What does a manufacturing controls engineer do?
A manufacturing controls engineer ensures the manufacturing process of a plant is run efficiently and complies with all safety standards. Their role is to develop equipment to monitor and control efficiency of engineering systems and machinery, implement processes that will help manufacturers increase productivity, conduct research, test and analyze designs, and monitor the strategies implemented to ensure functionality. This position requires an engineering degree.
Manufacturing controls engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real manufacturing controls engineer resumes:
- Lead ERP implementations, cost conversions and system upgrades.
- Lead systems integration for existing equipment involving PLC code, HMI development and motion control system modifications.
- Manage all aspects of weekly payroll processing and internal allocations.
- Lead several independent, cross-functional projects and improve manufacturing quality, reduce cost, ensure environment are supported and FDA compliant.
- Perform troubleshooting and programming on high speed digital vision inspection systems, robotic machinery, and PLC I/O control systems.
- Certify in OSHA rules and regulations.
- Perform Fanuc robot programming as issues arise.
- Prepare audit work-papers for outside CPA's.
- Engineer complete plant relocation and start-up to Indiana.
- Train all personnel in OSHA safety and maintain documentation files.
- Provide installation support, start-up assistance, and customer training.
- Develop and maintain standards for processes and systems utilizing SPC.
- Create ASP.Net web pages for data entry and retrieval to/from SQL databases.
- Create CNC programs for mostly large excavating parts, and assembly and checking fixtures.
- Perform monthly audits of various projects controlling reports ensuring GAAP principles are being practice.
Manufacturing controls engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Manufacturing Controls Engineers are proficient in PLC, CNC, and Lean Manufacturing. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Manufacturing Controls Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- PLC, 9%
Performed troubleshooting and programming on high speed digital vision inspection systems, robotic machinery, and PLC I/O control systems.
- CNC, 8%
Program CNC machines to exact tooling blueprints specifications utilizing Master Cam / Feature Cam software.
- Lean Manufacturing, 7%
Implement manufacturing processes to new and current products by applying continuous improvement, lean manufacturing by applying industry standards.
- HMI, 6%
Used Factory Talk View to modify existing HMI's.
- Control Systems, 5%
Managed, engineered, designed, troubleshooted and maintained electrical control systems for a manufacturing environment.
- FANUC, 5%
Learned to program Robots in a spraying application (Fanuc & ABB).
"plc," "cnc," and "lean manufacturing" are among the most common skills that manufacturing controls engineers use at work. You can find even more manufacturing controls engineer responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a manufacturing controls engineer to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "industrial engineers use creativity and ingenuity to design new production processes in many kinds of settings in order to reduce the use of material resources, time, or labor while accomplishing the same goal." Manufacturing controls engineers often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "balance sheet, bank, a/p, a/r, inventory, wip reconciliations. "
Listening skills. Many manufacturing controls engineer duties rely on listening skills. "these engineers often operate in teams, but they also must solicit feedback from customers, vendors, and production staff," so a manufacturing controls engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways manufacturing controls engineer responsibilities rely on listening skills: "communicated quality and manufacturing issues with contract manufacturers and product engineers to maintain continuing product lines. "
Math skills. This is an important skill for manufacturing controls engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how manufacturing controls engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "industrial engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a manufacturing controls engineer: "calculate project statistics for decision making by extracting information from erp (sap) system. ".
Problem-solving skills. For certain manufacturing controls engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a manufacturing controls engineer rely on this skill, as "in designing facilities for manufacturing and processes for providing services, these engineers deal with several issues at once, from workers’ safety to quality assurance." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what manufacturing controls engineers do: "developed and implemented continuous electrical equipment solutions to facilitate lean manufacturing improvements. "
Speaking skills. Another crucial skill for a manufacturing controls engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "speaking skills." A big part of what manufacturing controls engineers relies on this skill, since "industrial engineers sometimes have to explain their instructions to production staff or technicians before they can make written instructions available." How this skill relates to manufacturing controls engineer duties can be seen in an example from a manufacturing controls engineer resume snippet: "prepared capital budgets for hvc department and presented cost reduction efforts to senior leadership. "
Writing skills. Lastly, "writing skills" is an important element of what a manufacturing controls engineer does. Manufacturing controls engineer responsibilities require this skill because "industrial engineers must prepare documentation for other engineers or scientists, or for future reference." This resume example highlights how manufacturing controls engineer duties rely on this skill: "supported products by addressing day-to-day manufacturing problems including writing eco's and creating assembly/ test procedures. "
The three companies that hire the most manufacturing controls engineers are:
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Compare different manufacturing controls engineers
Manufacturing controls engineer vs. Supplier quality engineer
A Supplier Quality Engineer ensures that the supplier's quality standards are in accordance with the requirement of the organization. They also report supplier performance and quality to management.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a manufacturing controls engineer are more likely to require skills like "plc," "cnc," "hmi," and "control systems." On the other hand, a job as a supplier quality engineer requires skills like "ppap," "spc," "apqp," and "gd." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Supplier quality engineers really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $87,103. Comparatively, manufacturing controls engineers tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $103,326.supplier quality engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than manufacturing controls engineers. In fact, supplier quality engineers are 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Manufacturing controls engineer vs. Senior quality engineer
A Senior Quality Engineer ensures that a company's goods meet the quality standards required. They may work in various industries, such as the automobile, textile, clothing, food, and electronics industries.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that manufacturing controls engineer responsibilities requires skills like "plc," "cnc," "hmi," and "control systems." But a senior quality engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "corrective action," "quality system," "quality standards," and "quality issues."
Senior quality engineers earn a higher average salary than manufacturing controls engineers. But senior quality engineers earn the highest pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $100,740. Additionally, manufacturing controls engineers earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $103,326 annually.senior quality engineers earn similar levels of education than manufacturing controls engineers in general. They're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for manufacturing controls engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Jerry Leth
VP/General Manager, MANA
Manufacturing controls engineer vs. Engineer
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, manufacturing controls engineers are more likely to have skills like "lean manufacturing," "hmi," "fanuc," and "product quality." But a engineer is more likely to have skills like "python," "cloud," "c++," and "c #."
Engineers earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $97,672. Manufacturing controls engineers earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $103,326.engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to manufacturing controls engineers. Specifically, they're 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Manufacturing controls engineer vs. Process engineer internship
A process engineering intern performs various tasks for an organization. These include collaborating with the technical team on cost savings, process efficiency improvements, and technology advancement, attending meetings with leadership teams, and participating in customer trials. Additionally, they may assist with the leadership or management teams in creating standard operating procedures. They are responsible for coordinating with engineers and work on projects assigned by the leadership. Ideal candidates for this role must have a degree in mechanical or industrial engineering, excellent communication skills, and knowledge and experience in process observation.
Types of manufacturing controls engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
