Controls Engineer job description.
A Controls Engineer designs, programs, and maintains automated control systems used in manufacturing, industrial, or building environments. They develop PLC and SCADA logic, integrate sensors and actuators, troubleshoot system faults, and optimize automated processes for efficiency and safety. The role requires strong technical knowledge of electrical and control systems, programming skills, and hands-on troubleshooting ability in a plant or facility setting.
The Controls Engineer job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 9 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Controls Engineer Reports to: Engineering Manager or Plant Manager
A Controls Engineer designs, programs, and maintains automated control systems used in manufacturing, industrial, or building environments. They develop PLC and SCADA logic, integrate sensors and actuators, troubleshoot system faults, and optimize automated processes for efficiency and safety. The role requires strong technical knowledge of electrical and control systems, programming skills, and hands-on troubleshooting ability in a plant or facility setting.
- Design and program PLC, SCADA, and HMI control systems
- Integrate sensors, actuators, and control hardware into automated processes
- Troubleshoot and repair control system faults and downtime issues
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
9 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
5 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Engineering Manager or Plant Manager
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Design and program PLC, SCADA, and HMI control systems
- Integrate sensors, actuators, and control hardware into automated processes
- Troubleshoot and repair control system faults and downtime issues
- Test and validate control system upgrades before deployment
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and process engineers on system design
- Develop and maintain control system documentation and schematics
- Support commissioning and startup of new automated equipment
- Identify opportunities to improve process efficiency through automation
- Ensure control systems comply with safety and regulatory standards
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, controls, or automation engineering, or equivalent experience
- Experience programming PLCs (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens) and SCADA systems
- Strong understanding of electrical schematics and industrial control hardware
- Experience troubleshooting automated equipment in a production environment
- Knowledge of relevant safety and industry standards
- Experience with robotics or motion control systems
- Familiarity with industrial networking protocols (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Profibus)
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or relevant certifications
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Controls Engineer job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Controls Engineer job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Engineering Manager or Plant Manager) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What programming skills should a Controls Engineer candidate have?
- Look for hands-on experience with PLC platforms relevant to your equipment (such as Allen-Bradley or Siemens) plus familiarity with SCADA and HMI software.
- Is this role more electrical or software focused?
- It blends both; Controls Engineers need solid electrical fundamentals along with programming skills to design and maintain automated systems.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
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An Electrical Engineer designs, develops, and tests electrical systems and components for products, equipment, or infrastructure.
Industrial Engineer
An industrial engineer improves the efficiency of production and operational systems by analyzing workflows, layouts, and resource use.
Instrumentation Technician
An instrumentation technician installs, calibrates, and maintains the measurement and control instruments used in industrial processes, such as sensors, transmitters, and control valves.
This Controls Engineer job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.