What does a controls designer do?
Controls designers both design and draft systems of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical controls for equipment and machines. The designers make diagrams of the logic system for timing and sequence control. They illustrate and describe details for installation and maintenance, such as bearing lubrication and lubrication types. It is part of their job to review schematics with the representatives of customers to answer questions during robot system installation. Also, they may design energy conversion controls.
Controls designer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real controls designer resumes:
- Establish communication links and prepare machines for bench-testing to attain UL certification.
- Engineer, draft, modify PLC programs and HMI programs, create schematics, test software with customer to their satisfaction.
- Create the simulation with SolidWorks.
- Create and deploy disk images for latest SolidWorks releases as needed.
- Develop applications for HVAC, semiconductor, industrial coatings, medical, and renewable and sustainable industries.
- Lead designer assign to smaller projects at various plants dealing with instrumentation, PLS and DCS upgrades / modifications.
- Design and commission a plant-wide system to control extrusion and processing of foam material using network PLC's and MMI's.
- Initiate and oversee development from initial concept sketch to final production, working closely with Chinese engineering and manufacturing vendors.
- Provide design review and improvements in interpreting and compliance with ANSI and company requirements.
- Create markup drawings and sketch drawings.
- Resolve as-built installation discrepancies of existing shipboard systems to ensure design integrity are maintained/ exceed.
Controls designer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Controls Designers are proficient in PLC, Control Panels, and IDS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Initiative, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Controls Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- PLC, 12%
Designed and commissioned a plant-wide system to control extrusion and processing of foam material using networked PLC's and MMI's.
- Control Panels, 6%
Design of loop drawings, installation details, location plans, cable schedule, wiring diagrams, and control panel layout.
- IDS, 6%
Developed loop drawings from P & IDs and wiring diagrams.
- Auto CAD, 6%
Designed Hydraulic Cylinders for Manufacturing Worked with Auto CAD in design application.
- I/O, 5%
Control & design (and check-out), I/O assignment, Electrical details, Graphic design.
- UL, 4%
Established communication links and prepared machines for bench-testing to attain UL certification.
"plc," "control panels," and "ids" are among the most common skills that controls designers use at work. You can find even more controls designer responsibilities below, including:
Concentration. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a controls designer to have is concentration. Their role and responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers design and develop complex electrical systems and electronic components and products." Controls designers often use concentration in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "design, programming and installation of process control equipment for variety of customers with special concentration in the plastic compounding industry. "
Initiative. Another essential skill to perform controls designer duties is initiative. Controls designers responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." Controls designers also use initiative in their role according to a real resume snippet: "lead variability reduction and lean manufacturing initiatives and best practices ensure compliance to plant, corporate"
Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of controls designers is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday controls designer duties, as "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "design processes for casting design requires use of surfacing, merge, solidify, and published geometry and external copied geometry. "
Speaking skills. For certain controls designer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "speaking skills." The day-to-day duties of a controls designer rely on this skill, as "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what controls designers do: "presented an economic analysis along with its progress reports and work schedules to comply with project management requirements. "
Writing skills. Another crucial skill for a controls designer to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what controls designers relies on this skill, since "electrical and electronics engineers develop technical publications related to equipment they develop, including maintenance manuals, operation manuals, parts lists, product proposals, and design methods documents." How this skill relates to controls designer duties can be seen in an example from a controls designer resume snippet: "developed my skills in iconography, typography, and copywriting. "
The three companies that hire the most controls designers are:
- Bank of America15 controls designers jobs
- Burns & McDonnell5 controls designers jobs
- RoadSafe Traffic Systems5 controls designers jobs
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Compare different controls designers
Controls designer vs. Engineering trainee
An engineering trainee is responsible for shadowing engineers in their duties and performing administrative tasks as needed. Engineering trainees assist the engineers in inspecting construction sites and conducting field research. They also identify cost-efficient materials and resources that meet quality standards and client specifications. An engineering trainee must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports, attending meetings, and ensuring that all reports are submitted for management's reviews, such as contracts from suppliers and vendors.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between controls designers and engineering trainee. For instance, controls designer responsibilities require skills such as "control panels," "ids," "i/o," and "p id." Whereas a engineering trainee is skilled in "excellent interpersonal," "fire protection," "technical support," and "boilers." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Engineering trainees really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $63,253. Comparatively, controls designers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $88,405.engineering trainees tend to reach higher levels of education than controls designers. In fact, engineering trainees are 5.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Controls designer vs. Telecommunication engineer
A telecommunication engineer is responsible for installing, testing, and repairing telecommunication systems including mobile telephone networks and fiber optic and digital satellite systems. Your day-to-day duties include diagnosing and troubleshooting systems faults, installing static and mobile antennae on masts and buildings, and designing, developing, and testing telecommunications equipment and components. As a telecommunication engineer, you are also required to provide guidance and support to telecommunication installers to ensure quality. You are also responsible for providing recommendations to upgrade outdated equipment.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real controls designer resumes. While controls designer responsibilities can utilize skills like "plc," "control panels," "ids," and "auto cad," telecommunication engineers use skills like "telecommunication," "voip," "rf," and "switches."
On average, telecommunication engineers earn a lower salary than controls designers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, telecommunication engineers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $102,087. Whereas controls designers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $88,405.telecommunication engineers earn similar levels of education than controls designers in general. They're 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Controls designer vs. Radio frequency engineer
A radio frequency engineer, also known as RF engineer, specializes in designing and developing communication systems using radio waves. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around creating networks and systems and testing equipment. They make sure that equipment is up to high standards by traveling to different areas as needed, troubleshooting issues to identify the root of problems and performing corrective measures required. Furthermore, a radio frequency engineer must continuously optimize equipment quality and ensure efficiency while adhering to the laws and regulations.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a controls designer is likely to be skilled in "plc," "control panels," "ids," and "auto cad," while a typical radio frequency engineer is skilled in "test equipment," "antenna," "system performance," and "troubleshoot."
Radio frequency engineers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $94,522. On the other hand, controls designers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $88,405.radio frequency engineers typically earn higher educational levels compared to controls designers. Specifically, they're 10.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Controls designer vs. Special project engineer
A special project engineer is in-charged in the preparation, scheduling, coordination, and monitoring of engineering projects. He/She or she should be able to establish good relationships with prospective clients to gain information on engineering requirements and delegate tasks to staff. The core skills that a special project engineer should possess include good creative ability and excellent mechanical and listening skills. Other requirements to qualify for the position include a college degree in business or mechanical engineering.
Types of controls designer
Updated January 8, 2025
