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Automation & controls engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

M. Stephen Enders Ph.D.,

Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical automation & controls engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for automation & controls engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.5% of automation & controls engineer resumes contained plc as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an automation & controls engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 automation & controls engineer skills for your resume and career

1. PLC

Here's how automation & controls engineers use plc:

Generated new PLC programs using TIA (Total Integrated Automation) SIMATIC's Manager, WinCC, C/C++ software.
Experienced in Allen-Bradley PLC: ContrlLogix, CompactLogix, SLC-503-505, PLC-5, MicroLogix 1000/1100/1200/1500 and DirectLogic-06 PLC.

2. HMI

A human-machine interface is a dashboard or user interface that connects an operator to a device, system, or machine.

Here's how automation & controls engineers use hmi:

Red Lion and Siemens HMI customization for various automotive and industrial components.
Created and tested HMI graphics for Flint Hills (Koch refinery).

3. Troubleshoot

Troubleshooting is the process of analyzing and fixing any kind of problem in a system or a machine. Troubleshooting is the detailed yet quick search in the system for the main source of an issue and solving it.

Here's how automation & controls engineers use troubleshoot:

Upgrade and troubleshoot existing pipeline station and substations electrical and control systems, including Safety Systems.
Provided extensive field support to troubleshoot communication & system integration issues.

4. Allen-Bradley

Allen Bradley is a US-owned company that specializes in the production and operation of factory automation equipment. They deal with programmable controllers both for automation and logical applications for various factory operation needs.

Here's how automation & controls engineers use allen-bradley:

Redesigned a high pressure hydraulic hydro forming machine with Delta Computer Hydraulic servo control on an Allen-Bradley CompactLogix controlled system.
Design and documentation of integration with Allen-Bradley CNC controls and Digital PDP/11 computer systems.

5. Autocad

Here's how automation & controls engineers use autocad:

Created project drawings using AutoCad including Electrical schematics and panel layouts.
Produce As-Build AutoCAD electrical and mechanical drawings.

6. Hmi Programming

Here's how automation & controls engineers use hmi programming:

Project Management, Estimating, Purchasing, Panel Design, PLC & HMI Programming & Networking, Commissioning & Start Up.
Produce PLC and HMI programming policies and code for design, service, support, installation and commissioning.

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7. CAD

Here's how automation & controls engineers use cad:

Designed electrical control system on Auto CAD for robotic cake baking and decoration line.
Provided control panel layouts and schematics with CAD.

8. Project Management

Here's how automation & controls engineers use project management:

Provided project management leadership for approved projects.
Executed all controls work in facility, including project management for equipment installations, and upgrades.

9. Process Control

Process control is a method pertaining to continuous production processes that uses the aid of ICS (Industrial Control Systems) for production. This method enables production to be done with a level of consistency and safety in an economically friendly manner that is impossible to achieve solely through manual control.

Here's how automation & controls engineers use process control:

Machine Vision integration and process control using Cognex, Dalsa, Banner and Keyence camera systems.
Engineered, designed, and implemented process controls for automation and safety shutdown systems in a world class petrochemical production facility.

10. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of improvement of products, services, and processes with the help of innovative ideas. It is an organized approach that helps an organization to find its weaknesses and improve them.

Here's how automation & controls engineers use continuous improvement:

Led continuous improvement projects aimed at reducing waste, increasing productivity and strengthening compliance.
Participated in continuous improvement efforts implementing DMAIC, 5S and Visual Factory Management processes.

11. FANUC

Here's how automation & controls engineers use fanuc:

Set up and installation of 12 brand new Fanuc Robots for TESLA Motors Plant in FREMONT, CA.
Experience in programming FANUC and DENSO (scara and 6 axis) robots with integration to controls.

12. Industrial Automation

Here's how automation & controls engineers use industrial automation:

Create efficient Hardware and Software Designs for Industrial Automation and Machine Control.
Started integration and design company doing industrial automation hardware and software designs.

13. MES

Here's how automation & controls engineers use mes:

Key Results: Primary customer representative for design and implementation of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) data warehouse.

14. FactoryTalk

Here's how automation & controls engineers use factorytalk:

Developed and supported HMI using FactoryTalk VisualStudio, Parker Factory Display Manager, Interact Express, and CTC Machine Shop Studio.
Developed HMI programs with FactoryTalk Me.

15. C++

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that is used to create high-performing applications. It was invented as an extension to the C language. C++ lets the programmer have a high level of domination over memory and system resources. C++ is an object-oriented language that helps you implement real-time issues based on different data functions

Here's how automation & controls engineers use c++:

Developed object-oriented firmware for internally designed hardware using object-oriented C++ (modeled using UML).
Developed AutoPilot device firmware in C and C++ to precisely guide industrial agriculture equipment.

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What skills help Automation & Controls Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on automation & controls engineer resumes?

M. Stephen Enders Ph.D.

Professor & Department Head, Colorado School of Mines

The most important thing that stands out in resumes is past job experiences, particularly student internships in relevant companies. This demonstrates a student's ability to work safely and effectively in the workplace. The companies that employ our students expect them to have a fundamental proficiency in the basic sciences and mathematics as well as in the principles of engineering. Although this is necessary, it is not sufficient for most companies. They prefer graduates with demonstrated strong interpersonal, communication, teamwork, problem solving and critical thinking skills. They also want to see evidence that graduates can integrate and analyze multidisciplinary datasets, and they would really like to see computer coding and modeling expertise. On top of all of these attributes, companies also want to hire leaders and those who have a fundamental understanding or societal issues that impact their industry. This is a lot to expect. Students can get some of this from coursework and active participation in student clubs and other organizations.

Additionally: Presentation skills - written and oral. Management skills - CSM mining engineers have 3 to 4 courses focusing on management (mine operations, safety, construction and project mgt.), plus opportunities to work as crew fore(wo)men at the Edgar mine, where they get to lead small teams of junior classmates and assume responsibility for safety and job completion.

What soft skills should all automation & controls engineers possess?

Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer

Professor and Chair, Xavier University

Communication, teamwork.

What hard/technical skills are most important for automation & controls engineers?

Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer

Professor and Chair, Xavier University

Depends on the engineering career, but in general, an ability to know how to use design software, measurement/testing, and analysis equipment, in addition to prototyping and fabrication tools

What automation & controls engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Edmund Spencer

Associate Professor, University of South Alabama

Look for jobs that have the highest technical content, and try to develop entrepreneurial skills early.

What type of skills will young automation & controls engineers need?

John Ring

Director Engineering Outreach, Elon University

While our universities consistently educate engineering students with hard skills and strong engineering fundamentals, tomorrow's engineers need to be strong communicators, collaborators, and critical thinkers. Our professional environments are filled with data and information, and the constraint is typically how much time individuals can dedicate to solving a problem. At Elon University, we educate tomorrow's engineers to have the hard skills necessary to analyze the information and situations, apply critical thinking techniques to determine ways to solve the issue, and then concisely and efficiently communicate with colleagues as solutions are being set in motion.

Do you want to know more?

List of automation & controls engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an automation & controls engineer resume and required skills for an automation & controls engineer to have include:

PLC
HMI
Troubleshoot
Allen-Bradley
Autocad
Hmi Programming
CAD
Project Management
Process Control
Continuous Improvement
FANUC
Industrial Automation
MES
FactoryTalk
C++

Ethernet
Allen-Bradley Plc
Vision Systems
Wonderware
Automation Projects
Modicon
Technical Support
Logix
Machine Interface
PID
NEC
VFD
Modbus
Automation Equipment
Ac

Dc
System Design
Lean Manufacturing
DeltaV
IEC
Control Panels
NFPA
Panel Layouts
Switches
Debug
HVAC
DeviceNet
SLC
Rockwell

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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