This apprenticeship standard has been approved for delivery by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. However, starts on the apprenticeship will only be possible once a suitable end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) is in place. Once an EPAO is in place, funding for apprentice starts will be permitted and this message will be removed.
This occupation is found in a range of sectors, such as manufacturing, transport and logistics, construction, space, automotive, medical, and health. These may include potentially hazardous environments such as defence, off-shore oil and gas and nuclear, and complex environments like sterile manufacturing in pharma, medicines, and clean rooms in electronics manufacturing.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to invent, design and implement new robotic solutions for challenges that have not currently been solved using new scientific advanced engineering methods and techniques. The advanced robotics engineer will operate in a field where robotics is an emerging technology that can advance automation in complex and unstructured environments, which is not possible when using existing solutions. The responsibilities of the advanced robotics engineer include designing prototypes, testing machines and mechanical frameworks, developing algorithms, and building control systems. The engineer will also conduct research in various robotics fields, make recommendations, design processes and prototypes to build robotic solutions, and test robotics systems or solutions.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of stakeholders who can be both internal and external, including robot technicians, software engineers, project and product managers, the senior leadership team, management representatives, end users, installation teams, shop floor and warehouse staff, communications and marketing team members and a multi-disciplinary project team. The working locations will vary depending on the nature of application and range from office, warehouse, robot labs, manufacturing sites, outdoor such as construction sites, to remote robotic deployment locations for example off-shore sites or underwater sites.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for providing technical leadership, design and input in a multi-disciplinary project team. They will have a high degree of skills and experience in robotics, mathematics, systems and software and will be responsible for ensuring the design of sustainable, ethical and safe robotic systems.
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
|
Duty 1 Initiate, design, plan and lead research activities to determine feasibility and applicability of complex robotic solutions including the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning). |
|
|
Duty 2 Use appropriate evaluation methodologies, benchmarking and acceptance criteria to capture technical, user and environmental requirements and identify constraints. Identify and design suitable architectures for robotic systems to meet the target requirements, performance and sustainability criteria. |
|
|
Duty 3 Design, simulate and optimise robotic processes and parts using appropriate methodologies and tools (such as Computer Aided Engineering Design and simulation tools) and evaluate using appropriate means. Analyse and account for any limitations in the tools being used. |
|
|
Duty 4 Design and implement sustainable robotic solutions to fulfil customer and technical requirements and relevant standards. Build condition based monitoring into the robotic system for continuous monitoring of performance. Consider the whole product lifecycle and environmental impact in the course of system and component design. |
|
|
Duty 5 Establish categories of target end-users, apply design thinking, User Experience (UX) and product design skills in developing and integrating intuitive or collaborative human-robot interfaces, taking into account the ethical and human experience such as safety, trust, fear and acceptance. |
|
|
Duty 6 Collect and analyse data from robot sensors and cameras using advanced techniques. Formulate actions and recommendations based on the patterns identified. |
|
|
Duty 7 Apply engineering and scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills in investigating the root cause of faults and exercise broad autonomy, judgement and leadership in implementing appropriate solutions. |
|
|
Duty 8 Initiate and undertake hazard identification and risk assessment considering the impact on users and the environment. Critically evaluate the results and their short-term and long-term implications to recommend and implement effective mitigation strategies as an ongoing vigilance throughout the product life cycle. |
|
|
Duty 9 Identify interacting factors contributing to system safety compliance and liaise with accredited safety engineers in complex compliance verification procedures. Ensure compliance with relevant standards and quality processes during design and development. |
|
|
Duty 10 Develop software and algorithms in collaboration with other contributors. Use, share and manage access control, version control, software feature requests, tasks, continuous integration and wikis for projects. |
|
|
Duty 11 Build, integrate and test functional robots or robotic systems (multiple robots working in coordination) taking into account hazards and risks in complex and unstructured environments. Take a leading role in demonstrating prototypes and finished products to customers or stakeholders and explain operating procedures. |
|
|
Duty 12 Develop technical reports, presentations and system documents such as tracking project progress, assessing sustainability and technical performance, deployment and maintenance manuals, architecture description, system and user manuals, requirements specification, risks and issue logging. |
|
|
Duty 13 Maintain an active approach to continuous technical and personal development. Provide technical leadership and guidance to colleagues in the relevant areas of expertise. |
K1: Robot and computer hardware design: structure, concepts, and systems architecture for complex robotics applications.
Back to Duty
K2: Mathematical principles for modelling complex robotic systems and their embedded multiple subsystems. Concepts of mathematics to establish algorithmic connection between the perception and action of the robotic systems.
Back to Duty
K3: Artificial intelligence: algorithms and techniques for symbolic programming and task planning for robotics applications. Programming concepts to train Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, also considering ethical aspects, for robotics applications.
Back to Duty
K4: Machine Learning (ML): algorithms and techniques for embedding decision-making capabilities, also considering the ethical aspects, in robotic applications.
Back to Duty
K5: Robotic system architecture and integration principles to design, plan and execute the complex interactions of the robot system within the subsystems of the robot system, with the complex, unstructured and dynamic environment and with other robot systems.
Back to Duty
K6: Principles of sustainability and product lifecycle engineering to design systems, products and processes that maximise energy and material efficiency and minimise the environmental impact.
Back to Duty
K7: Requirements analysis techniques to capture technical, user and environmental system requirements.
Back to Duty
K8: Data engineering principles for data sourcing, transformation and analysis techniques.
Back to Duty
K9: System performance monitoring technologies needed for identifying and continuously monitoring the performance-based metrics of the robotic system.
Back to Duty
K10: Collaborative human-robot interface design principles needed for designing intuitive, user-friendly, safe and ethical systems.
Back to Duty
K11: Reliability engineering principles to design and build reliable, robust, trustworthy and maintainable robotics systems.
Back to Duty
K12: Machine vision (2D and 3D) principles for image processing techniques for scene evaluation, path planning and obstacle avoidance in dynamic and unstructured environments.
Back to Duty
K13: Sensor fusion principles for acquiring and combining data from multiple sensors in different components of the robotic system. Sensor Signal Processing (SSP) and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) techniques for analysing sensor data.
Back to Duty
K14: Critical thinking and problem-solving techniques.
Back to Duty
K15: Systems engineering principles for root cause and fault analysis.
Back to Duty
K16: Hazard identification: principles for defining the risks, their probability, ethical implications, frequency, and severity. Risk assessment principles for evaluating the consequences of risks, their impact and mitigation strategies as required by health and safety documentation.
Back to Duty
K17: Autonomous systems principles for motion and path planning in complex, unstructured and dynamic environments for multi-robot systems.
Back to Duty
K18: Systems engineering principles for designing safety compliant systems considering health and safety requirements for the operating environment.
Back to Duty
K19: Robotics control: kinematics, dynamic systems modelling, and design of control algorithms for trajectory, force, impedance and admittance control.
Back to Duty
K20: Principles of robotic manipulation required for designing end-effectors to handle challenging objects.
Back to Duty
K21: Verification and validation engineering principles for quality control, testing and performance evaluation of the robotic systems.
Back to Duty
K22: Robot programming frameworks, simulation tools, benchmarking methodologies, and proprietary robot programming languages.
Back to Duty
K23: Software engineering, software architecture, compilers, programming languages and networking principles, object-oriented programming, version control, protocols and interface methods for software systems integration in robotic systems.
Back to Duty
K24: Written communication techniques. Plain English principles. Engineering terminology. Report writing.
Back to Duty
K25: Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Matching style to audience. Barriers in communication and ways to overcome them.
Back to Duty
K26: Technical documentation. User, system, deployment, data logging, risk register and maintenance manuals. Content and usage.
Back to Duty
K27: Project management principles: planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk management and resource management.
Back to Duty
K28: Personal and professional development techniques to keep up to date with advances in robotics and related technologies.
Back to Duty
K29: Data governance principles: transparency, accountability, privacy, fairness, ethics, GDPR and cybersecurity.
Back to Duty
K30: Research techniques required for system and solution design and development.
Back to Duty
K31: Industry trends in robotics engineering to keep track of technology advancements, standards and market trends.
Back to Duty
K32: Design thinking, product and user-centred methodology used when developing user interfaces for targeted end-users.
Back to Duty
S1: Plan and lead research and development activities.
Back to Duty
S2: Determine feasibility and applicability of complex robotic solutions.
Back to Duty
S3: Complete requirements gathering, such as, user, technical and environmental and prioritise key areas.
Back to Duty
S4: Design, simulate and optimise processes and parts using tools and methodologies such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) and simulation tools.
Back to Duty
S5: Identify tools and evaluate them using benchmarking methodologies to identify their limitations and capabilities for carrying out the design and simulation of robotic processes.
Back to Duty
S6: Build condition based continuous performance monitoring into robotic systems considering interacting factors.
Back to Duty
S7: Design and implement robotic systems, and architecture considering technical requirements and standards.
Back to Duty
S8: Design and implement robotic systems and components with consideration to the whole product lifecycle including sustainability and environmental impact for both short-term and long-term.
Back to Duty
S9: Design and develop intuitive and collaborative human-robot interfaces considering design thinking, product and user-centred methodology, ethical, safety, trust, fear and acceptance criteria.
Back to Duty
S10: Apply design thinking, product and user-centred methodology in developing user interfaces for targeted end-users.
Back to Duty
S11: Use advanced techniques such as Sensor Signal Processing (SSP), Digital Signal Processing (DSP), intelligent signal classification and interpretation, to collect, process and analyse data from sensors and cameras.
Back to Duty
S12: Analyse data and use outcomes to make recommendations and formulate action plans.
Back to Duty
S13: Communicate verbally to stakeholders through mechanisms such as presentations, digital media and discussions.
Back to Duty
S14: Assess robot system safety compliance through hazard identification, safety risk assessment and risk mitigation.
Back to Duty
S15: Design and implement robotic software according to software engineering principles and practices with the aid of software integration tools.
Back to Duty
S16: Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders both internal and external to the organisation. Strategically manage differing and competing interests with stakeholders.
Back to Duty
S17: Manage projects with consideration for various interacting factors such as people and resources, budget, risks, organisational, time and task management, legal, contractual and statutory requirements.
Back to Duty
S18: Demonstrate prototypes and finished products to end-users and stakeholders.
Back to Duty
S19: Select and use tools for tasks such as integration, fabrication, construction, and manufacturing.
Back to Duty
S20: Written communication using design models, drawings, specifications, reports and technical documentation such as data logging and risk registers.
Back to Duty
S21: Identify and complete opportunities for personal and professional development. Mentor and guide colleagues on the technical aspects of robotics and related technologies.
Back to Duty
S22: Apply current state-of-the-art technologies in solution design and development.
Back to Duty
S23: Apply structured problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical skills.
Back to Duty
S24: Use advanced technologies to carry out regular system inspection, critical evaluation, quality control, testing and maintenance procedures.
Back to Duty
S25: Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity and inclusion.
Back to Duty
B1: Act as a role model and advocate for health and safety across the team.
Back to Duty
B2: Act in a professional and ethical manner.
Back to Duty
B3: Collaborate and promote teamwork across disciplines.
Back to Duty
B4: Commit to their own and support others’ professional development.
Back to Duty
B5: Lead by example to promote innovation.
Back to Duty
B6: Lead by example to promote accessibility, equality, diversity and inclusion.
Back to Duty
B7: Adapt to challenging or changing situations.
Back to Duty
B8: Act as a role model and advocate environmental and sustainable practices.
Back to Duty
English and maths qualifications must be completed in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.
This standard partially aligns with the following professional recognition:
Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for Chartered Engineer (CEng)
This programme has been designed to align with the requirements of the engineering profession. This does not guarantee recognition by either the Engineering Council or the professional engineering institutions (PEIs) it licenses, unless the programme has been formally recognised (approved or accredited) by one or more PEIs and listed on the Engineering Council’s recognised course search database which can be found on their website. Anyone seeking professional registration or further advice is advised to contact the appropriate PEI to discuss their application.
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
This programme has been designed to align with the requirements of the engineering profession. This does not guarantee recognition by either the Engineering Council or the professional engineering institutions (PEIs) it licenses, unless the programme has been formally recognised (approved or accredited) by one or more PEIs and listed on the Engineering Council’s recognised course search database which can be found on their website. Anyone seeking professional registration or further advice is advised to contact the appropriate PEI to discuss their application.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 26/04/2024 | Not set |
Crown copyright © 2025. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence