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Process control engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.,
Jerry Gintz CMfgE
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical process control engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for process control engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 9.5% of process control engineer resumes contained plc as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a process control engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 process control engineer skills for your resume and career

1. PLC

Here's how process control engineers use plc:
  • Designed PLC based process control systems for hazardous locations waste gas destruction thermal oxidizers used in natural gas processing facilities.
  • Developed and implement configuration management environment using Allen Bradley ControlLogix programmable logic controllers (PLC) and associated networks.

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 process control engineers use hmi:
  • Developed HMI graphics, consolidating large amounts of information into intuitive displays.
  • Developed Anheuser-Busch's first DOS OS based HMI system using FactoryLink 3 in Tampa, FL, and Columbus, OH.

3. Control Systems

Here's how process control engineers use control systems:
  • Specified, designed and implemented distributed process control systems for compounding and pellet extrusion, powder handling, and hydrogen/chlorine production.
  • Deployed plasma process characterization and new analysis techniques that resulted in sensors for fault detection, classification and equipment control systems.

4. 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 process control engineers use troubleshoot:
  • Conducted investigations and analyses to support engineering and to troubleshoot customer issues.
  • Collaborated with Maintenance to troubleshoot any on-line equipment issues.

5. 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 process control engineers use allen-bradley:
  • Program various equipment including VFD's (Allen-Bradley, Schneider, Siemens, etc.).
  • Programmed Allen-Bradley PLC-5's for new packaging can lines for Starkist Tuna.

6. DCS

A DSC, Distributed Control System, is a specially computerized design control system that autonomously coordinates several subsystems located around the entire manufacturing plant or industrial process through a high-speed communication network where top-down coordination and control are utmost for efficiency.

Here's how process control engineers use dcs:
  • Specified, designed, and developed integrated safety shutdown system & operator interface and successfully performed DCS factory acceptance tests.
  • Experienced with continuous emissions monitoring systems and Bailey DCS interface through RS485 communication.

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7. Project Management

Here's how process control engineers use project management:
  • Design, project management and development RFID based crane-positioning system to allow automated data acquisition and reducing errors.
  • Design and project management of automated anode rod alignment marking system to improve accuracy of setting procedure.

8. Control Strategies

Here's how process control engineers use control strategies:
  • Standardized controls development techniques to effectively communicate control strategies, saving two thirds the time previously taken for similar projects.
  • Interfaced with Design Engineering to review new process control strategies and instrumentation evaluation and selection.

9. 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 process control engineers use continuous improvement:
  • Communicate and maintain relations with customers to ensure quality controls are effective and update on Continuous Improvement activities.
  • Implement and refine manufacturing processes by applying Continuous Improvement in Lean Manufacturing principles to all areas of production.

10. SCADA

Here's how process control engineers use scada:
  • Designed and implemented FactoryLink SCADA system used for data acquisition and alarming of plant-wide utility system.
  • Designed and implemented the initial Process Control Network (PCN) at Shell WTC Chemical site for the Honeywell SCADA system.

11. Capital Projects

A capital project is a long-term project carried out by professional teams to build, improve, maintain or develop a huge project that will help improve the asset of a city. This project involves a significant and constant flow of investments. A capital project can be new construction, the purchase of land or property, leasing a property, the renovation of an existing building, or the purchase of new equipment.

Here's how process control engineers use capital projects:
  • Provide weekly/monthly reports on specific operating results and suggest methods for improvement via procedural change or initiation of capital projects.
  • Project lead on several capital projects including machine upgrades, building modifications and safety improvement.

12. Technical Support

Technical support or tech support are the services provided by any hardware or software company to users. They help in solving the technical difficulties the customers face with their products or services. Moreover, the tech support employees maintain, manage, and repair the IT faults. They are also responsible for resolving the network problems, installing and configuring hardware and software.

Here's how process control engineers use technical support:
  • Established a technical support dialog to production personnel upon introduction of new processes.
  • Provided technical support on production hardware and software systems and applications.

13. Process Engineering

Process engineering is the agreement and use of the essential standards and laws of nature that permit us to change crude material and energy into items that are valuable to society, at a mechanical level.

Here's how process control engineers use process engineering:
  • Experienced in major shutdown requiring direct application of process engineering background, instrumentation knowledge, and control development.
  • Led project installations and provided process engineering support while ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards.

14. DeltaV

Here's how process control engineers use deltav:
  • Developed work programs for maintenance technicians to utilize DeltaV AMS to assist in field troubleshooting.
  • Design and execution of Excel based tools for DeltaV database configuration.

15. Process Improvement

Here's how process control engineers use process improvement:
  • Direct involvement with operations on key process improvements, strategic planning, and training of new regulatory and advanced control improvements.
  • Formed and managed process improvement group, identified problems, developed process improvement plan, implemented plan and controlled system changes
top-skills

What skills help Process Control Engineers find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on process control engineer resumes?

Dr. Maria Benavides Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Chemistry Program Coordinator, Assistant Chair, University of Houston - Downtown

Apart from a good foundation in the chemistry discipline, skills that will stand out on resumes include: experience in various analytical techniques, excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing, ability to work collaboratively (team player), and the ability to think critically to find solutions to problems (problem solving). Another valuable skill nowadays would be to be competent in the use of technology for communication purposes (Zoom, etc.).

What process control engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Jerry Gintz CMfgE

Teaching Professor, Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus

From a manufacturing engineering perspective, the most important skills an engineer will need is the ability to understand, design, assemble, and deploy production capable systems. This includes an expertise with computer-aided engineering tools to assist in the design and verification of engineered systems before a company expends capital on the equipment.

What soft skills should all process control engineers possess?

William Cross Ph.D.William Cross Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

The soft skills that all graduates should possess are primarily in communication - speaking/writing clearly, and listening/reading comprehension - and in teamwork skills. Being able to function in a variety of roles on a team is very important to success in many jobs.

List of process control engineer skills to add to your resume

Process control engineer skills

The most important skills for a process control engineer resume and required skills for a process control engineer to have include:

  • PLC
  • HMI
  • Control Systems
  • Troubleshoot
  • Allen-Bradley
  • DCS
  • Project Management
  • Control Strategies
  • Continuous Improvement
  • SCADA
  • Capital Projects
  • Technical Support
  • Process Engineering
  • DeltaV
  • Process Improvement
  • P Id
  • Wonderware
  • Autocad
  • Ladder Logic
  • Sigma
  • Windows
  • APC
  • I/O
  • Process Equipment
  • Production Process
  • SIS
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Plant Operations
  • IDS
  • SQL
  • OSHA
  • Product Quality
  • Allen-Bradley Plc
  • CNC
  • Data Collection
  • Logix
  • Ethernet
  • Corrective Action
  • Control Loops
  • PID
  • Control Logic
  • AC
  • Statistical Process Control
  • Industrial Control Systems
  • Honeywell TDC
  • Process Data
  • Control Valves
  • Delta

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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