Control Systems Engineer Job Description Template (Example) Job Description
A practical, editable job-description template for hiring a Control Systems Engineer. Use it to define responsibilities, essential skills and a short advert paragraph ready for job boards.
What does a Control Systems Engineer Job Description Template (Example) professional do?
An engineer who designs, programs and commissions PLC/HMI/SCADA control systems for industrial processes and supports installation, testing and troubleshooting on site.
Control Systems Engineer Job Description Template (Example) job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Control Systems Engineer
About the role
[Company Name] is recruiting a Control Systems Engineer to design, programme and commission PLC-based control systems and HMIs for industrial projects. You will develop functional specifications, write control logic, carry out factory and site testing, lead commissioning activities and provide post‑installation support. This is a [full-time / permanent / contract] role based in [Location] with occasional site travel. Salary: [Salary Range].
Key responsibilities
- Develop control system functional specifications and detailed design documentation
- Program and configure PLCs, HMIs and associated I/O and instrumentation
- Design and implement HMI screens and SCADA interfaces to meet operator requirements
- Create and execute test plans: unit tests, integration tests, FAT and SAT
- Commission systems on site, lead technical handovers and train operators/maintenance staff
- Troubleshoot and resolve control, communication and instrumentation faults
- Integrate industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus and similar) and ensure robust communications
- Collaborate with project engineers, electrical designers and vendors to meet project timelines
Essential skills and experience
- Practical experience programming industrial PLCs and developing HMI screens (experience with mainstream vendors expected)
- Proven track record of designing and commissioning industrial control systems
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams and I/O lists
- Experience performing FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) and SAT (Site Acceptance Test) activities
- Good fault‑finding skills with systematic approach to debugging control systems
- Familiarity with industrial communications and basic network diagnostics
- Clear written and verbal communication for client liaison and documentation
Desirable
- Degree or HND in Electrical, Control, Electronic or Mechatronic Engineering or equivalent experience
- Formal vendor certifications (e.g. PLC/HMI vendor training) or professional memberships
- Experience with SCADA architecture, historian databases and alarm management
- Knowledge of functional safety standards (e.g. SIL, IEC 61508/61511) or safety PLC experience
- Experience with motion control, robotics or vision systems
- Scripting or automation experience (Python, SQL or similar) for data handling and reporting
What we offer
- Competitive salary — insert your range
- Pension scheme (as per employer policy)
- Allocated training and certification budget
- Annual leave allowance — insert details
- Discretionary performance bonus (if applicable)
- Company vehicle or mileage allowance for site visits (where applicable)
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Control Systems Engineer Job Description Template (Example) role?
Control Systems Engineers design, develop and implement automated control and instrumentation solutions that regulate equipment and processes in industrial settings. They produce functional specifications and control logic, program PLCs and HMIs, integrate SCADA and industrial networks, and lead testing and commissioning activities. The role combines office-based design work with site-based commissioning and requires strong electrical, networking and troubleshooting skills.
Core work
Design and implement PLC/HMI/SCADA solutions, write control logic and produce specifications.
On-site activity
Commissioning, FAT/SAT testing and hands-on troubleshooting at client sites.
Collaborative role
Work with project engineers, electrical designers, vendors and operations teams.
Typical sectors
Manufacturing, processing, utilities, water treatment and automation contractors.
Typical Control Systems Engineer Job Description Template (Example) responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Develop control system functional specifications
Develop control system functional specifications and detailed design documentation
Program
Program and configure PLCs, HMIs and associated I/O and instrumentation
Design
Design and implement HMI screens and SCADA interfaces to meet operator requirements
Create
Create and execute test plans: unit tests, integration tests, FAT and SAT
Commission systems on site
Commission systems on site, lead technical handovers and train operators/maintenance staff
Troubleshoot
Troubleshoot and resolve control, communication and instrumentation faults
Integrate industrial networks (Ethernet/IP
Integrate industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus and similar) and ensure robust communications
Collaborate with project engineers
Collaborate with project engineers, electrical designers and vendors to meet project timelines
Control Systems Engineer Job Description Template (Example) skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Practical experience programming industrial PLCs and developing HMI screens (experience with mainstream vendors expected)
- Proven track record of designing and commissioning industrial control systems
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams and I/O lists
- Experience performing FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) and SAT (Site Acceptance Test) activities
- Good fault‑finding skills with systematic approach to debugging control systems
- Familiarity with industrial communications and basic network diagnostics
- Clear written and verbal communication for client liaison and documentation
Useful where relevant
- Degree or HND in Electrical, Control, Electronic or Mechatronic Engineering or equivalent experience
- Formal vendor certifications (e.g. PLC/HMI vendor training) or professional memberships
- Experience with SCADA architecture, historian databases and alarm management
- Knowledge of functional safety standards (e.g. SIL, IEC 61508/61511) or safety PLC experience
- Experience with motion control, robotics or vision systems
- Scripting or automation experience (Python, SQL or similar) for data handling and reporting
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Control Systems Engineer Job Description Template (Example) job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be specific about platforms
List the PLC and HMI platforms, SCADA packages or communication protocols you use so candidates can self‑select.
Describe typical projects
Mention whether the role covers new-build projects, retrofits, or maintenance to attract the right experience.
Set expectations for travel and hours
State how often the role requires site visits, overnight stays or shift work to reduce unsuitable applications.
Separate essential from desirable
Keep the essentials limited to must‑have skills and move niche or nice‑to‑have technologies to the desirable section.
Control Systems Engineer Job Description Template (Example) salary considerations
Control Systems Engineer pay varies considerably. Instead of a single market figure, consider the factors below that typically influence salary and remuneration packages.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Control Systems Engineer Job Description Template (Example) candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
Which PLC/HMI/SCADA platforms will I be working with?
Experienced candidates need to know vendors and versions to assess compatibility with their skills.
What types of projects will I deliver?
Candidates want clarity on whether work is new build, brownfield upgrades, or support and maintenance.
How often is on‑site commissioning required?
Applicants need to understand travel frequency, overnight stays and whether out‑of‑hours work or shifts are typical.
What team and reporting structure will I join?
Knowing the size of the engineering team and who they report to helps candidates judge seniority and career progression.
What training and CPD do you provide?
Candidates often prioritise employers that support vendor training, safety courses and professional development.
Where to post a Control Systems Engineer Job Description Template (Example) job
Advertise this role across general UK job boards, specialist engineering and automation boards, and professional networks. Use LinkedIn and industry forums to reach experienced control engineers, and consider local technical colleges, apprenticeship networks or specialist recruiters for early‑career or contractor hires. Match the distribution to the sector and whether you need hands‑on commissioning experience or office‑based design expertise.
Control Systems Engineer Job Description Template (Example) job description FAQs
Is a degree essential for hiring a Control Systems Engineer?
A degree is common but not always essential. Many employers accept equivalent vocational qualifications plus demonstrable hands‑on experience. Make degree requirements optional if you want to widen the candidate pool and rely on technical assessments to confirm skills.
How should I assess technical competence in applications?
Use a combination of CV screening for relevant project experience, a technical questionnaire or short coding/programming task, and a practical interview with scenario‑based questions or a review of previous work.
Should I hire a contractor or permanent engineer?
Choose contractors for short-term commissioning peaks or specialist short projects; hire permanently when you need long‑term asset ownership, continuous improvement and institutional knowledge retention.
What notice period and availability should I ask for?
Ask candidates to state current notice periods and any upcoming commitments. For urgent projects, consider candidates who are immediately available or discuss phased start dates and handover arrangements.
When is vendor certification important?
Vendor certification matters when you rely heavily on a specific PLC/HMI platform or require guaranteed competency for safety‑critical systems; otherwise, practical experience and transferable skills are often more valuable.
Customise and publish this advert
Copy the short advert and the essential responsibilities into your vacancy listing, adjust the salary and location placeholders, and publish across the channels that match your sector. If you need broader exposure, consider specialist engineering job boards or a targeted job‑board advertising service.
