9 Most Common Mechatronics Careers In India (With Salary)

A career in mechatronics requires a combined knowledge of electronic, mechanical and software engineering to handle automation technology. There are multiple opportunities for individuals with a mechatronics degree in the Indian job market, from the automobile industry to telecommunication. Learning about the diverse areas where mechatronics careers are thriving is crucial to finding the perfect job for yourself. In this article, we explore nine such sectors in India where mechatronic engineers can work, along with their annual salaries.

What are mechatronics careers?

Mechatronics careers involve designing, developing, maintaining and managing complex, technology-dependent engineering systems to automate industrial tasks. This means handling all aspects of automated technology in an industry, like scrutinising existing processes and designs, making recommendations for improvement, developing new products and presenting reports.

Mechatronics professionals improve the production of goods by using a combination of mechanical, electronic and computer engineering principles. Since almost no product in the world is solely electronic, software-based or mechanical, the line between disciplines is quite blurry in the practical field. Therefore, because of their combined knowledge base of the core streams of engineering, mechatronics engineers can apply automated solutions to different stages of production.

Related: Which Is The Best Branch In Engineering?

Basic requirements to pursue a career in mechatronics

Individuals who seek a career in mechatronics may require a bachelor's degree in engineering or related fields. If done in India, this is either a B.Tech., B.E. or a B.Sc. degree. The course aims to train mechatronics engineers to produce and maintain automated machines that have replaced human labour across industries.

To make a successful career in mechatronics, a candidate requires the following critical skills:

• developing solutions to industrial problems with cost efficiency

• integrating various technologies from other fields

• testing machinery products

• optimising existing industrial and manufacturing processes and designs

• application of advanced control systems technology

• budgeting

Related: How To Become A Mechanical Engineer

9 promising mechatronics careers in India

Since mechatronics uses a combination of various engineering fields, there are numerous job opportunities for mechatronics engineers in India. Here are nine jobs you can easily opt for if you have a mechatronics degree:

1. Mechatronics technician

National average salary: ₹4,81,938 per year

Primary duties: From mending ATMs to manufacturing cells, mechatronics technicians handle the repair and maintenance of complex automated machines so that they run without human interference. This usually means coming up with new ideas, planning new projects, drawing plans and designs, creating models, working with other mechatronic technicians to develop prototypes, testing them and troubleshooting to make the necessary adjustments.

Most mechatronic technicians develop automated machines for performing otherwise hazardous tasks for human beings, such as underwater exploration or extraterrestrial mining. This combines mechanical, electrical or computerised processes.

2. Robotics engineer

Average base salary: ₹2,35,343 per year

Primary duties: This profession revolves around building machines and equipment that can carry out human actions. Robotics engineers develop and design robots and robotic systems and handle their manipulation and operation via computers. A professional in this field helps create robotics systems cost-effectively to speed up manufacturing processes in industries.

Robotics finds application in nuclear science, sea exploration, servicing of electric signal transmission, automotive services, designing of bio-medical equipment and more. With a mechatronics degree, you can work in important areas of robotics like design, R&D, manufacturing, production, safety and quality.

3. Automation engineer

National average salary: ₹6,61,905 per year

Primary duties: Automation involves calibrating and handling smart machines according to the industry needs. Automation engineers oversee all aspects of developing automated machinery processes (design, programming, simulation and testing) to execute highly precise tasks. They eliminate all defects and errors with automated goods and services. They use control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in goods and service production. You can practically apply your mechatronics knowledge in industrial automation.

This profession finds extensive use in car manufacturing and food processing industries. As an automation engineer, you can expect to deal with material handling, pneumatic systems, industrial robots and PLC automation. As a mechatronics engineer in the automation field, you may also ensure that the production process functions seamlessly.

Related: What Is Automation Engineering? Definition And Career Advice

4. Instrumentation engineer

National average salary: ₹3,58,443 per year

Primary duties: Instrumentation engineers monitor and manipulate automated machines. They plan, install and maintain the essential components (machinery and control systems) of the manufacturing environment within an organisation. The control processes involved with this task uses sensors that provide feedback about the machinery being used. Instrumentation engineers integrate these sensors with transmitters, recorders, displays and control systems.

Instrumentation engineers play a significant role in the seamless operation of manufacturing units in a company. These engineers typically work in manufacturing or chemical plants, corporate businesses, MNCs, pharmaceuticals, public sector companies, telecommunications, IT and petrochemical industries. It is a multidisciplinary role that requires a thorough understanding of the operational processes within an organisation.

5. Software engineer

National average salary: ₹6,23,718 per year

Primary duties: A software engineer applies scientific principles in developing software and maintains and improves that software for solving multifarious problems. They implement engineering principles to build computer information systems, maintain network security and create web pages. As a mechatronics engineer with basic knowledge of programming languages, coding, version control, design patterns and unit testing, handling software automation processes is easy.

Their key responsibilities include:

• executing complete software development life cycle (SDLC)

• developing flowcharts, layouts and documentation to identify requirements and solutions

• writing well-designed, testable code, documenting and maintaining software functionality

• troubleshooting, debugging and upgrading existing systems

• ensuring timely software updates

6. Electronics engineer

National average salary: ₹2,31,375 per year

Primary duties: Electronic engineers are professionals who design electronic devices and their specific components and systems. They improve the design of a piece of electrical equipment, create user-friendly interfaces and ensure safety regulations. They analyse customer needs to develop electronic system plans, conduct system evaluations, design and repair equipment, improve technical performance, design electronic software for commercial applications and inspect electronics for compliance with safety standards.

A mechatronics engineer can utilise their skills by applying engineering principles related to the interaction of mechanical physics with electronics in automation technologies. This can include robotics, automobile embedded systems, control system for electricity generation (solar, wind, tidal, piezoelectric) and medical devices control systems.

7. Mechanical engineer

National average salary: ₹2,32,166 per year

Primary duties: From a car engine to a watch, a space shuttle to a drill, mechanical engineers manufacture these machines and their respective components, systems and processes. They employ principles of motion, energy and force to develop new technology that meets human needs and makes life more comfortable. Mechanical engineers specialise in designing power-producing machines for moving bodies.

Mechanical engineers are intrinsically involved with all other fields of engineering, like automotive, manufacturing, aeronautic, heating and cooling, to name a few. Since a mechatronics professional already has some basic mechanical knowledge, getting into this field is fairly easy.

8. Quality assurance engineer

National average salary: ₹5,06,324 per year

Primary duties: Quality assurance (QA) engineers assess and maintain the quality of products in manufacturing and software companies. They work in all areas concerned with product improvement, from developing automated versions of conventional machines to testing them in actual scenarios. QA engineers track the development process by testing individual parts of the product to ensure that it meets company standards.

They prevent defects by analysing test results and finding mistakes in a product. Some other key responsibilities include assessing risks, planning ideas to improve product quality, writing test cases, conducting functional tests, identifying problem areas, discussing fixes with developers, tracking the life cycle of errors, re-testing fixed defects, optimising the test process and maintaining test documentation.

9. PLC programmer

National average salary: ₹2,75,789 per year

Primary duties: Professionals who program automated machinery in the manufacturing industry are known as PLC programmers. They control machines and implement logic, sequencing, timing, counting and arithmetic functions through their knowledge of PLC programming languages, automation software and automation equipment. They use a programmable logic controller (PLC), a rugged industrial computer, to write programmes for robotic devices, assembly lines and other manufacturing technologies.

They develop processes and optimise them for maintenance and fault diagnostics and are responsible for designing schematics, writing, documenting, testing and installing programs and providing technical support.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at the time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.