Description
Design, model, implement, and validate feedback and automation control systems for industrial, commercial, aerospace, or energy applications. Develop control algorithms, select sensors and actuators, and integrate PLC/DCS/SCADA or embedded controllers to meet performance, safety, and reliability requirements.
- • Design control algorithms, architectures, and interfaces for automation, motion, or process control applications.
- • Inspect control systems, sensors, actuators, and panels to verify compliance with specifications, safety standards, and codes.
- • Prepare control system documentation, including functional specifications, control narratives, I/O lists, P&IDs, test plans, and performance reports.
- • Direct or coordinate installation, commissioning, maintenance, and upgrades of PLC/DCS/SCADA or embedded control systems.
- • Develop and execute test, verification, and maintenance procedures for control loops, interlocks, and safety instrumented functions.
- • Plan or develop model-based designs or modifications to improve stability, robustness, responsiveness, and energy efficiency.
- • Prepare engineering drawings and specifications for control panels, wiring, network architecture, and instrument installation.
- • Prepare, review, or maintain configuration baselines, change logs, design documentation, and operational dashboards.
- • Establish project criteria, validation protocols, FAT/SAT procedures, and quality plans for control system delivery.
- • Represent the organization at reviews and meetings to present control strategies, results, and risk assessments and to align stakeholders.
- • Investigate energy-efficient control strategies for drives, HVAC, process optimization, or regenerative systems.
- • Research or develop advanced control technologies such as model predictive, adaptive, or fault-tolerant control.
- • Determine instrumentation, controller, and network equipment needs and procurement specifications.
- • Evaluate project work and control performance using KPIs, stability margins, and compliance with requirements.
- • Analyze system dynamics, requirements, constraints, and cost to assess control solution feasibility and architecture.
- • Confer with process, mechanical, electrical, and software teams, vendors, or clients on control system design and integration.
- • Use modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) and CAE software to design and validate control systems.
- • Recommend tuning, redesigns, or retrofits of control loops and architectures based on environment, reliability, and lifecycle cost.
- • Provide technical support or training on control standards, PLC/DCS programming, and instrumentation practices.
- • Prepare budget or cost estimates and schedules for control hardware, software, installation, and commissioning.
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
