Robert L. Norton earned undergraduate degrees in both mechanical engineering and industrial technology at Northeastern University and an MS in engineering design at Tufts University. He was awarded a Dr. Eng. (h.c.) by WPI in 2012. He is a registered professional engineer in Massachusetts and Florida.

He has extensive industrial experience in engineering design and manufacturing and many years' experience teaching mechanical engineering, engineering design, computer science, and related subjects at Northeastern University, Tufts University, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Norton has been on the faculty of Worcester Polytechnic Institute since 1981 and is currently Milton Prince Higgins II Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the mechanical engineering department. He taught undergraduate and graduate courses in mechanical engineering with an emphasis on design, kinematics, vibrations, and dynamics of machinery for 31 years at WPI before retiring from active teaching.