Automation Engineer Science & Engineering Professionals
SaveWhat Does an Automation Engineer Do?
Automation engineers research, design, and develop applications and systems for the automation of the production process. They implement technology and reduce, whenever applicable, human input to reach the full potential of industrial robotics. Automation engineers oversee the process and ensure all systems run safely and smoothly.
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Where Do I Start?
Control Engineering
Subdiscipline of engineering that focuses on controlling the behaviour of systems through the use of sensors and actuators.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become an Automation Engineer
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialControl Engineering knowledge
Subdiscipline of engineering that focuses on controlling the behaviour of systems through the use of sensors and actuators.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialEngineering Processes knowledge
The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialMechatronics knowledge
Multidisciplinary field of engineering that combines principles of electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, control engineering, computer engineering, and mechanical engineering in the design of products and manufacturing processes. The combination of …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAutomation Technology knowledge
Set of technologies that make a process, system, or apparatus operate automatically through the use of control systems.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialComputer Engineering knowledge
Engineering discipline that combines computer science with electrical engineering to develop computer hardware and software. Computer engineering occupies itself with electronics, software design, and the integration of hardware and software.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialEngineering Principles knowledge
The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
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EssentialIndustrial Engineering knowledge
The field of engineering concerned with the development, improvement, and implementation of complex processes and systems of knowledge, people, equipment, etc.
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EssentialTechnical Drawings knowledge
Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
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EssentialDesign Drawings knowledge
Understand design drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialElectrical Engineering knowledge
Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialElectronics knowledge
The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialManufacturing Processes knowledge
The steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.
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EssentialMathematics knowledge
Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove …
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EssentialMechanical Engineering knowledge
Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPhysics knowledge
The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialProduction Processes knowledge
Materials and techniques required in the production and distribution processes.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAdjust Engineering Designs skill
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse Test Data skill
Interpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApprove Engineering Design skill
Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
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EssentialConduct Literature Research skill
Conduct a comprehensive and systematic research of information and publications on a specific topic. Present a comparative evaluative literature summary.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialConduct Quality Control Analysis skill
Conduct inspections and tests of services, processes, or products to evaluate quality.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDefine Technical Requirements skill
Specify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied according to customer requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDesign Prototypes skill
Design prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDevelop Electronic Test Procedures skill
Develop testing protocols to enable a variety of analyses of electronic systems, products, and components.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialGather Technical Information skill
Apply systematic research methods and communicate with relevant parties in order to find specific information and evaluate research results to assess the information's relevance, relating technical systems and developments.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor Manufacturing Quality Standards skill
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EssentialPerform Scientific Research skill
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Production Prototypes skill
Prepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRecord Test Data skill
Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialReport Analysis Results skill
Produce research documents or give presentations to report the results of a conducted research and analysis project, indicating the analysis procedures and methods which led to the results, as well …
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EssentialUse Technical Drawing Software skill
Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDesign Automation Components skill
Design engineering parts, assemblies, products, or systems that contribute to the automation of industrial machines.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDevelop Mechatronic Test Procedures skill
Develop testing protocols to enable a variety of analyses of mechatronic systems, products, and components.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 33 displayed)
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OptionalMicroelectromechanical Systems knowledge
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are miniaturised electromechanical systems made using processes of microfabrication. MEMS consist of microsensors, microactuators, microstructures, and microelectronics. MEMS can be used in a range of appliances, such …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalMicroelectronics knowledge
Microelectronics is a subdiscipline of electronics and relates the study, design, and manufacture of small electronic components, such as microchips.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalRobotics knowledge
The branch of engineering that involves the design, operation, manufacture, and application of robots. Robotics is part of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science and overlaps with mechatronics and …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalCae Software knowledge
The software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.
Recommended Books
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OptionalElectromechanics knowledge
The engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that create electricity by mechanical …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalFirmware knowledge
Firmware is a software program with a read-only memory (ROM) and a set of instructions that is permanently inscribed on a hardware device. Firmware is commonly used in electronic systems …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalQuality Standards knowledge
The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalBuild Business Relationships skill
Establish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the organisation and its objectives.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCommunicate With Customers skill
Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCoordinate Engineering Teams skill
Plan, coordinate and supervise engineering activities together with engineers and engineering technicians. Ensure clear and effective channels of communication across all departments. Make sure the team is aware of the …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Technical Plans skill
Create detailed technical plans of machinery, equipment, tools and other products.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDefine Manufacturing Quality Criteria skill
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OptionalDesign Firmware skill
Design the appropriate firmware to a specific electronic system.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Product Design skill
Convert market requirements into product design and development.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDraft Bill Of Materials skill
Set up a list of materials, components, and assemblies as well as the quantities needed to manufacture a certain product.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalExamine Engineering Principles skill
Analyse the principles that need to be considered for engineering designs and projects such as functionality, replicability, costs and other principles.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFollow Safety Standards In Industrial Contexts skill
Abide by safety procedures and standards for industrial contexts, mostly where machinery is involved.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInstall Hardware skill
Assemble the necessary hardware components, such as the motherboard, Central Processing Unit (CPU), hard drive, disk drive, power supply unit, RAM, PCI card, mouse, keyboard, cameras and other necessary components …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInstall Software skill
Install machine-readable instructions, such as computer programs, in order to direct the computer's processor to perform a certain set of actions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Control Systems For Automated Equipment skill
Check, maintain and repair electrical and electronic elements. Check and update software of automated equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Safe Engineering Watches skill
Observe principles in keeping an engineering watch. Take over, accept and hand over a watch. Perform routine duties undertaken during a watch. Maintain the machinery space logs and the significance …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMonitor Automated Machines skill
Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Project Management skill
Manage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Resource Planning skill
Estimate the expected input in terms of time, human and financial resources necessary to achieve the project objectives.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Test Run skill
Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProgram Firmware skill
Program permanent software with a read-only memory (ROM) on a hardware device, such as an integrated circuit.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProvide Technical Documentation skill
Prepare documentation for existing and upcoming products or services, describing their functionality and composition in such a way that it is understandable for a wide audience without technical background and …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalReplace Machines skill
Evaluate when to invest in replacing machines or machine tools and take the necessary actions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSet Up Automotive Robot skill
Set up and programme an automotive robot working on machine processes and substituting or collaboratively supporting human labour, such as the six-axis automotive robot.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Cad Software skill
Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Cam Software skill
Use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWrite Routine Reports skill
Compose routine reports; identify appropriate forms or documents to record data from manual inspections and/or electronic systems. Write clear observations as required. A written report is usually a summary of …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInstall Automation Components skill
Install the automation components according to the specifications of the circuit diagram.
Course recommendations coming soon.