What Is a Plc Controls Engineer and How to Become One

As a PLC controls engineer, your primary responsibilities include the setup, programming, testing, and implementation of computer control systems used for production automation and industrial equipment design. Your duties are to implement programs on programmable logic controllers and test whether industrial computers process information and function correctly. You debug issues and troubleshoot problems that have non-standard solutions. In this role, you also assess the functionality of electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic systems and may work in numerous fields, including aviation, robotics, energy production, and manufacturing.

To become a PLC controls engineer, earning a bachelor's degree in engineering is typically required. Additional experience in a variety of systems is also helpful. There are currently five languages for programming a programmable logic controller, including function block diagram, ladder diagram, and structured text, and you should have a strong working knowledge of at least one of these languages. Other qualifications include attention to detail and critical thinking skills. You should be able to develop a program, test the application, and improve upon it. It’s essential to possess excellent written communication skills for writing operator instruction manuals.