What does a controls technician do?
A controls technician is in charge of operating various systems within a building or facility. Although the responsibilities will vary upon the line of work or employment, the duties still revolve around using software to control types of machinery and systems such as manufacturing devices and equipment, even lighting and ventilation. It is crucial to coordinate with department managers and supervisors to avoid any technical problems and ensure a safe work environment for everyone.
Controls technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real controls technician resumes:
- Supervise and manage several environmental ECAS annual, monthly and weekly reports in cooperation with regional CEMS manager for federal compliance.
- Establish communication links and prepare machines for bench-testing to attain UL certification.
- Work with all electrical components, relays, sensors, ac and dc motors, drivers servo systems and pneumatics systems.
- Perform PLC program creation and modifications and electronic modifications to production equipment.
- Work with voltages ranging from 12 VAC to 600 VAC.
- Conduct all professional activities within the policies of: Sandoz, EPA, OSHA, FDA and NFPA 70E.
- Work with Siemens and Trane systems.
- Work on all building plumbing systems.
- Experience with SCADA remote communications (VMware).
- Supervise and source equipment for the electro-mechanical lab and machine shop.
- Install DC electrical devices for fire alarm and security systems in commercial settings
- Collaborate with the engineering group and AMHS team to minimize equipment downtime.
- Preform device validation and system commissioning on AHU's and VAV's.
- Maintain, repair, calibrate & commission programmable control systems and SCADA devices.
- Support and maintenance on all automotive lighting workstations in the production assembly department.
Controls technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Controls Technicians are proficient in PLC, Control Systems, and Preventative Maintenance. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Detail oriented, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Controls Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- PLC, 8%
Participated as Project Team Leader in the implementation of a Reverse Osmosis water treatment system integrating Allen-Bradley PLC operating system.
- Control Systems, 7%
Tested, calibrated and utilized troubleshooting skills for digital control systems consisting of electronic, mechanical, software and hydraulic components.
- Preventative Maintenance, 7%
Monitor and complete an extensive Preventative Maintenance schedule ensuring any discrepancies are noted and placed on order if replacement is required.
- HVAC, 5%
Programmed Johnson Controls Facility Explorer field controllers to execute HVAC sequences of operation.
- HMI, 5%
Control system programming including PLC, HMI, VFD, Vision product, various sensors and servos optimizing productivity and reliability.
- Hand Tools, 4%
Adjust functional parts of devices and controlled instruments, using hand tools, levels, plumb bobs, straightedges and lasers.
Most controls technicians use their skills in "plc," "control systems," and "preventative maintenance" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential controls technician responsibilities here:
Dexterity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a controls technician to have is dexterity. Their role and responsibilities require that "electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians must be adept in using handtools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to create electronic components." Controls technicians often use dexterity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "utilized voltage meters, benders, ladders, lifts and multiple other hand and power tools. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling controls technician duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians must take and record the precise measurements that engineers need." According to a controls technician resume, here's how controls technicians can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "engineer and design electrical control panel drawings including detailed schematics, panel layouts, and bills of materials. "
Mechanical skills. This is an important skill for controls technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how controls technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians must create components for industrial machinery or equipment." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a controls technician: "edit both mechanical and electrical drawings for control panels. ".
Writing skills. For certain controls technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "writing skills." The day-to-day duties of a controls technician rely on this skill, as "electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians must write clear, well-organized reports that describe onsite construction, testing results, and problems they found in carrying out designs." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what controls technicians do: "assist in writing ladder logic, machine interface software, and machine user and maintenance manuals. "
Math skills. A commonly-found skill in controls technician job descriptions, "math skills" is essential to what controls technicians do. Controls technician responsibilities rely on this skill because "electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians use mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their tasks." You can also see how controls technician duties rely on math skills in this resume example: "mastered problem solving skills as well as math, troubleshooting, mechanical, technical and teamwork skills. "
The three companies that hire the most controls technicians are:
- Deloitte190 controls technicians jobs
- Ashley HomeStore180 controls technicians jobs
- Boeing125 controls technicians jobs
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Compare different controls technicians
Controls technician vs. Unmanned equipment operator
An electrical maintenance technician is primarily in charge of installing and repairing electrical systems. Their responsibilities often revolve around liaising with clients to identify their needs, examining electrical damages or defects on houses or establishments, troubleshooting, and performing fixes and replacements as needed. Aside from providing technical support, an electrical maintenance technician may also train junior technicians and monitor their progress. Furthermore, in a company setting, one must conduct regular maintenance checks on electrical systems to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, controls technician responsibilities require skills like "plc," "control systems," "preventative maintenance," and "hvac." Meanwhile a typical unmanned equipment operator has skills in areas such as "uas," "secret clearance," "aircraft systems," and "emergency situations." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, unmanned equipment operators reach similar levels of education than controls technicians. Unmanned equipment operators are 3.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Controls technician vs. Remotely piloted vehicle engineering technician
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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, controls technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "plc," "preventative maintenance," "hvac," and "hmi." Meanwhile, a remotely piloted vehicle engineering technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "hydraulic systems," "camera systems," "rov," and "fiber optic." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Remotely piloted vehicle engineering technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than controls technicians. In fact, they're 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Controls technician vs. Electrical maintenance technician
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from controls technician resumes include skills like "preventative maintenance," "hvac," "customer service," and "automation systems," whereas an electrical maintenance technician is more likely to list skills in "preventive maintenance," "control circuits," "mechanical systems," and "mechanical equipment. "
Electrical maintenance technicians earn the highest salary when working in the hospitality industry, where they receive an average salary of $61,573. Comparatively, controls technicians have the highest earning potential in the energy industry, with an average salary of $59,464.When it comes to education, electrical maintenance technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to controls technicians. In fact, they're 2.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Controls technician vs. Controls engineer
Types of controls technician
Updated January 8, 2025
