Electrical and controls engineering are two career paths helping shape the future of manufacturing, automation, energy, and industrial operations. As organizations continue investing in smarter systems and more efficient processes, demand remains strong for engineers with the right technical and problem-solving skills.
If you’re exploring how to become a controls engineer—or considering a career in electrical engineering—the process may feel complex at first. The good news is that both paths follow a similar foundation: education, hands-on experience, and continued skill development.
This guide breaks down what electrical and controls engineers do, the skills employers look for, and the steps you can take to start building your career.
What do Electrical and Controls Engineers Do?
Although the roles often overlap, electrical and controls engineers support different aspects of engineering operations.
Electrical Engineer Responsibilities
Electrical engineers design, develop, and improve electrical systems used in industrial, commercial, and manufacturing environments. Their work may involve everything from equipment selection to testing and system reliability.
Common responsibilities include:
- Designing electrical systems and layouts
- Creating electrical schematics and documentation
- Supporting installation and commissioning
- Troubleshooting equipment performance
- Performing testing and validation
- Improving system safety and efficiency
Electrical engineers may work in industries such as manufacturing, utilities, construction, automotive, aerospace, or energy.
Controls Engineer Responsibilities
Controls engineers focus on how systems operate and communicate. Their goal is often to improve performance through automation, monitoring, and process optimization.
Typical responsibilities of a controls engineer include:
- Developing and maintaining automated systems
- Programming PLCs and control logic
- Configuring HMI and SCADA interfaces
- Integrating equipment and production systems
- Diagnosing automation issues
- Improving process efficiency and uptime
If you enjoy combining electrical concepts with programming and problem-solving, controls engineering jobs can offer a highly dynamic career path.
Understanding these day-to-day differences can help determine which engineering direction best aligns with your interests and strengths.
Earn the Right Education and Technical Foundation
For most professionals, becoming an electrical or controls engineer starts with formal education.
A bachelor’s degree remains the most common path, particularly in:
- Electrical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering Technology
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Automation Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Related engineering specialties
Coursework typically includes:
- Circuit analysis
- Electrical systems
- Programming fundamentals
- Instrumentation
- Control theory
- Robotics
- Automation technologies
Students interested in controls engineering often begin in electrical engineering programs and later develop more specialized automation experience through electives, internships, or project work.
While a degree establishes the technical fundamentals, employers still want to see how well candidates can apply that knowledge in practical environments. That means learning extends well beyond the classroom.
Build Technical Skills That Employers Look For
Engineering hiring managers often look for candidates who demonstrate both technical capability and the ability to contribute across teams.
Developing a well-rounded skill set can help accelerate your growth and improve long-term career opportunities.
Core Technical Engineering Skills
Top engineering candidates frequently build experience in areas such as:
- PLC programming
- Industrial automation systems
- Human Machine Interface (HMI) development
- SCADA systems
- Electrical schematics and design
- CAD and engineering software
- Control systems integration
- Equipment troubleshooting
- Data analysis and diagnostics
Controls engineers, in particular, benefit from understanding both hardware and software interactions within complex systems.
Professional & Soft Skills
Technical expertise matters—but professional and soft skills often separate strong engineering candidates from those who advance into larger projects and leadership opportunities.
Employers increasingly look for engineers who can not only solve technical problems but also collaborate effectively and adapt in fast-moving environments.
Key professional and soft skills in engineering include:
- Problem solving and critical thinking
- Analytical decision-making
- Project coordination and organization
- Collaboration across teams and departments
- Written and verbal communication
- Time management and prioritization
- Adaptability and continuous learning
- Attention to detail
- Leadership qualities
- Decision-making under pressure
Electrical and controls engineers frequently work alongside operations teams, project managers, technicians, clients, and leadership stakeholders. Being able to communicate technical concepts clearly and contribute within cross-functional teams can be just as valuable as technical proficiency.
Developing these skills early can strengthen long-term career growth and create opportunities beyond entry-level engineering roles.
Ways to Stand Out Early in Your Engineering Career
Entry-level controls engineering and electrical engineering roles often reward initiative just as much as academic achievement. If you’re looking to stand out, it’s important to:
- Document projects and outcomes
- Build a portfolio of technical work
- Highlight measurable improvements
- Gain exposure to real production environments
- Seek opportunities to collaborate across disciplines
Showing how you approach problems and apply technical knowledge as an engineering graduate can make a meaningful difference during the hiring process.
Gain Hands-On Experience Before Applying
One of the most effective ways to stand out in engineering hiring processes is to gain practical experience before entering the workforce.
Hands-on exposure helps reinforce classroom concepts while giving employers confidence in your ability to contribute quickly.
Opportunities may include:
- Internships
- Co-op programs
- University engineering labs
- Senior design projects
- Manufacturing experience
- Automation competitions
- Independent technical projects
Engineering students interested in controls engineering can also benefit from experimenting with PLC logic, system simulations, or automation platforms outside of coursework.
Understand Career Growth and Long-Term Opportunities
Electrical and controls engineering offer strong long-term career potential with opportunities to specialize or move into leadership positions.
A typical electrical engineering progression may look like:
Electrical Engineer → Senior Electrical Engineer → Lead Engineer → Engineering Manager
Controls engineering growth often follows paths such as:
Controls Engineer → Automation Engineer → Senior Controls Engineer → Controls Manager → Operations Leadership
These careers support a wide range of industries, including:
- Manufacturing
- Food and beverage production
- Automotive
- Energy
- Industrial processing
- Technology and automation
As organizations continue investing in modernization and operational efficiency, professionals who combine technical depth with adaptability remain highly valuable.
Building strong foundational skills early creates flexibility for future career decisions.
Take the Next Step Toward an Electrical or Controls Engineering Career
Learning how to become a controls engineer—or how to become an electrical engineer—requires more than earning a degree. Today’s employers are looking for candidates who combine technical knowledge with hands-on experience, adaptability, and strong professional skills.
Whether you’re entering the workforce or planning your next career move, understanding what hiring teams value can help you make more informed decisions and position yourself for long-term success.
At Austin Nichols, we work closely with engineering professionals and organizations across technical industries and understand what drives successful placements and career growth.
If you’re exploring opportunities in electrical or controls engineering, connect with Austin Nichols today to learn more about current openings and insights into today’s engineering job market.
