Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

The Work

Control Engineering is a branch of electrical engineering concerned with controlling the behaviour of engineered and natural systems.  
 
Some control engineers research, design, develop and bring into production the equipment needed to monitor or automate an industrial process. For example, they may work on transmitters, analogue and digital instruments, control values, meters and sensors. There is a very wide range of uses for this type of equipment, including measuring temperatures in jet engines and measuring the flow of oil or gas in pipelines.  
 
In manufacturing companies, control engineers may then work in teams, discussing how best to produce, market and sell the finished products. Control engineers may travel to visit customers to explain developments. 
 
In order to design a complete control system, control engineers need an in-depth understanding of the processes that will occur. This may involve talking to staff who currently operate process equipment and the engineers who designed it. Control engineers then choose the instruments they will need to do the right measurements for the system. They may write the computer software the system will need to analyse data from these instruments. Control engineers may need to purchase equipment before overseeing its installation.  
 
Once a system is installed, control engineers train staff in how to use the system and how to deal with any problems that may come up. They may lead teams including other engineers, technicians and crafts people.  
 
Control engineers also modify existing systems, improving them to make them safer, more efficient and more economical. They are also responsible for the repair and maintenance of plant and equipment.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
• Prepare technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, or topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.
• Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
• Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
• Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
• Compile data and write reports regarding existing or potential electrical engineering studies or projects.
• Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
• Prepare specifications for purchases of materials or equipment.
• Estimate labor, material, or construction costs for budget preparation purposes.
• Supervise or train project team members, as necessary.

Further Information

• Electrical Control Engineer - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

In order to become an Electrical Control Engineer, it is necessary to have a degree in Engineering, ideally with a specialisation in some form of Energy Engineering.

While most universities offer engineering programmes there are a number of undergraduate programs with a focus on energy engineering, energy systems or sustainable energy engineering. Some programs allow you to enter a general engineering course and then select to specialise on energy engineering as you progress through the course.

There are many different types of organisations who require energy engineers, including utility companies, sustainable energy developers, government planning departments and energy consultants.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Engineering Operations, Engineering Technology in centres around Ireland at NFQ Level 5 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Renewable Energy & Control Systems, Pre-University Engineering, Engineering - Preliminary, Engineering Pre University, Engineering Technology, Sustainable Energy & Construction Technology, Renewable & Engineering Technology at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Engineering Apprenticeship programmes NFQ level 6-7, Principal Engineer NFQ level 10 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: General Engineering, Engineering - Energy Engineering, Engineering - Energy Systems Engineering, Engineering - Mechanical Engineering & Renewable Energy, Engineering - Mechanical Engineering with Energy, Engineering - Renewable & Electrical Energy Engineering, Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engineering, Electrical Services & Energy Management, Physics with Energy & Environment  courses at NFQ Levels 7-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

A postgraduate qualification offers either a path into the field for someone with a more general engineering or science undergraduate or a way for those who have already studied energy engineering to aid their career by specialising further.

Postgraduate Study Options Engineering - Civil Engineering - Environment & Energy, Engineering - Energy Systems Engineering, Engineering - Sustainable Energy Engineering, Energy Management, Sustainable Energy & Green Technologies Course at NFQ level 9-10

Engineers Ireland Engineers Ireland accredits degree courses throughout Ireland. Completion of one of these course leads to ordinary membership of the IEI. Most large employers offer a graduate training programme of Initial Professional Development (IPD) to enable their graduate employees reach Chartered Engineer status. 

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €45k - €90k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Brightwater / Morgan McKinley/ CPL / Excel / Clark

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022, by approximately 3,000 persons, but remained above 2017 levels, resulting in a positive, but below average, annual average growth rate for the five-year period. Employment for this occupation was primarily in industry (accounting for a 60% share of employment). Employment permits issued were across a variety of technician roles (e.g. process, manufacturing, laboratory). The Recruitment Agency Survey identified vacancies for maintenance technicians in manufacturing with electrical/mechanical skills as difficult-to-fill.

Employers (Skills for Growth) experienced difficulties in filling a range of engineering technician roles, including aircraft technicians and manufacturing technicians, particularly for those with digital skills and knowledge of procedures/processes. There was a 3% increase in the number of online job adverts in 2022, driven by increases in electrical/electronic technicians and, to a lesser extent, laboratory technicians.

New apprenticeship registrations for a number of industry related technicians (including lab analysts) have risen strongly since the first of these programmes were introduced in 2017; by 2022 there were 314 new registrations across a range of apprenticeships (lab analyst, manufacturing technology, OEM engineer etc.) up from approximately 100 in 2017. Although demand seems to be lessening for these roles, issues with attracting suitable candidates remain for maintenance and laboratory technicians in particular, at least in the short-term.

Other Engineering professionals (e.g. mechanical, electrical and electronic engineers)

Despite a strong five-year annual average employment growth rate, the numbers employed declined marginally between 2021 and 2022. Over half (55%) were employed in the professional activities sector with the remainder spread across industry and other sectors. The number of employment permits issued in 2022 grew strongly (and remained strong in the first five months of 2023) in roles including electrical, mechanical, automation, and validation engineers. There is evidence in the Recruitment Agency Survey of difficulties in filling vacancies for roles in electrical, automation, mechanical, and environmental health & safety (EHS) engineers. Skills for Growth and Spotlight on Skills data highlight issues with sourcing mechanical, automation and process engineers, with project management, Lean Six Sigma, and CAD/AutoCAD skills in particular demand for these roles. Despite a 3% fall in 2022, this occupation was amongst the most frequently mentioned in online job adverts. Overall demand for this occupation may moderate, although this may be offset by any increase in the extension of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5 technologies to more traditional manufacturing sectors and smaller sized companies; in addition, increased activity associated with the generation of green energy (mechanical/electrical) will also drive demand for these skills. As such, difficulty in sourcing suitably qualified and experienced engineers is expected to continue, albeit in smaller numbers.

• Electricity Supply Board (ESB)

  • Head Office, 27 Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2
  • 1850 372 757
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• MIDAS Ireland, (Microelectronics Industry Design Association)

  • Tyndall National Institute, Lee Maltings, Dyke Parade, Cork
  • +353 (0)89 448 9963
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here