What does a Control Engineer do?

A control engineer’s responsibilities include supervising on-site engineers or engineering technologists, project management, client interaction, and advice. A control engineer must be a professional engineer with a full license. Control engineers are primarily responsible for reviewing existing processes, offering advice, and assisting with the system’s planning and implementation. Typically, projects in a production or manufacturing facility require this type of engineering.

To become a professional engineer (P.Eng), candidates must first earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering from a university. The duration of these programs is usually four to five years. Calculus, physics, algebra, technology, and English are among the high school courses required for admission to these programs. Because an engineering degree is a professional designation program, it is typically more expensive than a bachelor’s degree, resulting in greater wage-earning capacity upon graduation.

This type of position is rewarding for people who enjoy interacting with others, are natural leaders, and skilled engineers. In this position, interpersonal skills and oral communication are extremely important. Project management is an important aspect of this job, as are planning skills.

Control engineers are responsible for supervising or managing groups of engineering technologists, engineers, and other specialists. The number of people and the scope of their responsibilities varies by industry. Typically, the control engineer is brought in to collaborate with on-site engineering personnel. The ability to quickly establish a team environment, encourage collaboration, and share information is essential for success in this position.

The primary focus of the control engineer’s work is project management. He or she is in charge of project planning, timeline creation, regular meeting organization, working with contractors and clients, and keeping the team on track in this position. The implementation of a process-changing technology is usually the type of project that necessitates the use of a controlling engineer. As the project progresses, he or she must work with the on-site staff, teaching them new skills.

Interacting with customers is an important aspect of the control engineer’s job. He or she is usually involved from the first meeting through the project design or specifications review and creation, as well as working with the on-site team. The control engineer usually organizes regular meetings, setting the agenda and bringing in team members as needed.

The control engineer’s success hinges on knowledge transfer and active participation facilitation. Important skills include the ability to work well with a diverse group of people, solve problems quickly, and share information and experience with colleagues. Additional training in team building, effective communication, and mentoring can be very beneficial to control engineers in this role.