What does a controls engineer do?

A Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and supervising electrical control systems, machinery, and equipment. They oversee projects from initial concept to installation and commissioning.
Controls engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real controls engineer resumes:
- Lead team to upgrade new syringe lines to current OSHA and NFPA safety standards.
- Lead a team of 12 programmers to validate a common library of 70 DeltaV modules.
- Promote to manage the advanced process control (APC) program, responsible for the generation of $30MM per year.
- Establish communication links and prepare machines for bench-testing to attain UL certification.
- Design electrical controls using Allen-Bradley PLC for automatic filling of emergency breathing air bottles.
- Complete system design, installation, troubleshooting and technical support of PC and PLC control automated and robotic manufacturing equipment.
- Programme PLC and HMI to include all logic and control requirements to match all mechanical system features and customer specification requirements.
- Front view panel diagrams with BOM's.
- Design & test WonderWare HMI screens for FedEx hubs across the U.S.
- Edit AutoCAD documents to reflect as-built condition.
- Manipulate FANUC robots for troubleshooting and maintenance issues.
- Create a simulation in SIMULINK to model the baseline system.
- Develop new valve 3-D model using Solidworks and create top assemblies.
- Supervise plant wide manufacturing equipment and process engineering - tool design - AutoCad.
- Design PLC/HMI base controls for airfield runway lighting systems at municipal airports and military bases.
Controls engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Controls Engineers are proficient in C++, Troubleshoot, and UL. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Initiative, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Controls Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- C++, 8%
Developed AutoPilot device firmware in C and C++ to precisely guide industrial agriculture equipment.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Commissioned and troubleshoot whole automation system at customers and provide remote assistance for field service personals.
- UL, 5%
Established communication links and prepared machines for bench-testing to attain UL certification.
- Hmi Programming, 4%
Project Management, Estimating, Purchasing, Panel Design, PLC & HMI Programming & Networking, Commissioning & Start Up.
- MATLAB, 4%
Used code generation tools in MATLAB to generate C code to develop communication on Electronic Throttle Control (ETC).
- Simulink, 4%
Conducted experiments for controls design validation on laboratory system using either rapid prototyping environment (SIMULINK) or actual PTMS controller.
Common skills that a controls engineer uses to do their job include "c++," "troubleshoot," and "ul." You can find details on the most important controls engineer responsibilities below.
Concentration. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a controls engineer 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 engineers 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 soft skill that's essential for fulfilling controls engineer duties is initiative. The role rewards competence in this skill because "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." According to a controls engineer resume, here's how controls engineers can utilize initiative in their job responsibilities: "recruited by the leading industry of motorcycles to provide project management over large-scale, top-priority and complex technology initiatives. "
Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of controls engineers is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday controls engineer 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: "developed a neural network in simulink as an alternative to the conventional mathematical model. "
Speaking skills. controls engineer responsibilities often require "speaking skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." This resume example shows what controls engineers do with speaking skills on a typical day: "presented training programs including programmable logic controllers, pneumatic, hydraulic, human machine interface display and electrical/mechanical troubleshooting. "
Writing skills. A commonly-found skill in controls engineer job descriptions, "writing skills" is essential to what controls engineers do. Controls engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "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." You can also see how controls engineer duties rely on writing skills in this resume example: "project management- writing proposals for different projects"
The three companies that hire the most controls engineers are:
- Federal66 controls engineers jobs
- AVANGRID62 controls engineers jobs
- Ingevity60 controls engineers jobs
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Controls engineer vs. Electrical designer
An electrical designer designs and develops electrical circuit and system layouts for electric power distribution. The responsibilities of an electrical designer include assembling electrical panels and leading a team of document control personnel in-charged to identify and organize facility maintenance drawings. The position requires good initiative, writing, speaking, and mathematical skills to accomplish such responsibilities. The job's education requirements include possessing a college degree in electrical engineering, design, or a related field.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between controls engineers and electrical designer. For instance, controls engineer responsibilities require skills such as "c++," "troubleshoot," "matlab," and "simulink." Whereas a electrical designer is skilled in "revit," "engineering drawings," "engineering design," and "electrical equipment." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Electrical designers really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $72,768. Comparatively, controls engineers tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $94,308.On average, electrical designers reach lower levels of education than controls engineers. Electrical designers are 8.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Controls engineer 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 some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that controls engineer responsibilities requires skills like "troubleshoot," "ul," "hmi programming," and "project management." But an engineering trainee might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "excellent interpersonal," "fire protection," "r," and "boilers."
Engineering trainees earn a lower average salary than controls engineers. But engineering trainees earn the highest pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $63,253. Additionally, controls engineers earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $94,308 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Engineering trainees tend to reach similar levels of education than controls engineers. In fact, they're 2.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Controls engineer 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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, controls engineers are more likely to have skills like "c++," "troubleshoot," "ul," and "hmi programming." But a telecommunication engineer is more likely to have skills like "telecommunication," "voip," "rf," and "fiber optic."
Telecommunication engineers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $102,087. Comparatively, controls engineers have the highest earning potential in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $94,308.When it comes to education, telecommunication engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to controls engineers. In fact, they're 0.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Controls engineer vs. Staff design engineer
Staff design engineers are tasked to assess the efficiency of instruments, technologies, and equipment by collaborating with the engineering team to plan, design, and develop technologies efficiently. Their responsibilities include building and setting up, as wells as improving systems and procedures. They should possess strong attention to detail, good visual and spatial awareness, creativity, problem-solving, excellent verbal, written, and project management skills, and strong mathematical and IT skills to become efficient and effective staff design engineers.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between controls engineers and staff design engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a controls engineer might have more use for skills like "troubleshoot," "ul," "hmi programming," and "matlab." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of staff design engineers require skills like "architecture," "rf," "synthesis," and "analog. "
The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for staff design engineers, with average annual pay of $127,511. Comparatively, the highest controls engineer annual salary comes from the automotive industry.The average resume of staff design engineers showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to controls engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 6.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 3.2%.Types of controls engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











