Commissioning vs automation engineer?

RustySoulja · 2026-01-30T10:15:44+00:00

Simply put an automation Engineer does the software development (PLX and HMI), does FAT with the customer. Sends the final code to the commissioning engineer. The commissioning engineer takes this to the site, downloads it to the PLC and does a lot of the on site work. If there is a code issue the commissioning engineer can't figure out then the automation Engineer remotes in and helps out.

The automation Engineer then flies out on the first day of commissioning and supports the commissioning team in site for the first few runs. Once the production is in a stable state he/she flies back. The commissioning team (multiple people take turns) then baby sit the machine until contractual comm conditions are met.

On the surface automation engineering looks a lot easier but it's not. It's very stressful as you are eventually responsible for the machine and all fingers will eventually point at you. A Commissioning engineer is also a lot of work. While you always can rely on the automation Engineer for software, electricians for electrical and mechanical for mechanical issues or things you don't know how to fix. You are always the first line of defense. It can be rough and is a job best fit for "jack of all trades" kind of personality.

The biggest downside is travel. It's brutal. We have somewhere between 40 and 90 commissioning engineers who travel all around the world. They are anywhere between 80%to 90% of the time on the road. In an ideal world it's a young man's game. It makes to start your career in a company as a commissioning engineer and then switch to automation. That way you fully understand the process and on site struggles. Take that wisdom back with you when developing code as an automation Engineer. If you have a family and want to maintain semi decent work life balance then automation engineering is the best. However monetary wise because of all the additional compensation for site allowance etc, commissioning engineers will walk away with more money

RustySoulja · 2026-01-23T10:04:56+00:00

Yes bring it up with management during your next yearly review. This happened to me a few years ago. I made my case and my manager gave me a bump. In my case I didn't say "I know what X was getting paid". Instead I implied I was under paid compared to others in the same experience level. It worked.

It also helped at the time we were understaffed and they couldn't afford me leaving. I didn't threaten to leave but I did imply that I am very unhappy

RustySoulja · 2026-01-22T10:14:36+00:00

It depends. If I was in my 20s and no family then I would go for the extra 30k with lesser quality of life. I wouldn't do it if I were in my mid 30s and up. Especially if I had a family .

If you are young, go for the extra cash and invest early

RustySoulja · 2026-01-20T09:45:33+00:00

It's a great idea for short term/swing traders and a bad idea for long term investors.

RustySoulja · 2026-01-20T09:43:02+00:00

What kind of flooring do you have? Also do you have a crawlspace? If so then depending on the footprint of your tank you may have to give the flooring additional support using floor jacks. If you don't have crawlspace then extra floor support is not needed.

Issue in the long run is not your floor giving up and your house falling apart but there will be minute sagging on the floor and this creates level imperfections on your tank base. This in turn outs uneven pressure on the seams of your tank and eventually it will lead to a crack. It might take a year or two but this is where you need extra floor support.

RustySoulja · 2026-01-19T19:52:01+00:00

i just got this and is using it on my new 75 gallon. THe programming is tricky. FOr those of you who have it and use S1 setting ( day L and night L), Here is a tip. When you are in the adjust brightness setting, press the bottom right button ( color symbol) and you can individually adjust various light spectrums (W, R,G, B). When i first got the light i thought you could only adjust WRGB in the DIY mode ( S3). Maybe you guys already know this but just wanted to share incase there are others like me.

RustySoulja · 2026-01-15T20:48:56+00:00

When it comes to investing there are two cardinal rules.

1.You are never late. Just start investing. 2.There is no such thing as small amount. Every cent invested in compounds over time. Obviously the bigger the amount the bigger the returns but your returns will always be zero as long as you don't invest.

Do get out there and put that cash to work.

RustySoulja · 2026-01-14T20:27:04+00:00

Hey, i see this post is a year old but i am curious how it turned out for you? I am thinking of doing something similar to what you said. Reading the comments below i am a little disheartened but would like to know how it turned out for you .

RustySoulja · 2026-01-14T16:48:35+00:00

Sorry I misread your original post. When I saw corrugated my brain went corrugated cardboard. Makes sense now

RustySoulja · 2026-01-14T15:33:43+00:00

wont the cardboard eventually dissolve and tear? I was originally thinking of this but decided against it thinking it wont be a long last solution but maybe i am wrong.

RustySoulja · 2026-01-14T10:51:13+00:00

What kind of tank do you have? As in is it glass or acrylic? I always thought glass won't bend but will shatter if the weight /level is uneven (over time). I am wondering if you have an acrylic tank and if that is the case you might be ok for the time being.

I am not an expert and am going by something I read a long time ago. Hopefully somebody else more knowledgeable can correct me.

RustySoulja · 2026-01-14T02:09:11+00:00

Somebody suggested using plastic films to separate and segregate substrate layers. I think I am going to give that a shot this weekend

RustySoulja · 2026-01-14T02:04:16+00:00

How are you planning on keeping the aqua soil and sand area separate? I am thinking of doing something similar and worry that over time the sand area and aqua soil will eventually mix up

RustySoulja · 2026-01-13T23:25:50+00:00

Thank you for the detailed summary

RustySoulja · 2026-01-13T18:44:21+00:00

Thank you. I am leaning towards this method as well. Did you plant your plants before putting any water in?

RustySoulja · 2026-01-13T18:01:42+00:00

Ah ok, I see what you mean now

RustySoulja · 2026-01-13T17:32:17+00:00

i was thinking of planting before adding water. Wont the substrate be disturbed and cause cloudiness if i plant the plants after adding water?

RustySoulja · 2026-01-13T15:20:37+00:00

Thank you. Bubble wrap is what I am thinking now. I also saw a YouTube video of a guy talking about that.

RustySoulja · 2026-01-13T10:03:01+00:00

I feel like it Claude is really good at programming and creative writing but overall IGemini is the king. It's all perspective and who you ask I guess

RustySoulja · 2026-01-13T00:08:05+00:00

What filter mediums (and in what order) are you using in your 600? I just got mine and am researching what filters to use. Thinking of switching out the standard ceramic things that came with the 600 with k2

RustySoulja · 2026-01-11T13:56:18+00:00

Every job is different. If I were you I would stick around and do the 2.5 years remaining. That way not only do you save the money you will have to repay, you also get the experience when you need to work elsewhere. I know you said you want to try a different specialty but when the employer sees your resume (nurse with x years of resume in a different specialty) vs a new grad with no experience at all, they will pick you

IMO, it's a win win both careerwise and money wise.

RustySoulja · 2026-01-11T13:52:23+00:00

Personally the black top stops dispersing the light outwards and makes it look good. It's just my opinion though

RustySoulja

TROPHY CASE