<p>I'm considering applying to a PhD program in robotics. I currently hold a BS in Aerospace Engineering and an MEng in Space Systems Engineering (graduated '08). I've been working in the Aerospace/Satellite design industry for the past 2 years now as a systems engineer with a focus on verification. Right now I find my job isn't challenging me enough technically, and I'd really like to get back into the world of design-build-test-operate that I was exposed to in college. Most of my focus in school had been on structural design, considerations of the space environment on design and orbital dynamics. However, I think I'd like to get more knowledge in the fields of electrical engineering/electronics, programming, controls and mechanisms design.</p>
<p>Having this many interest worries me, though, because it seems like what I'm looking for is practical knowledge in these fields and not so much a "deep dive" knowledge in any one particular research area. I think the best field for me to gain exposure to all of the areas I'd like would be Robotics, most likely as an area of focus through a Mechanical Engineering department. Ideally, I'd like my dissertation/research to be the design, construction and analysis of some sort of novel robot (this has been done for PhD dissertations before) but I'm not sure if this is realistic considering the budget required. Also I'm worried that professors are looking for more focused areas of study for their PhD students. My long-term goals would be to either go back into industry as a project lead/chief engineer/principle investigator or start my own engineering company. Becoming an adjunct or visiting professor later in life would also be very appealing to me. I don't want to spend my entire life in academia/research, however.</p>
<p>So, does it sound like I should be pursuing a PhD? I've heard that a Master's would suit me better, but 1.) I don't think a master's would give me enough time to learn everything I'd like to learn, 2.) a PhD would give me something to stand on to pursue my future career goals and 3.) I'm not willing to pay for any more college (took out loans for everything so far). Is robotics the right field for me to be looking at? What other fields might I consider? What area(s) of research might I consider in my field of study? Any recommendations for schools? Thanks!</p>