High School

If you are interested in a career in mechatronics engineering, take courses in mathematics (geometry, trigonometry, and calculus), physics, computer science (especially computer-aided design), and mechanical drawing and shop. English and speech classes are also highly recommended because mechatronics engineers need excellent communication skills in order to write reports and interact with a variety of coworkers and vendors.

Postsecondary Education

A growing, but still small, number of colleges and universities offer degrees in mechatronics engineering, including the California State University-Chico, University of Denver, Lawrence Technological University, Middle Tennessee State University, Simon Fraser University, and the University of Detroit Mercy. Typical classes in mechatronics engineering programs include Modern Control Systems, Digital Control Systems, Advanced Control Systems, Engineering Analysis, Advanced Dynamics, Mechanical Vibrations, Mechanical Design of Mechatronic Systems and Robotics, Optimization in Mechatronic Systems, Mechatronic Manufacturing Systems, Advanced Microprocessors, Digital Signal Processing, Intelligent Control, and Intelligent Systems.

If you aren’t able to attend a college that offers a mechatronics engineering major, you can prepare for the field by earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, robotics, control, or computer engineering and augmenting your education with mechatronics engineering classes or pursuing a minor in the field (if it’s offered by your school). Graduate students may be able to design their own mechatronics educational track in consultation with their department head. A master’s degree, or even a Ph.D., in mechatronics, mechanical, electrical, computer, robotics, or control engineering may be necessary to obtain some positions, such as those in research, teaching, and administration.

Other Education or Training

Because mechatronics is such a cutting-edge field, mechatronics engineers need to continue their education, formally or informally, throughout their careers. Seminars, webinars, conferences, workshops, and professional journals serve to educate engineers about developments in the field. For example, ASME International provides conference sessions and courses on topics such as computational fluid dynamics, nanotechnology, nanomechanics, design, quality control, professional ethics, and materials science. The Society of Women Engineers offers conference sessions, webinars, and other education resources on topics such as leadership, career development, and special issues for women in engineering. Other organizations that provide professional development opportunities include the National Society of Professional Engineers, SME, and the American Society for Engineering Education. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification or Licensing

Many mechatronics engineers become certified. For example, the SME offers the certified manufacturing engineering certification to mechanical engineers who work in manufacturing and who meet education and experience requirements. The IEEE Computer Society offers the certified software development associate credential (for graduating software engineers and entry-level software professionals) and the certified software development professional credential (for experienced software designers and engineers) to individuals who meet education and experience requirements and pass an examination. The Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals also provides certification to computer professionals. 

Engineers whose work may affect the life, health, or safety of the public must be registered according to regulations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Licensing requirements vary by state. In general, however, they involve graduating from an accredited college, having four years of work experience, and passing the eight-hour Fundamentals of Engineering exam and the eight-hour Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. Depending on your state, you can take the Fundamentals exam shortly before your graduation from college or after you have received your bachelor’s degree. At that point you will be an engineer-in-training. Once you have fulfilled all the licensure requirements, you receive the designation professional engineer. Visit the NCEES Web site, https://ncees.org, for more information on licensure. 

Those wishing to enter the field of mechatronics should obtain as much experience as possible in high school and college by participating in internships, co-ops, or volunteer or part-time positions at engineering firms or other employers that develop or use electromechanical systems.

To be a successful mechatronics engineer, you should have strong communication and interpersonal skills; have the ability to think analytically to solve problems and work with abstract ideas; be attentive to detail; and be willing to continue to learn throughout your career. Other important traits include good project management skills, creativity and imagination, and the ability to work both independently and as a member of a group.

Mechatronics engineers also must be skilled (or willing to learn) engineering and scientific software such as MATLAB, Simulink, COMSOL, Ansys, C, C++, LabVIEW, CANalyzer, and CANape.