Occupation
Controls engineer
Controls engineers design and program the systems that make machinery and plant run automatically, including PLCs, drives, instrumentation, and operator interfaces. Commissioning is a core part of the job, and it often happens during shutdowns or outside normal hours.
Also known as: Control systems engineer · Automation engineer · PLC engineer
Occupation content
Part of Engineering and technical design
What the work involves
- Design control architectures, input and output schedules, and panel drawings.
- Write and test PLC, drive, and HMI or SCADA logic against the control narrative.
- Calibrate and loop-check instruments and verify interlocks and safety functions.
- Commission machinery or plant on site and tune loops until the process runs stably.
- Diagnose control and automation faults reported by operations and maintenance.
- Maintain program backups, change records, and functional design documentation.
How people commonly enter
- An accredited bachelor's degree in electrical, mechatronics, or control engineering.
- An instrumentation, electrical, or automation technology diploma plus commissioning experience.
- Progression from an instrumentation or electrical technician role into controls design.
- Vendor and platform training in specific PLC, drive, or SCADA systems combined with technical experience.
Typical training: Bachelor's degree
Licensing: Regulated in some jurisdictions — confirm the current requirement with the regulator in your province, state, or country.
Typical work context
Client sites · Team based · Lab or workshop · Involves travel · Shift work · High responsibility
Related interests
Realistic (hands-on) · Investigative (analytical)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Engineering and technical design.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- US BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Architecture and engineering occupations · United States
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- O*NET OnLine — occupation search: control systems engineer · United States
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- Employment and Social Development Canada — National Occupational Classification (NOC) · Canada
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Engineering and technical design in Canada, not a figure for Controls engineer. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Engineering and technical design family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Engineering and technical design: education pathways
Some roles in Engineering and technical design may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Engineering and technical design: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)