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What is an automation & controls engineer and how to become one
Automation enhances our lives by enabling higher production rates and increased productivity. Improved safety and better product quality are other advantages brought about by automation. Automation & controls engineers assist the automation process by creating and applying technology that monitors and controls the production and delivery process. If you choose to take a job in this field, you'll be able to give your company a competitive advantage by enabling the designing and building of custom automation equipment.
As an automation & controls engineer, some of your duties may include determining the best way to implement automation, designing and developing software applications based on given requirements and specifications, simulating, testing, and managing electrical or mechanical automation, as well as monitoring the automation processes on an ongoing basis.
To succeed in this career field, you'll need to be a detail-oriented creative thinker with manual dexterity. If you're hoping to get a job in this field, you'll typically need a Bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical engineering.
What general advice would you give to an automation & controls engineer?
Andrea Welker Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University
Avg. Salary $89,542
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 3%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.18%
Asian 14.28%
Black or African American 4.95%
Hispanic or Latino 11.61%
Unknown 4.73%
White 64.25%
Genderfemale 5.48%
male 94.52%
Age - 44American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 44Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Automation & controls engineer career paths
Key steps to become an automation & controls engineer
Explore automation & controls engineer education requirements
Start to develop specific automation & controls engineer skills
Skills Percentages PLC 11.49% HMI 11.46% Troubleshoot 7.08% Allen-Bradley 5.80% Autocad 4.85% Complete relevant automation & controls engineer training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New automation & controls engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an automation & controls engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real automation & controls engineer resumes.Research automation & controls engineer duties and responsibilities
- Manage all aspects of Marketo campaign strategy and implementation.
- Establish communication links and prepare machines for bench-testing to attain UL certification.
- Create HTML emails for use within Salesforce.
- Implement capitol project to include data capturing software for machine efficiency (SCADA) using PLC logic and Ethernet communications.
Prepare your automation & controls engineer resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your automation & controls engineer resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an automation & controls engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable automation & controls engineer resume templates
Build a professional automation & controls engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your automation & controls engineer resume.
Apply for automation & controls engineer jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an automation & controls engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first automation & controls engineer job
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Average automation & controls engineer salary
The average automation & controls engineer salary in the United States is $89,542 per year or $43 per hour. Automation & controls engineer salaries range between $68,000 and $116,000 per year.
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Updated January 8, 2025
