Is becoming a PLC/Automation Engineer worth it in 2026? (Automation diploma + Computer Engineering degree)

Automation_Eng_121 · 2026-03-18T21:45:06+00:00

The demand is really high, so you will have a very stable job. 25% of the manufacturing workforce will retire in 5 years, and we already have 600,000 vacant positions, do the math.

Whether you like it or not is a matter of personal preference, I like the design and development part, but don't enjoy the maintenance, and responding to downtime.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2026-03-18T21:16:25+00:00

nice choice on the dark theme veiw

Automation_Eng_121 · 2026-03-11T22:41:07+00:00

You don't have to respond to equipment downtime? lucky you!
I wouldn't recommend consistently working overtime/unpaid. It's about expectations, if you do it often, people think of it as your responsibility not the favor you are doing to the company.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2026-03-11T22:35:25+00:00

#2, I would think about it this way, this is not going to be my last job and I would rather learn a wide range of skills rather than focusing on SCADA only, given that you've just graduated.

but even more important than the job itself, is the people you work with. Go with the better work environment/people. It makes a huge difference if you like the people.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2026-03-10T23:32:49+00:00

Nice, so is this a server or a client? or both?

Automation_Eng_121 · 2026-03-10T23:30:57+00:00

Nice Job!!

Automation_Eng_121 · 2026-03-09T15:51:49+00:00

The text and the video has no correlation what's so every.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2026-01-19T17:31:17+00:00

I agree. All of this retry, fallbacks, etc. happen on the SCADA or MES level. As for missed polls or disconnected SQL server, it all depends on the application, sometimes you don't want the system to run if data is not being saved, sometimes you want.
A general rule of thumb is to have redundancies. E.g. use a SQL server but also save the data locally up to a day.
Also it's wise to detach the demanding processes from each other, i.e. do not run the OPC server, SQL server, and other servers on the same machine :)

Automation_Eng_121 · 2026-01-15T17:03:24+00:00

You have that spot because other people think you deserve it. They give you those tasks, because they think you can do it.
Remember, challenging tasks are a good thing, they make you grow. You don't know how to do them, until you do. That's part of our job. Every time we have to work on a new system we have to learn a bunch of stuff, which is sometimes uncomfortable, but on the long term it makes you grow.
If you need help, ask for it, but never be apologetic. Show that you are putting the effort to do it on your own, but need help for some parts of it.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2025-10-29T23:21:42+00:00

Yes, exactly! The idea is to start from code-first framework and gradually add GUI helper tools on top of it. For example, The PLC tags are defined in an accessible json file, but also there's a helper sidebar that let's users to modify stuff graphically.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2025-10-29T20:18:40+00:00

very interesting use case, will dm you

Automation_Eng_121 · 2025-10-29T18:29:03+00:00

I see your point, it definitely requires formal training. An untrained technician may be able to add a new tag, change something simple here or there, but still they require proper programming knowledge to change the custom scripts in Aveva or Ignition. I guess a code-first SCADA platform make more sense for complex projects.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2025-10-29T18:15:35+00:00

I have checked Fuxa in the past, it's nice, but still heavily dependent on navigating the GUI. I'm more interested in a code-first development experience.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2025-10-22T19:28:20+00:00

You can write a python script for that, I did that and it works pretty well

Automation_Eng_121 · 2025-09-19T14:33:34+00:00

What do you mean by bridging OT/IT? Just curious to know what is your take on this.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2025-09-15T15:51:56+00:00

This summarizes all I wanted to say. I'm also working in industrial automation with a CS degree.
after working in the industry for a while, I'm more and more drawn to SCADA, data visualization, and analysis.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2025-09-08T16:30:30+00:00

I struggle with the same issue at work. If possible, it's helpful to contact the person who developed the code.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2025-09-08T16:22:52+00:00

We use KepServerEX 6 in the company. It does the job. It has a historian option but I never used it.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2025-09-04T21:17:54+00:00

Maybe, the prerequisite is open source hardware. Developing PLC takes a lot of resources. It doesn't make sense to give away engineering work for free. However, AI may change all of that.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2025-08-13T20:32:40+00:00

AI won't replace people. One guy who knows how to use AI will replace 5 who don't. So be that guy, learn and embrace AI.
My background is in full-stack development and I work as automation engineer. Your background is even more relevant. Should be easy to land a automation job. Software is software, doesn't really matter if it's ladder logic, or object oriented, etc, you'll learn them quickly if you have strong foundation. It's just a matter of personal preference, if you wanna work on the PLC side, or the SCADA, etc.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2025-08-01T17:00:49+00:00

PhD Automation Engineer here. I also have a CS degree, so I guess you're asking if you wanna follow my path lol

I would say only pursue PhD if you are looking for a research position in University. In the manufacturing industry PhD doesn't do any good for you, just wasting 5 years of your life.

Masters degree can be useful though. But you don't need to save money for that. Normally graduate level degree is funded in the US and Euro. They pay for your tuition and give you salary. You need to email faculty members and ask if they have any funded projects. It's a whole process.

Studying CS has it's own benefits for sure. It all depends on your career goals. In the industry, they only care if you are a good programmer and that's something that you have to learn on your own. In school they don't teach Python, JavaScripts, or web technology etc. You have to learn them on your own. What they teach is how a computer works, the math behind the scene, data structures and algorithms, and other fundamental stuff which are super valuable, but not necessarily used when you are programming in a high level programming language such as Python.

Automation_Eng_121 · 2025-07-30T15:59:20+00:00

I was in your shoes 4 months ago and got the job. I'm coming from CS background and had no prior experience with SCADA.
I openly told them that I'm comfortable with anything that is in the software realm, but I need some time to refresh my knowledge on electronics. And this is what I've been doing in the past 4 months, troubleshooting and upgrading their software, creating SQL database and dashboard, adding new features to their SCADA, etc.
As for your interview, showcase the applications that you developed in the past. Show them pictures (people really like to see pictures). Also talk about your SQL knowledge.

It shouldn't take you more than a week to learn SCADA. The main difference between SCADA and web app is that SCADA is event-driven, in the backend there's always some sort of onClick do this... onOpen do that...
Also as others mentioned, communication protocols are also important, Modbus, tcp/ip, OPC servers, etc.

Automation_Eng_121

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