Businesses focusing on automation, advanced manufacturing, or intricate control systems require qualified control engineers. These engineers are responsible for designing and managing control systems for the smooth operation of industrial and commercial processes.
Choosing the right candidate demands attention because a bad hire can cause inefficiencies, downtime, or unnecessary expenses. Hiring is a multifactorial decision that requires a lot of consideration in regard to technical skills and critical thinking ability.
Technical Knowledge and Relevant Experience
When searching for a “controls engineer near me,” be aware that a qualified controls engineer must have sound knowledge in areas like automation, PLC programming, SCADA, and industrial networking. The candidate needs to be experienced with the particular control systems that pertain to a particular industry’s needs, be it automotive, pharmaceuticals, energy, or manufacturing.
Hiring an engineer with experience designing and implementing control systems will result in solving problems more efficiently. Certifications and knowledge of pertinent product suppliers such as Rockwell Automation or Siemens can also support their technical capabilities.
Problem Solving and Analytical Skills
More often than not, being a controls engineer means dealing with highly intricate challenges related to a system or multiple systems and rectifying them. Their skills in problem analysis, efficient solution development, and quick implementation often greatly impact system downtime.
A strong candidate should demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to troubleshoot issues under pressure. Asking about past projects or hypothetical scenarios during interviews can offer a glimpse into their skill set.
Adaptability and Willingness to Learn
Advancements in automation and controls undergo constant change, which means engineers should keep pace with these changes. The controls engineer should be ready to learn new technologies, changes in programming languages, and industry standards.
Incorporating new challenges and changes in the existing system, for improved performance, is crucial for efficiency and competitiveness. The sooner a professional development opportunity is pursued, for example, a training session or certification course, the more useful the employee is to the organization.
Communication with Team Members
A control systems engineer must collaborate with other teams or groups, such as the mechanical and electrical engineering teams and the production management team. Effective communication is important to ensure that control systems are created within the context of the entire system’s operation.
It is equally important to be able to illustrate some of the more complicated concepts to people who do not possess the requisite technical background. When looking to hire someone, a candidate’s ability to work in a team, document processes, and communicate is one of the key indicators of their suitability to your team.
Project Management and Organizational Skills
In addition to possessing technical skills, a control systems engineer should also be skilled in organizing and managing projects. In this role, they are most often required to manage many projects concurrently, ensuring that the targets are met and that the tasks are carried out effectively.
An organized engineer can set levels of importance to various tasks, file documents, and work closely with stakeholders so as not to cause untimely deliveries. A candidate’s previous project experience, advanced timelines and project scope, and other details will help one evaluate their project management skills.
Conclusion
When employing a controls engineer, evaluating their technical skills, problem-solving skills, adaptability, communication, and project management experience is essential. This way, a qualified candidate can improve automation processes, productivity, and long-term business goals. By weighing these factors, employers can evaluate a candidate’s fit within their technical requirements and the company’s goals and culture.
Featured Image Source: https://pacificblueengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/010-1-2.jpg
