How to become an Automation Engineer?

In the present world where technology plays a major role in every sector and makes life easygoing, the automation system has attracted all the spotlight. In this era of technical upgradation, Automation engineering has emerged as a promising career option for those interested in technology and programming. Automated engineers design, build, implement, and maintain automated systems and operations to increase efficiency and productivity in various industries. It’s a field that welcomes innovation and changes and provides immense growth opportunities. This article invites all aspiring engineers to understand Automation Engineering in detail as a career option.

design, build, implement, and maintain

What is Automation Engineering?

Automation engineering focuses on designing, building, developing, and maintaining an automated system and process that requires minimum manual handling and operation. It combines the concepts of various fields like Programming, Automation Technologies, Electrical engineering, Robotic engineering, and Mechanical engineering to develop an automated system that can be operated with minimal human interventions. The primary goal of automation engineering is to increase efficiency and productivity by reducing the reliability of manpower and manual systems.

Who are Automation Engineers?

Automation engineers are professionals specialized in designing, developing, implementing, and maintaining an automated system that aims to increase efficiency and save time plus effort. They are technical and programming experts who integrate different components and concepts of various engineering fields to build an automated operation system. Automation engineers identify technical opportunities, develop software programs to run the automated system, implement programs, conduct functionality tests, address troubleshooting, and look after maintenance and improvement of the automated system.

How to Become an Automation Engineer in India?

To become an Automation engineer you should earn educational degrees and technical training mentioned below:

Educational Background

• Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Obtaining a traditional Bachelor’s degree in the field of engineering offers a solid foundation in mathematics, physics, programming, and engineering principles. Some relevant degrees to become an automation engineer include a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other related fields.
• Consider a Master’s Degree (Optional): It is always suggested to go for a master’s degree in Automation engineering or related fields to conquer a specialized position as it strengthens your knowledge and skill in this field and provides better career opportunities.

Essential Skills

• Programming Skills: Expertise in any of the given programming languages like Python, Java, and C++ is essential for developing and running the program and code required to control the automated system.
• Automation Software: Knowledge of automation technologies like PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, HMIs (Human-Machine Interfaces), robotics, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices help automation engineers understand and maintain the control system.
• Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Fundamentals: A solid understanding of mechanical and electrical engineering principles and fundamentals enables automation engineers to design and troubleshoot automated systems.
• Data Management: Knowledge of data collection and data analysis is essential as automation is all about playing with databases and data analysis tools.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Identifying and acknowledging problems along with offering innovative solutions is an essential skill required to troubleshoot any issues arising in the automation field.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication skills are important for project completion as automation engineers collaborate with other engineers, developers, and professionals in this aspect. Efficient teamwork and successful information sharing are a result of good communication.
• Analytical Skills: Critical thinking and analytical approaches help engineers analyze data, identify areas for improvement, and implement control systems.

Experience and Development

• Internships: Internships in automation-specialized companies or related industries impart practical experience and real-world knowledge of automation projects.
• Projects and Workshops: Working on personal projects and attending workshops on automation, robotics, or control systems provides a better understanding and practical experience.
• Certifications: Earning certifications in automation technologies such as PLC programming, SCADA systems, Robotics, or Engineering Principles enhance your expertise in this field.

Automation Engineer Salary

The average salary of an entry-level automation engineer in India is between ₹4 to ₹6 lakhs per annum, however, an experienced automation engineer can make up to ₹12 Lakhs per annum. It should be noted that the salary of an automation engineer varies according to the experience, location, economic conditions, and the specific industry.

Region	Entry Level	Mid-Level	Senior Level
United States	$60,000 – $90,000	$90,000 – $120,000	$120,000 – $150,000
United Kingdom	£25,000 – £40,000	£40,000 – £60,000	£60,000 – £80,000
Canada	C$60,000 – C$80,000	C$80,000 – C$100,000	C$100,000 – C$120,000
Australia	AU$60,000 – AU$80,000	AU$80,000 – AU$100,000	AU$100,000 – AU$130,000
Germany	€45,000 – €60,000	€60,000 – €80,000	€80,000 – €100,000
India	₹400,000 – ₹600,000	₹600,000 – ₹900,000	₹900,000 – ₹1,200,000
Singapore	SGD 50,000 – SGD 70,000	SGD 70,000 – SGD 90,000	SGD 90,000 – SGD 120,000
Japan	¥4,000,000 – ¥6,000,000	¥6,000,000 – ¥9,000,000	¥9,000,000 – ¥12,000,000

Best Colleges to Study Automation Engineering

Institution	Location	NIRF Ranking	Approx. Fee (per annum)	Avg. Placement
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM)	Chennai	1	₹2,00,000 -₹3,00,000	₹8,00,000 -₹12,00,000
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD)	Delhi	2	₹2,00,000 -₹3,00,000	₹8,00,000 – ₹12,00,000
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB)	Mumbai	3	₹2,00,000 -₹3,00,000	₹8,00,000 – ₹12,00,000
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK)	Kanpur	4	₹2,00,000 -₹3,00,000	₹8,00,000 – ₹12,00,000
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IITKGP)	Kharagpur	5	₹2,00,000 -₹3,00,000	₹8,00,000 – ₹12,00,000
Delhi Technological University (DTU)	Delhi	8	₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000	₹6,00,000 – ₹9,00,000
National Institute of Technology Surathkal (NIT Surathkal)	Mangalore	10	₹1,50,000 – ₹2,50,000	₹5,00,000 – ₹8,00,000
Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)	Vellore	12	₹2,00,000 -₹3,00,000	₹5,00,000 – ₹8,00,000
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS Pilani)	Pilani	15	₹3,00,000 -₹4,00,000	₹6,00,000 – ₹10,00,000
PSG College of Technology	Coimbatore	20	₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000	₹4,00,000 -₹6,00,000

Job Role and Career Opportunities

Some prominent career opportunities include:

• Automation Engineer: Design, develop, implement, and maintain automated systems and processes across various industries to increase efficiency and reduce human intervention.
• Control Systems Engineer: Design and implement control systems including PLCs, SCADA systems, and DCS (Distributed Control Systems) for effective automated processes.
• Robotics Engineer: design, program, and integrate robotic systems for automation applications to improve quality and efficiency in the areas of manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.
• Instrumentation Engineer: Designs and maintains instruments like sensors, actuators, and measurement devices to control automated processes.
• Manufacturing Engineer: Design and implement the automated process in the field of manufacturing to increase efficiency, quality, and productivity along with saving time and effort.
• Quality Assurance Engineer: Implementing automated systems to meet quality standards through testing, validation, and improving measures.
• Field Service Engineer: Develop on-site support, troubleshooting, and maintenance systems for automated processes to meet regulatory standards.
• Executive Leader: An experienced automation engineer serves the position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Vice President of Engineering, or Director of Automation.
• Entrepreneurship: Some automation engineers can opt to become innovative entrepreneurs by establishing their own automation consulting firms, software development companies, or robotics startups.

Industry Trends in Automation Engineering

Hyperautomation: This means applying automation in every aspect of organizations to create a whole automated system. This includes the application of automation right from manufacturing to customer service to supply chain management.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gained everyone’s attention and has become a major part of various aspects including data analysis, identifying areas of improvement, interpreting sensor results, automation in code generation, and software testing.

Cybersecurity Concerns: With technological advancement, the risk of cybercrime is also increasing. With the application of automation in all aspects, engineers should be aware of increasing cyber risk and implement robust security measures to strengthen cybersecurity.

5G Connectivity: The 5G network has enabled faster data transfer that ensures improvement in efficiency and productivity. The 5G data transfer plays a crucial role in real-time automation applications.

Importance of Traditional Skills: Despite all technical improvements and automation, the importance of traditional engineering like mechanics, electrical engineering, and programming is unbeatable. These serve as a core foundation of technological development.

Bridging the Skills Gap: Automation engineering has highlighted the importance of continuous learning and skill development. Various training programs are developed to reduce the gap between the skills needed and the skills available in the workforce.

Conclusion

Automation engineering has emerged as an exciting career choice that invites challenges with innovations. If you are someone who is interested in technology, innovation and programming, then with right education, training and skill development you can easily build your career in automation engineering. Along with an opportunity to grow, this field also offers a good starting salary of ₹ 4Lakhs at least. Further, experience in this field help engineers to make their contribution in the world of technologies by introducing new techniques of automation.

How to become an Automation Engineer- FAQs

What qualifications do I need to become an automation engineer?

Typically, a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field is required to become an automation engineer. Specialized courses or certifications in automation technologies may also be beneficial.

How can I gain practical experience in automation engineering?

You can gain practical experience through internships, co-op programs, or entry-level positions with companies that specialize in automation or related industries.

Are certifications important in automation engineering?

Certifications offered by organizations like the International Society of Automation (ISA) can validate your expertise and make you a more attractive candidate. However, they are not mandatory for entry-level positions.

How can I stay updated on developments in automation engineering?

You can stay updated by reading industry publications, attending conferences, participating in online forums and communities, taking continuing education courses, and networking with professionals in the field.