation and mechanical engineering are not the same disciplines.

Mechanical engineers strive to design efficient machines that solve consumer problems or fill gaps in the market.

Automation engineers aim to design new machines or improve existing devices to reduce the amount of human intervention.

Therefore, automation engineers also solve consumer problems.

Automation is simply a more precise distinction.

Furthermore, although automation engineers may concentrate on mechanical processes, other necessary elements exist.

For instance, automation engineers can also work on electrical components or software programming.

Is Automation For Mechanical Or Electrical Engineering?

Mechanical or electrical engineers can go into automation as they offer substantial knowledge and skills for the automation industry.

Since automation works with machines containing electrical networks and systems, both engineers will be necessary to complete teams and projects.

That said, mechanical engineers may have the most luck finding jobs in automation.

This is mainly because mechanical engineers understand how a machine works in detail and what they can accomplish.

If mechanical engineers learn programming and other crucial courses, they can excel in automation easily.

Learn more: Can An Electrical Engineer Be A Software Engineer?

Can A Mechanical Engineer Work In Automation?

Mechanical engineers can work in the automation industry, and in fact, they are crucial to successful automation.

Automation works to reduce the amount of human intervention needed within manufacturing, distribution, and consumer goods and products themselves.

Since mechanical engineers focus on ensuring machines work properly and efficiently, they can design and develop self-operating machines.

Thinking about the prospects of automation engineering? Don’t miss our guide on the pros and cons of automation engineering.

What Does A Mechanical Engineer Do In Automation?

Mechanical engineers can work in different job positions in automation.

The most in-demand positions include:

  • Research & Development : R&D engineers carry out research and testing upon materials, parts, products, and redesigned products. They compile results, and they may provide interpretations of the data.
  • Product Design & Development Engineer: They work in conceptualizing, designing, and overseeing the development of products and redesigns.
  • Equipment Engineer: Equipment engineers design, inspect, repair, and maintain the equipment necessary to build products. They may also redesign and optimize these machines.
  • Power Engineer: Power engineers design, develop, inspect, repair, and maintain industrial equipment.
  • Manufacturing Engineer: Manufacturing engineers optimize production and other operations.
  • Hardware engineers: They design, develop, and improve computer components and their complete systems.
  • Control Systems Engineer: Control systems engineers design and develop complex machine systems.
  • Test Engineer: Test engineers test products or their redesigns. They may also compile the data and provide easy-to-read results for other departments. They may offer solutions to the design or development team.
  • Quality Assurance Engineer: Quality assurance engineers create and build the tests products must complete before approval.

Is Automation A Good Career?

Automation engineering is an excellent career path.

This may be an outstanding field if you enjoy creativity, detail-oriented work, and problem-solving.

You will find numerous job opportunities in this quickly-growing domain, as you can work in nearly any industry.

Along the same lines, you can expect to experience job stability, career advancement, and new education and training opportunities throughout your career.

Many automation engineers earn more than $95,000 annually and have good benefits packages.

As mentioned, since automation engineering is a relatively new field, you may also have an easier time specializing in it than other, more established engineering jobs.

Learn more: Can Mechanical Engineers Work As Civil Engineers?

What Degree Do You Need For Automation?

Automation engineers must complete an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, another closely related engineering discipline, or computer science.

There are a few universities that offer automation engineering as a degree, however, it is not a widely popular specialization yet.

If you complete an engineering degree, you can take supplementary courses or earn certifications in programming, AI and robotics, artificial neural networks, and control systems.

You can also specialize in one of these domains while pursuing a graduate degree.

How To Become An Automation Engineer?

You can become an automation engineer in many ways.

As long as you have a background in engineering or computer science, you can work in the automation industry.

You may choose to bolster your resume by obtaining special certifications, acquiring programming skills, earning higher academic degrees, maintaining an internship, or gaining experience in engineering firms.

After completing your education and training, you may wish to look into some of the following top-rated companies for automation engineers:

  • Siemens
  • ABB
  • Emerson
  • Rockwell Automation
  • Google
  • Honeywell
  • Apple
  • Microsoft
  • Omron
  • Schneider Electric

Learn more: Best Tech Companies For Mechanical Engineers

Final Thoughts

Mechanical engineering is an excellent base for pursuing automation.

As a mechanical engineer, you can design and develop innovative machines that radically alter human labor or create a new level of convenience.

Now that you understand what a mechanical engineer can do in automation and how you could pursue a career in automation, it is time to make your dream a reality.