Whether you're at work or at home, almost every piece of equipment or system you use has an entire team behind it - and one of the most influential members of that team is the control system engineer. These skilled engineers are among the most sought-after employees in the manufacturing industry, thanks to their ability to design and develop important parts of control systems.
What is a Control Systems Engineer?
Control system engineers (also known as control system engineers or control engineers) design, develop, and implement aspects and solutions of control systems. Control systems engineers bring stability to dynamic systems that need to be redeveloped and updated to meet the needs of society. Understanding the ins and outs of these ever-changing systems is critical for engineers as they must deliver the desired results for consumers.
How does a Control Systems Engineer work?
The goal of a control systems engineer is to think outside the box and help create a product that can meet the needs of society through a control system.
Much of what control engineers do is mathematical modeling on computers, which means they must be computer savvy and have specialized knowledge of mathematics. Understanding how machines and programs work allows for more control during the testing, updating and development phases.
Thanks to modern technology, computers can determine how a control system engineer's variables are transformed in the production line. Using this modeling software, the system engineer will design and develop prototypes for the actual product.
Each final product must be of superior quality and meet the expectations of the drafting stage. The control system engineer must ensure that all variables and components work correctly and efficiently.
What is the relevant field of control systems engineering?
The good news is that engineers are in high demand, so there is always a lot to do in this field. According to the claim, there are many related jobs and fields that may require the use of control systems engineers:
- Aeronautical Engineer
- Agricultural and Biological Engineer
- Audio Engineer
- Bioengineering & Biochemical Engineer
- Biomedical Engineer
- Ceramics & Materials Engineer
- Chemical Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Computer Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Environmental Engineers
- Geological and Geophysical Engineer
- Industrial/Manufacturing Engineer
- Marine Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Mining Engineers
- Nuclear Engineer
- Petroleum Engineer
- Computer Science Engineer
However, regardless of the exact industry, control systems engineers are creators who rely on science and math to develop solutions to technical problems. They must use commercial and industrial applications to meet consumer needs. This could mean solving a minor technical recall in an automobile to develop an entirely new product.
What is a control system?
A control system is designed to manage, command, direct, or regulate the behavior of other devices using control loops. One of the most critical parts of an engineer's job is designing around open and closed loop functionality.
Here are some common examples of everyday control systems:
- TV
- Video Games
- Cars
- Ovens
- Thermostats
- Airplanes
- Refrigerator
The main difference between the two is that the closed loop has feedback. Feedback communicates with the input controller to send important information so that it can take appropriate action.
For example, let's say you purchased a temperature-controlled heater because your bedroom is cold at night. Before going to bed, you set the temperature of the heater to 75 degrees. The heater begins to operate and blow warm air until it senses that it has reached 75 degrees. The feedback will then tell the controller that it has reached the desired temperature. In turn, the controller will turn off the heater until it falls below 75 degrees again. This closed loop system helps prevent overheating and overwork.
Control Systems in Manufacturing
In manufacturing, control systems are used to manage processes and machines. Similar to automation, they help to increase production and efficiency. As a result, control systems engineers may find themselves working in a number of specialized areas, such as:
- Agriculture
- Chemical, power and nuclear plants
- Water and sewage treatment plants
- Pulp and paper mills
- Quality, boiler and environmental control
- Food and food processing
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
However, automation is rapidly taking over hundreds of these industries, which may leave control systems engineers wondering if their careers will grow with the technology of the future.
Control Systems Engineers and Future Technologies
There is no doubt that the use of automation is increasing. Most popular in industrial environments, process automation, industrial software and robotics, industrial automation is expected to generate $214 billion worldwide.
There's good reason for this: automation is beneficial and it changes the way everything is produced. It speeds up production times, increases productivity, and costs less. It's not uncommon for large manufacturers to consider switching to better meet today's supply and demand rates.
But this raises key questions: where have the human employees gone? Are control system engineers' jobs in jeopardy?
Automation is indeed replacing human employees, but it looks like systems engineers are here to stay. Ultimately it comes down to the possibility of replacing the creativity and trainability that workers provide - which is why control systems engineers are still essential.
Control systems engineers will see 3% growth over the next decade, which is roughly the same as the national average. However, specific areas such as manufacturing and utilities will see slower but still positive growth.
In addition, as automation becomes more prevalent, control systems engineers are taking on more advanced roles as times change. Some companies are now offering new job titles such as "Automation and Control Systems Engineer".
The combined role of automation and control systems means that engineers must be familiar with automation and know how to work with it. This is not as easy as some might think, as automation is still relatively new in many areas of manufacturing.
This means that becoming an expert automation and control systems engineer requires excellence.
How to Become a Control Systems Engineer?
A control systems engineer is just one potential career path in the grand world of engineering. For the most part, these roles are suited to manufacturing and automation environments, which require specific knowledge. Typically, a control systems engineer's education overlaps with electrical and mechanical engineering.
Even so, the benefits are plentiful: the average salary for a control systems engineer is $79,879, and there is a high demand for people with this skill set. So if you're interested in becoming a control systems engineer, there are a few steps you'll have to take to get on the right path.
- Earn a Bachelor's Degree: earn a bachelor's degree in general engineering. Your program will also cover electrical, mechanical and civil engineering, as well as computer science courses.
- Earn a Master's Degree: While many companies only require a bachelor's degree, if you want to become a control systems engineer, then earning a master's degree in a specific field of engineering is a smart idea. The more education you put into yourself, the higher your salary and the more career opportunities you may be able to obtain.
- Get licensed: You must obtain a professional engineering (PE) license. This is required in every state and you can't start working without one. Here's how to apply for a PE license.
- Get Field Experience: Whether you decide to get a doctorate in engineering, you should start looking for field experience while you are still in school. Many professional positions like control engineers require years of experience and field work, and there is plenty of evidence to prove it.
In addition, the Control Systems Engineer should have the following specific skills:
- Knowledge and experience in industrial automation
- Experience with systems such as Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), SCADA systems and vision systems
- Understanding of software development skills such as C/C++/C#, VB, SQL and Java
- Strong math skills, as you will be using math-based computer programs
- Problem solving skills as no two projects, problems or products are the same
- Good communication to create collaborative and effective teams
- Understanding of network services such as LAN, WAN, WLAN and VPNs
Whether you've already started your career path to becoming a control systems engineer or are just beginning your research, this little guide can help you determine if engineering is right for you.
Conclusion
Control Systems Engineers are one of the many types of people who have an important "behind the scenes" role. Without the expertise, creativity, and knowledge that control systems engineers bring to the table, many of the things we use every day would not be as advanced as they are.
The good news is that control engineers are a growing and rewarding career path, even as industrial automation evolves. Working as a control systems engineer is a great way to become an expert in computers and extraordinary design, while also improving your math skills. That said, however, it's not an easy path to follow - so make sure engineering is right for you.