If you’re still in high school and are excited to pursue a career in this dynamic subfield, talk to your high school guidance counselor about adding more relevant courses to your schedule. These include engineering 101, pre-calculus, and advanced physics or chemistry. Courses in circuits, electronics and computer science may also be helpful for you.
After high school, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Although not all universities offer a degree specifically in mechatronics, it’s a good idea to look for one that does. For example, you may earn a mechanical engineering degree that has a concentration in mechatronics.
After earning your bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to take two professional exams. You’ll be eligible to take the first after graduation and the second after acquiring some professional work experience.
Earn Your Mechatronics Degree Emphasis
After high school, your first step toward becoming a mechatronics engineer is to earn your mechatronics degree. For example, you could enroll in a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology with an Emphasis in Mechatronics degree program. Although the specific curriculum depends on the school you choose, you can generally expect to study the following topics:
- Fundamentals of electric circuits, with a look at node analysis, mesh analysis, series and parallel load combinations, transient analysis and operational amplifiers
- 2D and 3D forces on systems in a static state, with real-world applications for static analyses
- The control of electrical mechanical systems with the use of lumped parameter models via advanced control software
- The use of sophisticated computer-aided design (CAD) software for design and manufacturing
- Automation of the manufacturing, assembly and material handling processes
You’ll also study essential core subjects for engineering students, which include calculus, physics and chemistry. You’ll likely take one or more capstone courses, which are project-based classes that give you the opportunity to put what you’ve learned to use. For instance, you’ll conduct research, develop project proposals and feasibility studies, establish a timely workflow with other group members, and design a prototype.
A bachelor’s degree — plus industry credentialing — is generally the highest level of degree needed to pursue a rewarding career in this field.
Earn Your FE Credentials
After earning your bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, you’ll be prepared to sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, which is administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). While the FE exam is not required to become a professional mechatronic engineer, it can be a beneficial credential for your career growth. However, passing this initial exam does not confer licensure — you’ll need to pass a second exam to acquire licensure after gaining some work experience.
The FE exam is a lengthy test that includes one scheduled break. Different versions of the FE exam are available for seven different engineering disciplines. As of now, there is no FE exam specifically for mechatronics engineering. Nevertheless, many inspiring mechatronics engineers take the FE exam in mechanical engineering. You could also opt to take the electrical and computer FE exam.
Acquire Professional Work Experience
Once you pass the FE exam, you’ll be known as an “engineer intern” (EI) or an “engineer-in-training” (EIT). You cannot yet call yourself an “engineer” until you pass the second exam and acquire your engineering license. To qualify to take the exam, you’ll first need to gain several years of full-time work experience. (It’s not necessary to be a licensed engineer to work in an engineering role as an EI or EIT.)
Earn Your PE Credentials
After completing the necessary work requirements, you’ll be eligible to sit for the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. Like the FE exam, the PE exam offers different versions for various engineering disciplines. Although there isn’t yet a mechatronics exam, you could choose to take the PE exam in electrical and computer, control systems, industrial and systems, or mechanical engineering.
After passing your PE exam, you can officially call yourself an engineer. Some states may require mechatronics engineers to periodically renew their license, so be sure to check the requirements for the state where you plan to work.