Skills by role
Skills for Automation Engineers
Discover the technical skills for automation engineers — from PLC programming and SCADA systems to robotics integration, process optimisation, and safety standards.
- 5M+Skills and technical tools added by professionals on MuchSkills globally
- 28+Priority skills identified for automation engineers on MuchSkills
- 107%More likely to place talent effectively — skills-based organisations vs traditional role-based ones (Deloitte)
The core automation skills are PLC programming, SCADA and HMI, robotics, industrial networks, process optimisation and functional safety. Know who has each, not who might.
When a fault stops the line, you need to know who can fix it. This guide gives HR, L&D and hiring managers the skill categories, tools, certifications and levels to staff, train and hire from. Engineers can use it to plan their next skill.
Everest Group named MuchSkills a Major Contender in its Skills Intelligence Platforms PEAK Matrix® in 2025 and 2026.
Staff the next upgrade on evidence, not a hunch
Soft skills that matter for automation engineers
- Structured problem-solvingsolving also tops MuchSkills' 2026 analysis of the soft skills 100,000 professionals rely on most.
- Empathy for operatorsEngineers who know how operators really work build HMIs and procedures that get used correctly.
- Clear communicationoffs to production, maintenance and suppliers, often while the line is down.
- Documentation disciplineClear comments and current drawings let someone fix a fault at 3am without calling the person who wrote the code.
- Cross-discipline collaborationMechanical, electrical, IT and quality teams all meet on automation projects. The automation engineer is usually the one linking them.
- Learning agilityPlatforms and standards keep changing. Hire and promote the engineers who learn the new one instead of defending the old.
What separates junior and senior automation engineers
In short, juniors change existing code on 1 platform with supervision. Seniors design across platforms, sign off safety and set the standard for the team. Use the lines below as level descriptors in your framework.
Junior
- Modifies and debugs existing PLC and HMI programs on 1 platform, working from a specification.
- Supports commissioning, FAT and SAT under supervision, following lockout/tagout rules.
- Troubleshoots faults on known equipment using drawings, alarm logs and senior help.
- Documents changes clearly and knows 1 or 2 industrial protocols.
Senior
- Designs control architectures across platforms and chooses between PLC, DCS, SCADA and robots.
- Leads safety risk assessments and signs off designs against ISO 13849, IEC 62061 or IEC 61511.
- Uses production data to cut OEE, quality and energy losses across a line or site.
- Mentors juniors, sets coding standards and manages suppliers and integrators.
Mapping automation engineer skills across your organisation
A skills matrix only helps if it shows what your engineers can do today. Spreadsheet matrices go stale because updating them does nothing for the people filling them in. MuchSkills started as that kind of spreadsheet: a Google Sheets matrix that team members filled in themselves. We built the software so engineers would keep their own profiles current. Profile completion typically lands between 70% and the high 80s.
Set it up in 4 steps. 1: Add the categories above, choosing named skills and certifications from a database of 12,000+ tech skills and 9,700+ certifications. 2: Connect your HRIS, such as Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Personio or HiBob, so roles and teams stay in sync. 3: Engineers rate their proficiency, upload certificates and say what they want to work on. 4: Managers validate. The platform is live in days.
Here's an illustrative example. A new packaging line needs Siemens TIA Portal, ISO 13849 and robot integration. The plant manager filters the matrix instead of asking around. It shows who has all 3 skills, and who is 1 skill short but wants robotics work. That gives you a staffing shortlist and a gap analysis for training. Every record keeps an audit trail, built for ISO 9001 Clause 7.2 evidence of competence.
"Cut workforce planning time by 60%." TBS
"Eliminated spreadsheet chaos across 200+ employees." Intellect EU
Frequently asked questions
What skills does an automation engineer need?
An automation engineer needs PLC programming (ladder logic, structured text), SCADA and HMI configuration, industrial networking (OPC UA, PROFINET, Modbus), robotics and motion control, functional safety (ISO 13849, IEC 62061) and process optimisation. Industrial cybersecurity under IEC 62443 and basic Python or SQL increasingly matter too. The soft skills that complete the set are structured problem-solving, clear communication with operators and disciplined documentation.
What are the most in-demand automation engineer skills?
The most in-demand automation engineer skills mix classic controls with connected-plant work. Employers look for PLC programming on Siemens TIA Portal or Rockwell Studio 5000, SCADA platforms such as Ignition, OPC UA integration, robot and cobot integration, and functional safety. IT/OT skills such as IEC 62443 security, MES integration and production data analysis are harder to find. [DATA: top 5 automation engineer skills by frequency on MuchSkills, if available]
Which certifications are worth it for automation engineers?
The best certifications for automation engineers depend on the work. ISA's Certified Automation Professional (CAP) covers the whole role. TÜV Rheinland Functional Safety Engineer or exida CFSE prove safety competence. Ignition Core Certification suits SCADA work, the ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialist covers OT security, and Lean Six Sigma belts support process optimisation.
How do I build a skills matrix for automation engineers?
To build a skills matrix for automation engineers, follow 4 steps. Choose 4 to 6 categories, such as PLC programming, SCADA, robotics and functional safety. List the named tools, methods and certifications in each. Define proficiency levels from junior to senior. Then have engineers rate themselves, managers validate, and review regularly. A live tool such as MuchSkills keeps it current without chasing spreadsheet updates.
How does an automation engineer progress from junior to senior?
An automation engineer becomes senior by moving from changing existing code on 1 platform to designing control architectures across several. Seniors lead safety risk assessments, use production data to improve whole lines and mentor others. To progress, broaden platform experience, earn a functional safety or ISA certification, and own a commissioning project from start to finish.
Map automation engineer skills across your organisation
See who has which skills, at what level, and where the gaps are — in one live view on top of your HRIS.