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! 

Function & Control Systems Engineer (w/m/d)

Location: Lindau Bodensee

Branche: Machine & Plant Design

Expertise: Production & Manufacturing

Experience: 3 years

Entwicklung von funktionalen Anforderungen für Motorsteuergeräte Entwicklung von SW-Architekturen aus funktionalen Anforderungen Erstellung von SW Anforderungen für Motorreglerfunktionen Abstimmung der Anforderungen mit den Stakeholdern außerhalb der Elektronikentwicklung Implementierung der Anforderungen, ggf. Überwachung der Implementierung durch Dritte Entwicklung von Source Code und Entwicklertests Entwicklung und Durchführung von Modultests Zuarbeit für den Geräte- und Systemtest sowie anderer Testphasen

Project Controls Manager

Location: Safford

Branche: Mining

Expertise: Quality Management

Experience: 5 years

The contract PCM will oversees project controls functional area for very large, multidisciplinary, high-risk, capital engineering and construction projects from FEED to operations. You will be responsible for project planning and scheduling, cost estimating and monitoring, progress measurement, risk management and reporting. Manage project controls personnel. Responsible for establishing operating policies to mitigate risk. Provides guidance and consultation for project managers and corporate management. Experienced with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. This role will be a 'hands-on' position with the successful applicant undertaking the day-to day cost engineering duties on the owner's team. Essential Functions:* Guide and direct resolution of project difficulties and complex project control issues. Strong analytical skills required to review all project controls information and ensure accuracy as well as identify issues, concerns and potential mitigations. * Interact with the Project Management team and corporate management team and participate in regular project meetings. Gather information and prepare reports and presentations of information as needed on the project.* Identify and communicate design changes, scope changes and schedule slippages and potential impacts and participate in the identification of mitigations. Ensure trends of cost and schedule are identified, manage change management process and communicate and suggest corrective actions.* Coordinate with cross functional team in project setting, ensure project controls team members are interfacing with engineering, procurement, contracts and construction on concepts and relationships to the scope of work and ensure adherence to safety and quality standards.* Oversees project baseline process for cost, schedule and progress and ensure all project systems are implemented according to process and company standards and procedures. * Ensure full implementation of company processes and procedures as well as industry best practices with regards to project controls on the project following the company project stage gate process. * Establish risk management protocol which includes identification, documentation, mitigation and tracking of potential risks on the project. In addition, determine potential cost and schedule/progress impacts of potential risks as they are identified. * Ensure the accuracy of reported progress percentage based on the rules of credit established within the project. Develop progress measurement process for required scopes of work.* Establish and manage project schedule development, review and update processes and to ensure accuracy and alignment with the overall master schedule.* Manage and ensure all project required reporting is pared and submitted as per approved reporting schedule for the project.* Mentor and lead a staff of project controls team members, ensure project is staffed appropriately, conduct regular staff performance reviews and manage any staffing issues that may arise. Job Scope: * Nature of work: Works on highly complex issues and responsible to implement solutions. Leads and directs the work of others. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. * Level of interaction: Leads the department with interaction with external piers in various departments, responsible for cross coordination between groups. * Autonomy/decision making: Works under very limited to no supervision and has latitude to set objectives, priorities and timelines * Budgetary responsibility: Has moderate budgetary responsibility * Managerial responsibility: Leads large multidisciplinary project controls team

Project Controls Manager

Location: Chino Valley

Branche: Mining

Expertise: Controlling

Experience: 0 years

The contract PCM will oversees project controls functional area for very large, multidisciplinary, high-risk, capital engineering and construction projects from FEED to operations. You will be responsible for project planning and scheduling, cost estimating and monitoring, progress measurement, risk management and reporting. Manage project controls personnel. Responsible for establishing operating policies to mitigate risk. Provides guidance and consultation for project managers and corporate management. Experienced with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. This role will be a 'hands-on' position with the successful applicant undertaking the day-to day cost engineering duties on the owner's team.

Project Controls Manager

Location: Morenci, Arizona

Branche: Mining

Expertise: Controlling

Experience: 5 years

Manages and oversees project controls functional area for very large multidisciplinary high risk capital engineering and construction projects. Responsible for project planning and scheduling, cost estimating and monitoring, progress measurement, risk management and reporting. Manages project controls personnel. Responsible for establishing operating policies to mitigate risk. Provides guidance and consultation for project managers and corporate management. Experienced with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. This position is "hands on" or working manager position.DUTIES: * Guide and direct resolution of project difficulties and complex project control issues. Strong analytical skills required to review all project controls information and ensure accuracy as well as identify issues, concerns and potential mitigations. * Interact with the Project Management team and Corporate management team and participate in regular project meetings. Gather information and prepare reports and presentations of information as needed on the project. * Identify and communicate design changes, scope changes and schedule slippages and potential impacts and participate in the identification of mitigations. Ensure trends of cost and schedule are identified, manage change management process and communicate and suggest corrective actions.* Coordinate with cross functional team in project setting, ensure project controls team members are interfacing with engineering, procurement, contracts and construction on concepts and relationships to the scope of work and ensure adherence to safety and quality standards.* Oversees project baseline process for cost, schedule and progress and ensure all project systems are implemented according to process and company standards and procedures. * Ensure full implementation of company processes and procedures as well as industry best practices with regards to project controls on the project following the company project stage gate process. * Establish risk management protocol which includes identification, documentation, mitigation and tracking of potential risks on the project. Determine potential cost and schedule/progress impacts of potential risks as they are identified. * Ensure the accuracy of reported progress percentage based on the rules of credit established within the project. Develop progress measurement process for required scopes of work.* Establish and manage project schedule development, review and update processes and to ensure accuracy and alignment with the overall master schedule.* Manage and ensure all project required reporting is pared and submitted as per approved reporting schedule for the project.* Mentor and lead a large staff of project controls team members, ensure project is staffed appropriately, conduct regular staff performance reviews and manage any staffing issues that may arise.

Project Controls Manager

Location: Bagdad

Branche: Mining

Expertise: Quality Management

Experience: 0 years

Manages and oversees project controls functional area for very large multidisciplinary high risk capital engineering and construction projects from FEED to operations. Responsible for project planning and scheduling, cost estimating and monitoring, progress measurement, risk management and reporting. Manages project controls personnel. Responsible for establishing operating policies to mitigate risk. Provides guidance and consultation for project managers and corporate management. Experienced with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Rely on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. This role will be a 'hands on' position with the successful applicant undertaking the day-to-day engineering duties on the owner's team.

Industrial Engineer (w/m/d)

Location: Stuttgart

Branche: Machine & Plant Design

Expertise: Production & Manufacturing

Experience: 2 years

Entwicklung und Planung des Layouts für einen neuen Standort zur Montage unter Berücksichtigung von Produktionsanforderungen, Logistik und zukünftiger Skalierbarkeit Optimierung der Produktionsfläche hinsichtlich Effizienz, ergonomischem Arbeitsfluss, Materialtransportwegen und Einhaltung von Sicherheits- und Arbeitsschutzvorschriften Koordination und enge Zusammenarbeit mit interdisziplinären Teams, einschließlich Produktion, Logistik, Qualitätssicherung und Engineering, zur Sicherstellung technischer Anforderungen und Produktionsziele Durchführung von Prozessanalysen bestehender Abläufe zur Identifikation von Verbesserungspotenzialen und Ableitung geeigneter Maßnahmen zur Effizienzsteigerung Entwicklung von Layout- und Flächenkonzepten mithilfe gängiger Planungstools und Präsentation der Ergebnisse gegenüber internen Stakeholdern Begleitung der Umsetzung vor Ort sowie Überwachung der Einhaltung von Zeitplänen und Budget

SCADA Engineer (m/w/d)

Location: Bielefeld

Branche: Machine & Plant Design

Expertise: Planning & Testing

Experience: 3 years

Konzeption, Entwicklung und Implementierung von SCADA-Systemen Visualisierung von Prozess- und Produktionsdaten Anbindung von SPS- und Leitsystemen Datenanalyse und Optimierung von Anlagenprozessen Unterstützung bei Inbetriebnahmen und Systemtests Pflege und Weiterentwicklung bestehender SCADA-Lösungen

Hardware Engineer Energieversorgung (w/m/d)

Location: Wien

Branche: Renewable Energy

Expertise: Research & Development

Experience: 2 years

Als Hardware Engineer (w/m/d) verantworten Sie die Projektierung der elektrotechnischen Ausrüstung von Energieversorgungsprojekten unter Einhaltung aller technischen Anforderungen, Normen und Kundenvorschriften. Selbstständig erstellen Sie Stromlaufpläne, Aufbaupläne und Verkabelungslisten. Sie unterstützen bei der elektrotechnischen Kalkulation und dem Angebotswesen. Die Organisation des Schaltschrankbaus sowie die Abstimmung der elektrotechnischen Arbeiten mit den anderen Gewerken ist ebenso Teil Ihres Verantwortungsbereichs.

Manufacturing Engineer - Medizintechnik (w/m/d)

Branche: Medical devices

Expertise: Production & Manufacturing

Experience: 2 years

Sie definieren und beschreiben Fertigungsprozesse und erstellen die technische Dokumentation unter Berücksichtigung der Arbeitssicherheit, der Produktionsmethoden und der Qualitätsanforderungen. Sie führen neue Produkte ein, indem Sie Prozesslayouts definieren, Werkzeuge entwickeln und neue Fertigungsanlagen implementieren. Sie überwachen die erfolgreiche Überführung von Produkten in die Serienfertigung und stellen die Produktqualität sicher. In Zusammenarbeit mit den relevanten Abteilungen identifizieren und lösen Sie Produktions- und Qualitätsprobleme. Sie gewährleisten die Einhaltung regulatorischer Anforderungen durch Validierung und Verifizierung. Zudem erstellen Sie technische Dokumentationen, einschließlich Testspezifikationen, Montageanleitungen und Prozessvalidierungen. Sie leiten und wirken an Lean- sowie Produktivitätsprojekten zur kontinuierlichen Verbesserung mit. Darüber hinaus unterstützen und implementieren Sie Automatisierungs- und Digitalisierungsprojekte.

System Engineer ADAS (w/m/d)

Location: Braunschweig

Branche: Automotive

Expertise: Research & Development

Experience: 1 years

Überwachung der Systementwicklungsprozesse, um sicherzustellen, dass alle definierten Anforderungen und Normen (z.B. ISO 9001, IATF 16949) eingehalten werden. Erstellen detaillierter Spezifikationen und technischer Dokumentationen, um eine klare Kommunikation mit allen Projektbeteiligten zu gewährleisten. Durchführung von Risikoanalysen und Bewertung von Sicherheitsaspekten gemäß ISO 26262 und anderen relevanten Standards. Sicherstellung einer erfolgreichen Integration der Systemkomponenten und Unterstützung bei der Validierung und Verifikation der Systeme im Entwicklungsprozess. Enge Zusammenarbeit mit verschiedenen Fachabteilungen wie Software-, Hardware- und Testteams, um eine effiziente Systementwicklung zu gewährleisten. Planung und Durchführung von Systemtests, um die Funktionalität und Sicherheit des Systems zu überprüfen und sicherzustellen, dass es den Anforderungen entspricht. Verantwortlich für das Management von Systementwicklungsprojekten, inklusive Zeitplanung, Ressourcenmanagement und Budgetüberwachung. Identifikation und Implementierung von Verbesserungsmaßnahmen im Systementwicklungsprozess, basierend auf Best Practices und Lessons Learned. Unterstützung bei der Auswahl von Lieferanten und Dienstleistern für Systemkomponenten und Verantwortung für die Qualität und Pünktlichkeit der Lieferungen. Verantwortung für die Abnahme von Systemen und Komponenten in Zusammenarbeit mit den relevanten Stakeholdern und die Dokumentation der Abnahmetests.

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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.

Sources of information 

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