How to Be Electrical Control Engineer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 22, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The Electrical Control Engineer's role is to design, develop, and maintain electrical control systems and components. This involves specifying, designing, testing and troubleshooting the components and systems used in controlling electrical machinery and equipment. The primary cause of a Control Engineer's role is to ensure the safe and efficient operation of electrical systems and equipment, while the effect is the successful and reliable operation of the electrical systems.

To do this, the Electrical Control Engineer must be knowledgeable in a variety of areas, including electrical engineering, computer engineering, software engineering, system design, and electronics. the Control Engineer needs to understand the principles of control theory, as well as components such as sensors, actuators, relays, and programmable logic controllers. With all of these skills and knowledge, the Electrical Control Engineer can ensure the safe and efficient operation of electrical systems and equipment.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming an electrical control engineer is to earn a bachelors degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field. This degree will provide students with a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, and other sciences.
Get Professional Experience. After graduating from college, it is important for prospective electrical control engineers to gain some professional experience in the field. This can be done through internships, apprenticeships, or even part-time employment.
Earn Professional Certification. Earning a certification from a professional organization such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a great way to demonstrate expertise and experience in the field.
Pursue Graduate Studies. Pursuing a masters degree in electrical engineering or a related field is another great way to increase ones knowledge and skillset as an electrical control engineer.
Develop Soft Skills. As with any position, having strong soft skills is paramount to succeeding as an electrical control engineer. Developing communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills can help to improve ones performance in the field.

An Electrical Control Engineer is responsible for designing and programming electrical control systems to ensure reliable and efficient operation of industrial machinery. By creating a system that is able to monitor and report data, the engineer can detect any potential issues before they become costly problems. An effective control system can also reduce energy consumption, resulting in lower operating costs. By focusing on prevention and monitoring, an Electrical Control Engineer can provide their employers with reliable and efficient systems that keep the workplace running smoothly.

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Job Description

Design, develop, and test electrical control systems, including software and hardware components.
Develop electrical control system architecture and documentation.
Write and debug electrical control system software.
Develop and maintain accurate electrical drawings, schematics, and diagrams.
Analyze system performance and troubleshoot complex issues.
Design, install, and configure communication networks for electrical control systems.
Interface with system suppliers and customers to determine requirements and evaluate solutions.
Identify system improvement opportunities and develop corrective action plans.
Evaluate new technology and materials to improve existing systems.
Design, operate, and maintain testing systems for electrical control projects.
Monitor safety regulations and ensure compliance with applicable codes.
Provide technical guidance and training to other team members

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of electrical engineering principles and applications.
Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose electrical systems.
Knowledge of electrical design and control systems.
Ability to read and understand electrical schematics.
Proficiency in the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Knowledge of safety principles and practices related to electrical control systems.
Knowledge of industrial automation systems, such as PLCs, SCADA, and HMI systems.
Ability to design, program, and debug electrical controls systems.
Proficiency in the use of diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, and voltmeters.
Ability to effectively communicate with customers, co-workers, and other stakeholders.

As an Electrical Control Engineer, the most important skill to have is problem-solving. Without the ability to analyze a situation, identify the root cause of a problem, and devise a solution, an Electrical Control Engineer would be unable to effectively design and maintain the electrical control systems that are critical to the success of many industries. Good problem-solving skills require creativity, logical thinking, and the ability to use a variety of analytical tools to identify and troubleshoot complex issues.

strong communication skills are essential for Electrical Control Engineers, as the results of their analysis must be communicated in a way that is clear and easily understood by other team members. Finally, a solid understanding of electrical, electronic, and mechanical systems is necessary in order to successfully design and maintain the systems that are necessary for efficient electrical control.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with electrical control design and implementation?
Have you ever worked on a project involving PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers)?
What are your thoughts on the integration of industrial automation technologies?
Describe a recent project you were involved in which required the use of electrical controls.
How would you handle a situation where you had to troubleshoot a problem with a complex control system?
What strategies do you use to ensure accuracy and safety when designing or implementing electrical controls?
What experience do you have working with SCADA systems (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)?
What challenges have you faced while working with electrical controls in the past?
How familiar are you with various industry standards and codes related to electrical control systems?
How do you stay up-to-date on new technologies related to electrical control engineering?

Common Tools in Industry

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). These are specialized computers that are used to control industrial processes and machines. Example: A PLC can be used to monitor and control a manufacturing line.
Human-Machine Interface (HMI). This is a graphical interface that allows operators to interact with a machine or process. Example: An HMI can be used to monitor the status of a machine or enter commands to start and stop a process.
SCADA System. This is an acronym for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system. It is used to monitor and control large industrial processes from a central location. Example: A SCADA system can be used to monitor and control the operation of an entire factory.
Electrical CAD Software. This is software used to design electrical systems. Example: Electrical CAD software can be used to design the wiring of an industrial facility.
Relay Logic. This is a type of control system based on relays and contacts, which are used to switch electrical circuits on and off. Example: A relay logic system can be used to control the flow of electricity in an industrial facility.

Professional Organizations to Know

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
International Society of Automation (ISA)
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)
The American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM)
International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC)
International Federation of Robotics (IFR)
International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP)
Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

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Common Important Terms

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). A specialized computer used to control industrial processes, such as motors, pumps, and conveyors.
Automation. The use of technology to reduce the need for human labor and increase efficiency and accuracy in operations.
SCADA. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition; a system used to monitor, control, and report on industrial processes.
HMI. Human Machine Interface; a graphical user interface which enables an operator to control, monitor, and set up a machine or process.
PID. Proportional-Integral-Derivative controller; a type of control system used to automatically adjust the output of a process to maintain a desired setpoint.
Ladder Logic. A graphical programming language used to program PLCs.
Robotics. The use of robots to automate tasks that may involve physical labor or repetitive activities.
Process Control. The adjustment of process parameters in order to control a process and maintain desired conditions.
Industrial Networking. The process of connecting computers, machines, and other devices in an industrial setting to share data and information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What experience do electrical control engineers need?

Electrical control engineers typically require a degree in electrical engineering and relevant experience in areas such as automation, control systems, robotics, industrial networking, and process control.

What tasks do electrical control engineers perform?

Electrical control engineers are responsible for designing, programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining electrical control systems. Tasks include designing and configuring controllers, creating and testing software programs, programming microcontrollers, and testing and modifying circuits.

What kind of environment do electrical control engineers work in?

Electrical control engineers can work in a variety of environments such as manufacturing plants, industrial facilities, and research laboratories.

What skills do electrical control engineers need?

Electrical control engineers need to have strong technical skills in areas such as electrical engineering, computer programming, and automation. They should also possess problem-solving and analytical skills.

What is the job outlook for electrical control engineers?

The job outlook for electrical control engineers is positive. Employment of electrical engineers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Web Resources

Electrical Controls Engineer | NC State Online and Distance online-distance.ncsu.edu
Control Systems (Electrical) | Electrical and Computer Engineering ece.engineering.uiowa.edu
What Do Electrical Engineers Do? | National University - nu.edu www.nu.edu