Careers → Controls Engineer
What controls engineers do, what they earn in 2026, the skills that matter, and how it compares to electrical and automation engineering roles.
Day in the life
Controls engineering is fundamentally about making machines work correctly and safely. On a typical project, a controls engineer writes the functional specification (what the machine must do), designs the electrical control panel (what hardware it needs and how it is wired), writes the PLC program (what logic drives it), develops the HMI (how operators interact with it), and then commissions the complete system at the customer site.
In-house controls engineers at manufacturers focus more on modifications and upgrades to existing equipment, writing small programs for new features, troubleshooting field failures, and maintaining electrical documentation. Controls engineers at system integrators focus more on new-build projects: designing from a blank sheet, commissioning at customer sites, and handling the customer relationship.
Safety system design is a distinguishing feature of many controls engineer roles — specifying safety-rated components (E-stops, light curtains, safety PLCs), performing SIL assessments against IEC 62061 / EN 13849, and writing LOTO procedures. This safety depth separates the controls engineer title from a general automation technician.
Controls engineer salary 2026
| Region | Entry (0–2 yrs) | Mid (3–7 yrs) | Senior (8+ yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $65k–$85k | $90k–$120k | $120k–$160k |
| United Kingdom | £38k–£50k | £50k–£70k | £70k–£95k |
| Germany / DACH | €45k–€60k | €62k–€85k | €85k–€110k |
| Australia | AUD $75k–$95k | AUD $95k–$130k | AUD $130k–$165k |
| South Africa | R340k–R500k | R500k–R780k | R780k–R1.2M |
| Canada | CAD $62k–$82k | CAD $85k–$115k | CAD $115k–$155k |
Skills checklist
How to get there
Electrical, mechatronics, or controls engineering degree is the standard. Experienced PLC technicians (5+ years, strong commissioning background) do move into engineer-titled roles, especially at SIs. If you are starting from a trade, the PLC Technician → Senior Technician → Controls Engineer path takes 6–10 years but is well documented.
You need to be able to write a complete PLC program from a functional specification without help. Practice with our free browser simulator — it runs real ladder logic, timers, counters, and analog processing. The 40+ graded scenarios build the portfolio evidence you need for interviews.
Learn to read and ideally draw control schematics (EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical, or even hand-drawn for small projects). This is what separates a programmer from a controls engineer in most job descriptions.
The ISA CCST Level 2 or TÜV Functional Safety Engineer certification is the clearest credential signal for controls engineer roles. It demonstrates the safety-system depth the title implies.
Interview prep
Controls engineer interviews run deeper technically than technician interviews. Expect questions on program architecture (why would you split logic into separate routines), safety system design (how do you determine the required SIL for a safety function), electrical choices (when would you use a safety relay vs a safety PLC), and commissioning judgment (what do you check before closing a control panel and energising for the first time).
Related roles
Free simulator. Graded scenarios. No install, no vendor license.