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Industrial automation is a great field to get into. It’s the future of manufacturing and you can work with high-tech machinery and Artificial Intelligence. An automation engineer uses technology to improve, streamline, and automate the manufacturing process. They are responsible for the testing, implementation, and monitoring of this technology.

If you’re looking to pursue your future in technology and engineering, or simply for a career change, then industrial automation could suit you. The salary and prospects are very promising and you’ll learn many transferable skills. Here are a few tips on how to become a certified automation engineer.

What is industrial automation?

Industrial automation is based on three main steps: measurement, control, and actuators. Sensors take measurements and send readings to control. A programmable logic controller (PLC) decides which actions to take and sends commands to the actuators. These include all the robotic parts and machinery such as mechanical arms, planetary screw, and rollers.

The automation engineer has the job of setting up this automatic process. They work designing and developing the process and ensure proper communication between the actuators and the PLC. They also need to test, monitor and control industrial automation every step of the way. This requires technical skills and attention to detail. 

Testing

Testing is an important part of the process and you can even specialize in automation testing. In order to optimize the performance of the automated system, it needs frequent testing and evaluation. There are a lot of state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies involved. This requires a deep understanding of programming. Coding plays a big role and is a necessary skill for many technical jobs in the engineering field.

What qualifications and skills do you need?

The more typical route is continuing on from a Bachelor’s degree in any type of engineering, mechanical and electrical being the most common. You’ll then need to certify in automation. A popular and prestigious qualification is the Certified Automation Professional (CAP) certificate. This program covers a wide range of automation topics needed for competence in the field.

The skills required for this type of job include problem solving, analytics, knowledge of specific equipment and processes, communication, and creativity. This type of engineer might well need to work closely with others to ensure areas of the automation process meet set guidelines.

Salary and benefits

A certified automation engineer can expect to earn around $89,625 a year plus bonuses. You’ll also likely receive common benefits such as health insurance, tuition reimbursement, and 401k matching. There are many future prospects in this field as well as it’s a growing industry. Read more about the average salary and other stats for automation engineers. 

If you think you’ve got the technical skills to become a certified automation engineer then why not give it a go? If you are planning on studying an engineering degree it could be a very lucrative career path for you. It’s a great opportunity to work in the midst of the latest technology and innovations in the manufacturing industry.