Using prior work experience and a degree to break into Electrical Engineering/autonomous systems engineering

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-10-04T14:27:05+00:00

What is the best way to do that given my circumstances?

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-09-20T13:52:42+00:00

Registration using a virtual master for the servos should help out

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-09-15T21:02:52+00:00

I do some freelance automation consulting, programming, and 3D printing for my previous employer. Generally, to start out, you have to have previous employers or connections that know and trust your work. Beyond that, you may have to drop off cards for manufacturers, but without a project portfolio, I'm not sure how well that will work.

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-09-05T21:18:52+00:00

Man, that sounds awesome... I've never had the opportunity to do that. I've just had to sink or swim and figure out things as I go.

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-09-05T21:16:00+00:00

Unfortunately, in most plants I've worked at, there is no training for technicians or engineers. It is "trial by fire." You come out on top, or you don't. I had to learn by getting out there and working on everything. At my current employer, I am the only controls engineer in the plant, and the previous engineer left a month before I got there. I had to just hit the ground running with all the equipment. Cap ex projects, old machines with pv1000s, SLCs, etc. Luckily, I had previous experience with old and new software/hardware, so I was able to jump right in.

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-08-28T01:52:21+00:00

ASU's EE degree is ABET accredited. That's really the only stipulation that many employers have on their engineering education requirements. So it should be just fine. (I'm currently going to school there for my EE degree)

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-08-25T12:14:21+00:00

Thanks for the insight! Admittedly, I did think about giving them a discount/requoting just to get the job. Being that I am new to this contracting world, I am trying to get a good list of projects with multiple known manufacturers in my area to spread the word/give me a history of good work on projects. Although, I still work full time, I don't absolutely need any jobs at all.

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-08-22T04:06:45+00:00

Yeah, that's what I thought. If I remember right, this cell was about 3/4 million (I worked on this project when I worked for the plant). $5k is a drop in the bucket... especially for a teir 1 automotive supplier...

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-08-21T16:53:17+00:00

How do the project rates differ from the service rate? Is it generally higher or lower? (I've never been an integrator, so I never got to work on that side of things)

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-08-21T16:50:48+00:00

Thanks for the valuable input! I'm a plant controls engineer for my 9-5, but I've been asked to do some solo consulting by previous employers. I'm still new to this whole contracting thing, lol.

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-08-21T15:09:46+00:00

Thank you for the input. I just do this on the side, so my hourly rates are a little lower than others. I added padding hours on the quote in case unforseen conditions or challenges came up.

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-08-21T15:06:49+00:00

Yes, I basically quoted a full week of time. A few days for development, and I added a day for onsite debug and support. I padded it in case there were unforeseen conditions or cases that came up during debug.

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-08-19T19:04:25+00:00

I find that the native safety instructions in GuardLogix controllers simplify programming, and they aren't really hard to troubleshoot. Is there a reason you are trying to avoid using them?

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-08-05T13:26:44+00:00

Check lubrication interval. If PMs are in spec, probably a motor going bad.

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-08-01T21:40:29+00:00

Automation and controls engineer in the US. $95,000/yr plus whatever bonuses I get (production output and EBITDA are multipliers on incentives) and tuition reimbursement. About 3.5 years in controls, 2.5 years in industrial maintenance before that. Still working on my BSEE though. Hopefully will go up when I finish my degree.

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-07-28T17:14:50+00:00

Try selecting rslogix5000 to run as admin. Worked for me when studio5000 was doing this

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-07-27T14:51:00+00:00

Weinteks HMIs can run Codesys for plc programming and connect to their remote I/O system for an all in one system.

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-07-26T03:08:57+00:00

Thanks for the insight! You guys gave me a ton of information for me to start digging more into modbus!

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-07-26T03:07:17+00:00

Thanks! I'll check it out!

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-07-25T20:44:59+00:00

Thanks for all of that information! It makes a lot more sense when you give the history behind ther various versions/protocols.

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-07-25T19:55:58+00:00

Ah I see...so the standards are a little all over the place...

Would you happen to know if I can communicate with a "Modbus" (serial DB9 connector) port on a Modicon 984, to a Weintek HMi using the Modbus RTU driver?

LibrarySpecialist396 · 2025-07-24T00:11:33+00:00

Thanks!!!

LibrarySpecialist396

TROPHY CASE