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!
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 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 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.
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
Mechanical Engineers (w/m/d)
Location: Näfels
Branche: Machine & Plant Design
Expertise: Production & Manufacturing
Experience: 2 years
Entwicklung und Konstruktion von mechanischen Komponenten und Systemen Durchführung von Berechnungen und Simulationen zur Optimierung von Designs Erstellung von CAD-Modellen und technischen Zeichnungen Zusammenarbeit mit interdisziplinären Teams (Elektronik, Software, Produktion) zur Umsetzung von Projekten Unterstützung bei der Durchführung von Tests und Prototypenentwicklungen Sicherstellung der Einhaltung von Qualitätsstandards und technischen Vorgaben Analyse und Lösung von technischen Problemen im Produktionsprozess
Project Control Engineer
Location: Bangalore
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Research & Development
Experience: 4 years
Position: Project Control Engineer.Contract: On Permanent Role.
Project Controls Manager
Location: remote
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Controlling
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
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.
