What does a process control technician do?
Process control technicians require strong skills in PLC, process control systems, troubleshooting, calibration, and a desire for continuous improvement in addition to other skills. Those who choose this career path will be called to work with automated process control systems and assist in designing, creating, testing, and implementing process control panels.
Process control technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real process control technician resumes:
- Spearhead inspection and packaging equipment for pharmaceutical products per FDA regulations to achieve production goals ahead of schedule.
- Help develop standard operating procedure and perform safety reviews to meet OSHA standards.
- Create safety programs and lead the site in safety training in compliance with OSHA CFR29 regulations.
- Direct activities to ensure that workmanship and testing conform to ISO and QS9001 specifications per customer requirements.
- Maintain appropriate PLC and computer software/hardware information.
- Full knowledge and understanding of an organize ISO manufacturing environment.
- Perform HPLC analysis as well as a number of other chemical analyses in a corporate laboratory environment.
- Perform tests on RF and digital electronic assemblies and systems to characterize performance, uncover specification deficiencies and repair damage circuitry.
- Perform tests on RF and digital electronic assemblies and systems to characterize performance, uncover specification deficiencies and repair damage circuitry.
Process control technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Process Control Technicians are proficient in PLC, Control Systems, and Logic Controllers. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Process Control Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- PLC, 15%
Program, install, test and maintain Automation control hardware of ABB DCS and Allen Bradley PLC Systems.
- Control Systems, 6%
Installed new instrumentation and control systems on new machinery installations in the plant using various controls, sensors, and systems.
- Logic Controllers, 4%
Diagnosed and repaired electronic control panels, programmed logic controllers, censoring systems.
- Continuous Improvement, 4%
Participated and contributed to continuous improvement and problem solving activities.
- HMI, 4%
Developed HMI graphics, consolidating large amounts of information into intuitive displays.
- Data Entry, 3%
Performed database management including data entry, correction and retrieval of documentation for Ship Changes.
Common skills that a process control technician uses to do their job include "plc," "control systems," and "logic controllers." You can find details on the most important process control technician responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a process control technician to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what process control technicians do because "industrial engineering technologists and technicians assess changes in conditions, operations, and the environment to help industrial engineers figure out how systems should work." Additionally, a process control technician resume shows how process control technicians use analytical skills: "operate / set fiberglass sheet machines, verify sheet weight, glass content ration, specification limits and data entry. "
Communication skills. Many process control technician duties rely on communication skills. "industrial engineering technologists and technicians must listen carefully to instructions from engineers and must clearly articulate problems to their supervisors.," so a process control technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways process control technician responsibilities rely on communication skills: "work responsibilities ensure the integrity of control room operations, unit process operations, data communications and industrial computers used therein. "
Detail oriented. process control technicians are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to process control technician responsibilities, because "industrial engineering technologists and technicians must record precisely what they measure and observe." A process control technician resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "detail oriented and good communication skills with other process techs on other shifts. "
Observational skills. process control technician responsibilities often require "observational skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "industrial engineering technologists and technicians closely watch the performance of people or organizations so that they can suggest improvements." This resume example shows what process control technicians do with observational skills on a typical day: "recorded valuable test data and pointed out deviations that resulted from equipment malfunctions, or observational errors. "
Math skills. Another common skill required for process control technician responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of process control technicians all the time, as "industrial engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics and statistical techniques to analyze data collected from studies." An excerpt from a real process control technician resume shows how this skill is central to what a process control technician does: "utilized basic mathematical skills to figure heights and measurements. "
The three companies that hire the most process control technicians are:
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Process control technician vs. Engineering assistant
An engineering assistant is responsible for supporting the engineering department's operations under the supervision of a head engineer. Engineering assistants help with operating tools and equipment, developing and analyzing designs, communicating with clients by responding to their inquiries and concerns, creating project plans, and identifying business opportunities to generate revenues and increase profitability. An engineering assistant must have excellent knowledge of the engineering disciplines and processes to carry out tasks within strict deadlines and under minimal supervision.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between process control technicians and engineering assistant. For instance, process control technician responsibilities require skills such as "control systems," "logic controllers," "continuous improvement," and "hmi." Whereas a engineering assistant is skilled in "troubleshoot," "c++," "html css," and "worksheets." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Engineering assistants earn the highest salaries when working in the energy industry, with an average yearly salary of $79,013. On the other hand, process control technicians are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $59,841.The education levels that engineering assistants earn slightly differ from process control technicians. In particular, engineering assistants are 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a process control technician. Additionally, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Process control technician vs. Validation technologist
A validation technologist works with a process chief and applies validation methods to complete tasks and carry out installations. They perform operational protocol duties and do reviews daily. They also analyze the validation test data to make sure it meets the necessary criteria for validation. They may have to generate and conduct all the phases in the validation process. These include IQs, OQ's and PQ's.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that process control technician responsibilities requires skills like "plc," "control systems," "logic controllers," and "continuous improvement." But a validation technologist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "troubleshoot," "python," "data collection," and "linux."
Validation technologists may earn a lower salary than process control technicians, but validation technologists earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $54,319. On the other hand, process control technicians receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $59,841.validation technologists earn similar levels of education than process control technicians in general. They're 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Process control technician vs. Manufacturing engineering technician
A manufacturing engineering technician is responsible for supporting the manufacturing processes of industrial operations by providing technical assistance on the design development procedures. Manufacturing engineering technicians inspect the efficiency and consistency of plans and perform multiple diagnostic tests to ensure that the product performs to its highest condition. They also recommend cost-reduction techniques while providing high-quality outputs and deliverables. A manufacturing engineering technician must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially on troubleshooting equipment and writing progress reports for reference.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from process control technician resumes include skills like "control systems," "logic controllers," "hmi," and "data entry," whereas a manufacturing engineering technician is more likely to list skills in "troubleshoot," "laser," "lean manufacturing," and "preventative maintenance. "
Manufacturing engineering technicians make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $61,607. On the other hand, process control technicians are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $59,841.When it comes to education, manufacturing engineering technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to process control technicians. In fact, they're 2.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Process control technician vs. Quality technician engineer
Quality specialists are quality assurance professionals who make sure that the organization's standards are constantly maintained in their products. They are employed in various industries, like technology and manufacturing. Their duties include planning quality standards, directing audits, providing recommendations to management on improving operations, as well as evaluating employee performance. It is their responsibility to ensure the current product quality specifications meet the client's requirements. Additionally, they identify product defects, conduct product tests and assessments, together with recording and reporting the issues.
Types of process control technician
Updated January 8, 2025











