Control engineers are experts in optimizing processes, equipment, or tools by configuring smart controls to simplify actions and improve productivity. Think about the cruise control driving option in a vehicle or the dishwasher that works with the touch of one or two buttons. A controls engineer was behind those innovations and is responsible for creating many more.
This type of work is referred to as control system engineering. The control engineering discipline actively combines theory, design, and systems development. It requires experience with, and knowledge of, mechanical and electrical engineering, automation, and the latest information technologies. Today, control engineers typically focus on developing or maintaining two types of controls: binary and digital controls.
In this career, controls engineers use their analytical capabilities to troubleshoot issues, examine processes, maintain equipment controls, and find creative solutions to system inefficiencies. Innovative problem-solvers by nature, control engineers must frequently conduct research, experiment, and investigate new systems controls or improvements to achieve smooth operations. They regularly work alongside project control engineers or process control engineers to streamline processes within a project, as planned and on schedule. Control engineers may also be required to teach other engineers and technicians how to use and maintain the system controls.
Popular industries for control engineers include manufacturing, energy, aerospace, automotive, and beyond. As technology continues to evolve, so will control systems engineering. This means, there will be only more opportunities for control engineers!
Apply now for a job as a control engineer!
Instrumentation and Controls Engineer II
Location: Kemmerer, WY
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Production & Manufacturing
Experience: 5 years
Provide support for facilities engineering interface with Instrumentation and Controls. Update documentation consistent with MOC, provide ad hoc support through work processes, and manage drawing updates for modifications and minor re-designs. Evaluate and comment on discipline engineering work performed both internally and by contractors and sub-contractors to ensure compliance with project specifications, company standards, and regulatory requirements. Facilitate effective execution of discipline engineering and design routines that align with the project's goals, objectives, and procedures. Ensure accurate and timely communication among the project team and other company functions regarding discipline engineering activities, progress, and issues. Analyze maintenance records to determine instrument failure rates, availability/reliability calculations, bad actor/failure modes identification, and program effectiveness/cost analysis. Develop and execute process control surveillance programs. Collect and trend process data using the company's multiple process historian databases and visualization software tools. Perform process control philosophy and stability reviews, including execution of control logic updates and loop tuning. Conduct criticality assessments and develop equipment strategies/maintenance plans for instrumentation and control systems, considering Safety Integrity Level (SIL) assessments, industry standards, regulatory requirements, and manufacturer recommendations.
Senior Project Controls Engineer
Location: Doha
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 5 years
Project Controls:Lead the implementation of planning, review, control, start-up execution and closeout processes.Engage and drive project controls process improvement activities.Focal point of contact between project controls and other departments such as integrated activity planning, contracts & procurement, stock network, logistics and finance.Manage the business planning and prioritization process to finalize the budget and project rolling forecasts.Managing and controlling projects using various KPIs and dashboards. Evaluating project status and highlighting any issues early to the stakeholders and management.Define deliverables that support E&C division overall KPIs and are in line with COMPANY standards and guidelines.Leading a team of project controls analyst in maintaining, monitoring & controlling the E&C project portfolio.Support the team in regular activities such as project forecasting, monthly variance explanations, daily commitment creations/updates and project status updates in various systems & tools.Assessing contractor monthly reports and conveying any key points to the E&C Management and stakeholders as required.Ensure the development of systems required to collect, compile, integrate and summarize information and data related to HSEQ, engineering disciplines activities, cost, planning and progress, QA/QC, Risks, Change Controls, C&P, project organization and governance.Manage, control & monitor the project stock for E&C and liaise with C&P and logistics to take actions based on early indicators.Interacting with all concerned parties to ensure information and data are always accurate and relevant to describe ongoing activities, issues & concerns and look ahead.Preparing and submitting E&C division presentation as required for different audiences (COO, ManCom etc.)Any other ad-hoc report / tasks as directed by Department Head or E&C Manager or other stakeholders.Contract Administration:Manage administration of executed contracts for E&C of varying values and complexity, confirming the compliance of the contractors / consultants, or taking actions to ensure compliance with, the contract terms and conditions and alignment with agreed business deliverables.Lead the compilation and preparation of all contracts bidding documentation, including bidders list, inquiry, requests for proposal and recommendations for award of contract for E&C.Monitors contractor performance, including the reporting and status of contractor and owner deliverables.Manages and monitors audit file for each contract which includes original contract, authorized Work Orders, all correspondence to and from the contractor, contract change requests, approved variations, amendments, clarifications, invoices and payments.Interprets contract provisions to help resolve claims and questions submitted by contractors.Lead claims and conflict resolution for E&C with vendors by drafting, reviewing, receiving and sending letters to vendors.Drives & monitors contractors’ compliance with contract requirements ensuring all conditions are satisfied.Manages contract closing activities as needed.Ensure that employees understand and comply with company contracts.Managing contract spending, invoicing and analyze contracts forecast with an eye toward reducing costs.Ensuring timely required action with an overview of contract approved value and date of expiry of individual contracts.Align with different levels of personnel within an organization to analyze and solidify an overall contract strategy for E&C.Responsible for contracts administration procedure/guidelines in line with E&C’s requirement.Systems & Process AdministrationManaging & driving the customizing of project controls systems such as sciforma, spotfire, BW, SAP, Primavera etc. to satisfy project requirements.Acting as a focal point between E&C and other entities to aligning entity specific project controls (systems) requirements with the corporate requirements & plans of delivery.Leading & managing effectiveness / capability of planning functions & tools such as SAP, Sciforma & Primavera to provide more analytical or risk assessed data, as may be required by various stakeholders.Identifying & evaluating inefficiencies in existing processes and recommending optimal business practices & accordingly aligning system functionality and behavior.Responsible for reviewing and approving change requests for all project controls systems.Lead the gathering of requirements and preparing/presenting business cases for change as a part of continuous improvement initiatives.Liaising with Leadership Team in providing updates to improvements related to business processes & system functionality.Collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders to determine requirements, estimate level of effort, and implement solutions for data analysis, reporting, and integration of all projects.Develop and maintain performance reporting systems, processes and presentation formats required for the various purposes and audiences targeted within COMPANY organizationEnsure the E&C community is trained and comfortable with the changes to the process & system.Evaluating and aligning integration points & interfaces and ensuring processes work cross functionally.
Instrumentation & Controls Engineer - Perth Based
Location: Perth CBD
Branche: Mining
Expertise: HR & Recruiting
Experience: 3 years
Role: Create and update technical docs (P&IDs, control logic, etc.). Specify instrumentation, control valves, and actuators for mineral processing. Oversee procurement, installation, and commissioning of systems. Ensure control systems meet design specifications. Follow industry standards and safety regulations. Contribute to design and safety workshops (HAZOP, SIL assessments). Collaborate with cross-functional R&D teams.
Control & Protection Engineer for HVDC Studies - proaktiv (w/m/d)
Location: Ingolstadt
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 2 years
Entwicklung und Implementierung von Steuerungssystemen für HVDC-Anlagen zur effizienten und sicheren Energieübertragung Gestaltung und Optimierung von Schutzstrategien, um die Systemstabilität und -sicherheit in verschiedenen Betriebsszenarien zu gewährleisten Durchführung von Simulationen und Leistungsanalysen zur Bewertung der Effizienz, Stabilität und Zuverlässigkeit von HVDC-Systemen Sicherstellung der nahtlosen Kompatibilität von HVDC-Anlagen mit bestehenden AC-Netzen, inklusive Netzintegration und -stabilität Erstellung technischer Dokumentationen, Berichte und Analysen zur Unterstützung von Projektentwicklungen und zur Sicherstellung der Transparenz Enge Zusammenarbeit mit interdisziplinären Ingenieurteams, um technische Lösungen abzustimmen und die Projekte erfolgreich umzusetzen
Instrument & Control Engineer (Ethylene Storage Project)
Location: Doha
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 5 years
Controls the Contractor’s work to ensure that project technical requirements are satisfied.Coordinates engineering reviews of design and engineering documents.Coordinates the asset operator’s input to the design and engineering.Responsible to ensure that operations and maintenance requirements are satisfied.Controls the contractors work to ensure that the project specification requirements are satisfied.Coordinates Company responses to engineering queries.Evaluates technical basis for contractor change requests.Responsible to monitor and assess contractors engineering progress against the schedule.Confirm third party design interfaces accounted for in engineering design.Assists with verification of contractors claimed engineering progress.Coordinates the interface between the contractor and third-party verification bodies.Participates in testing of critical instrument and control systems.Confirm applicability, suitability, and function of all equipment.Experience working in Ras Laffan Industrial City.
Common control engineer responsibilities
A control engineer is responsible for performing a range of important engineering tasks. Responsibilities may include:
- Analyzing processes and systems for areas of optimization with controls for continuous improvement;
- Designing, developing, and implementing controls using algorithms and technical tools and approaches;
- Managing and maintaining controls in larger systems and processes to facilitate smooth and safe operations;
Troubleshooting control system issues to fix them to ensure high productivity; - Developing software and hardware for controls, guiding installation as needed;
- Implementing solutions using robotic process automation (RPA) as required;
- Drafting technical documentation and reports on control systems;
- Creating technical drawings using computer-aided design (CAD) software;
- Collaborating with customers, engineers, managers, and specialists to develop and deploy the controls in products;
- Tracking progress and delivering control systems engineering results in line with agreed project timelines and budgets;
- Ensuring compliance with relevant requirements, codes, and certifications, and in line with customer needs and demands;
- Leading trainings on system or process controls and equipment as needed;
- Assuring the safety and security of team members.
Qualifications for control engineers
Control engineers should have at least a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Automation, Computer Science, or related. In some countries, an engineering license may also be required
Additional supporting skills and experience include:
- 2-4+ years of engineering experience;
- Solid understanding of construction methods; materials, forces;
- Excellent applied physics, math, and design skills;
- Proficiency in using diverse computer software, including the latest design, modeling, and calculation software like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Matlab/LabView, or similar;
- Experience in project management;
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to be able to work easily with customers, engineers, technicians, and other team members;
- Some work experience gained through an apprenticeship or in a relevant role is an advantage.
