AUTOMATION CONTROLS ENGINEER COVER LETTER TEMPLATE

The Automation Controls Engineer provides design support and programming for PLCs, motion controls, and vision applications, contributing to the implementation of new equipment and technologies in manufacturing operations. Supports the qualification of equipment and generation of IQ/OQ/PQ protocols, ensuring the safety, financial, and technical success of projects within cost and time constraints. Complies with company safety procedures, maintains standards in a regulated environment, and conducts all activities with integrity and professional competence.

An Introduction to Professional Skills and Functions for Automation Controls Engineer with a Cover Letter

1. Details for Sr. Automation Controls Engineer Cover Letter

  • Design electrical controls systems for complex industrial equipment and/or process 
  • Control of electrical, chemical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems in accordance with applicable standards.
  • Program, maintain, and troubleshoot Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), communication networks, and distributed I/O systems.
  • Design control panels, instrumentation panels, electrical diagrams, P&ID, and other complex electrical drawings.
  • Perform PLC/HMI programming following internal standards, based on modular programming standards, driving consistent standards and overall quality.
  • Lead to coordinate engineering activities within overall project team.
  • Inspection of electrical controls panels, ensuring accurate design, assembly, and quality
  • Perform pre-installation checkout of overall controls solution: Control Panels, PLC/HMI, Drives, SCADA system, and other project deliverables/dependencies.
  • Perform start-up services in customer facilities and perform post-installation support
  • Assist in writing operator’s manuals, sequence of operations, and other documentation 


Skills: Electrical Control System Design, System Control Compliance, PLC/HMI/VFD Maintenance, Electrical Drawing Design, Modular PLC Programming, Engineering Team Leadership, Panel Inspection & Quality, Installation Support & Documentation

2. Roles for Automation and Controls Engineer Cover Letter

  • Provide design support and programming for PLCs, motion control, vision applications.
  • Provide the necessary engineering support and services to the plant and in general to achieve organizational plant goals.
  • Participate in the design, build and, installation of new equipment and technologies to the manufacturing operation.
  • Support the qualification of equipment and generation of IQ/OQ/PQ protocols.
  • Managing the cost and time constraints of projects.
  • Contribute to the organization and planning of the engineering department.
  • Ensure the safety, financial, and technical success of all projects and work assigned
  • Comply with company safety procedures and provide timely and detailed status updates
  • Conduct oneself with integrity and professional competence
  • Ensure standards are maintained in a highly regulated, process-driven environment


Skills: PLC Design & Programming, Engineering Support Services, Equipment Design, Build, & Installation, Equipment Qualification Support, Project Cost & Time Management, Engineering Department Organization, Project Safety & Success Assurance, Compliance & Integrity Maintenance

3. Responsibilities for Automation & Controls Engineer Cover Letter

  • Design machine controls and provide engineering design support for multiple product lines of food processing machinery/equipment to include cost estimation, feasibility, manufacturability, etc.
  • Design and routing of wire harnesses, power cables, and signal wires within a machine.
  • Design vision systems for use in food processing applications.
  • Use of Solidworks, PDMVault, and Visio to capture electrical component and schematics designs.
  • Use of MS Visual Studio and MPLab for creating software for PCB and networking applications.
  • Design of PLC based machine control hardware and programming using Twincat and RSlogix.
  • Design and implementation of safety systems on equipment.
  • Design and implementation of sensor systems for data acquisition.
  • Maintenance of PCB design and layout files.
  • Participate in or lead Engineering projects and project teams.


Skills: Machine Controls Design, Engineering Support, Wire Harness Routing Design, Food Processing Vision Systems, CAD, Electrical Schematics, Software Development Tools, PLC Hardware

4. Functions for Automation Controls Engineer Cover Letter

  • Design, troubleshoot, and study all aspects of machine control.
  • Create aesthetically pleasing and intuitive operator touchscreen interfaces.
  • Architect, write and debug PLC code with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable 
  • Reusable using multiple PLC controller platforms (Primarily Allen Bradley).
  • Perform testing, commissioning, startup support, and troubleshooting. 
  • Review current electrical assemblies and devices to ensure Sweed is using the most relevant, current, and cost-effective solutions in product lines.
  • Meet with clients to take detailed ordering briefs and clarify the specific requirements of each project.
  • Integrate systems with other manufacturers logic/equipment.
  • Study processes, identify and make recommendations for automation possibilities.
  • Design and test concepts for automating customers' specified processes.


Skills: Machine Control Expertise, Intuitive Operator Interfaces, PLC Code Development, Code Organization & Documentation, Testing & Troubleshooting, Electrical Solution Review, Client Communication, Systems Integration & Automation

5. Job Description for Automation Controls Engineer Cover Letter

  • Research and collaborate with suppliers and vendors to determine proper components for the application.
  • Set up and tune servo drives, VFDs, and proportional valves for fast and smooth operation.
  • Assist in defining a project’s scope and objectives, involving all relevant departments (Sales, Engineering, Panel Shop, and Safety).
  • Electrical design of complete automation systems using CAD software. 
  • Eliminate defects and errors with product and software development
  • Create and update quality documentation to maintain best-in-class performance with customers.
  • Complete and maintains timesheets daily, detailed expense and travel reports.
  • Assist with sales functions such as customer meetings, project takeoffs, BOM development, and project feasibility studies.
  • Participate in new product development activities and projects.
  • Develop technical manuals, procedures, etc.
  • Own and Manage updates to EIC plan, support and lead environmental compliance 


Skills: Supplier Collaboration, Component Research, Servo Drive Setup, Tuning, Project Scope Definition, Coordination, CAD Automation Design, Defect Elimination

What Are the Qualifications and Requirements for Automation Controls Engineer in a Cover Letter?

1. Knowledge and Abilities for Automation Controls Engineer Cover Letter

  • Experience developing Medical equipment in an FDA regulated environment
  • Experience writing/executing IQ, OQ, and PQ Protocols
  • Experience with designing and maintaining vision system used in production (i.e. Cognex/Keyence) or Epson robots
  • Experience with designing and creating the electrical schematics (within UL/IEC compliance) required 
  • Experience with build a high complexity automation system
  • Experience with creating equipment electrical schematics under AutoCAD Electrical
  • Experience with integrating Pilz safety PLCs into manufacturing equipment designs.
  • Experience with a variety of sensor technologies (thermal, optical, position, pressure, flow, etc.)
  • Experience using Agile PLM system
  • Experience conducting design reviews required to obtain the necessary DIR’s (Design Input Requirement)


Qualifications: BS in Electrical Engineering with 5 years of Experience 

2. Experience and Requirements for Automation Controls Engineer Cover Letter

  • Experience in Project Management i.e. delivering projects, managing vendors and stakeholders
  • Experience in Good Automated Manufacturing Practice (GAMP)
  • Experience in Network Infrastructure
  • Experience in Rockwell PLC’s, RS Logix, and Factory Talk
  • Experience in Wonderware InTouch HMI.
  • Experience in object-oriented coding.
  • Knowledge in Wonderware System Platform, and/or InBatch is highly advantageous
  • Proficient with MS Office, MS Project, AutoCAD Electrical
  • Proficient with MS SQL or equivalent database management tools
  • Strong documentation, presentation and analytical skills


Qualifications: BS in Mechanical Engineering with 7 years of Experience 

3. Skills, Knowledge, and Experience for Automation Controls Engineer Cover Letter

  • Proficient with major software tools including MS Office, MS Project, SolidWorks, and statistical analysis software
  • Proficient with PLC programming, HMI programming, and vision system programming
  • Experience with industrial networks and safety standards preferred.
  • Prior experience in the medical device or similar regulated industry 
  • Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Dept of Energy  Q  level security clearance.
  • Experience in engineering or related technical activities, such as manufacturing, inspection processing, or tool design
  • Experience in application of advanced engineering principles and technology related to complex technical assignments
  • Experience with build high complex automation equipment for all phases of the design process
  • Proficient in Allen-Bradley PLC ControlLogix Platform and development tools
  • Proficient with motion controllers and Vision Inspection Systems
  • Hands-on experience with electro-mechanical troubleshooting in a high-volume, automated manufacturing environment


Qualifications: BS in Computer Engineering with 5 years of Experience 


4. Requirements and Experience for Automation Controls Engineer Cover Letter

  • Experience in food/pharmaceutical industry, preferably with evaporator/dryer manufacturing/dryer experience.
  • Computer knowledge of FDA, cGMP, 3A, USDA, PMO, ISO.
  • Effective writing and verbal skills.
  • Ability to work with minimum supervision, multi-tasking and prioritizing under pressure.
  • Work in changing environment where teamwork and collaboration are required.
  • Ability to develop and incorporate innovative concepts and technologies into functional processes.
  • Ability to use and interpret analytical techniques to verify or select alternate design approaches.
  • Excellent project engineering and project management experience.
  • Highly proficient with application and design of programmable controls (PLC) hardware and software.
  • Prior manufacturing or development of process control and instrument engineering experience.


Qualifications: BS in Control Engineering with 4 years of Experience 


5. Education and Experience for Automation Controls Engineer Cover Letter

  • Experience with leading the design, programming, start-up, troubleshooting
  • Experience in validating of process control systems and instruments including DCS, SCADA and PLC systems.
  • Highly proficient with application and design of HMI software.
  • Highly proficient with data base applications and data transfer across different platforms.
  • Highly proficient with basic electrical codes and standards.
  • Highly proficient with basic safety standards.
  • Highly proficient with Automation networks including Devicenet, ControlNet and Ethernet.
  • Working knowledge and application development using PLC programming.
  • Experience with RSLogix 5, RSLogix 500 and RSLogix 5000
  • Working knowledge and application development of SCADA systems and standalone HMI applications. 


Qualifications: BS in Industrial Engineering with 6 years of Experience