Most automation engineers enjoy abundant job opportunities, high salaries, career advancement potential, and excellent job satisfaction.
However, every individual may experience automation in distinct ways.
Understanding different aspects of automation and how it affects your overall satisfaction is crucial.
Follow this short guide to learn more about automation engineering and find out if it is the best choice for you.
Is Automation A Good Career Path?
The majority of engineers who pursue automation deem it a good career path.
Automation, or automation engineering, seeks to develop self-operating processes or procedures.
Accordingly, if you like to improve upon existing technology and find innovative solutions to consumer problems, you may deeply enjoy automation work.
You may also have the chance to design and develop an entirely new automation technology.
You also have the chance to specialize in many exciting domains such as:
- Process automation.
- Quality assurance.
- Mechanical engineering.
- Control and automation.
- Software engineering and programming.
- AI.
- Robotics.
Since automation is an ever-growing and evolving domain, you can experience job stability and opportunities for career advancement.
If you have particularly outstanding skills and achievements in automation, you may even be able to work with prestigious companies such as Siemens, Emerson, ABB, or Rockwell Automation.
How Is Automation As A Career?
Automation engineering can be a lucrative and beneficial career path, although it may be more complex than other engineering paths.
As an automation engineer, you need to have a creative mind and a critical eye for detail.
Since you are attempting to solve issues, you need to look at a specific product, interpret research and sets of data, and conceptualize and design a solution.
Automation engineers often need to work long hours to collaborate with their teams and complete projects on time.
Later in your career, if you move on to becoming a senior engineer, you may do less hands-on work.
In this case, you will oversee projects and ensure quality and targets.
If you enjoy this work, you will excel in the domain.
Learn more: Can Mechanical Engineering Work In Google?
Does Automation Pay Well?
Automation engineering pays very well, and you can receive excellent benefits.
In the United States, the average automation engineer’s salary is $95,000, although you can expect to earn more with further education or expertise.
Entry-level positions in automation engineering require a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field.
If you have in-depth studies focused on programming, computers, AI or robotics, databases, control systems, or artificial neural networks, you may earn up to $150,000 per year.
Typical benefits include a 401k, health insurance, dental and vision insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, paid time off, parental leave, relocation assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible schedules.
What Are The Pros?
Are you planning to be an automation engineer? You may benefit from any of the following:
- Opportunities to specialize in an exciting field
- In-demand profession, leading to many job opportunities
- Job positions in many different industries
- High salaries
- Excellent benefits packages
- Flexible schedules
- Teamwork or independent working options
- Job stability
- Training and education opportunities
- Career advancement
- Leadership positions
- Chance to be at the forefront of technology and innovation
- Power to assist society by creating helpful technology and products
What Are The Cons?
Although there are many benefits to being an automation engineer, it may not be a good line of work for everyone.
Some individuals may experience cons such as:
- Male-dominated domain
- Entry-level positions average $65,077 per year
- Relocation may be necessary for higher salaries and better job opportunities
- Extended hours may be necessary
- Meticulous, detail-oriented engineers fare better in the field
- Invention rights are typically under company control
Is Automation Engineer A Stressful Job?
Automation engineering can be a stressful career, depending on your particular company.
If you work in a company with poor management, organization, or regard for employees, you can expect your job to be stressful, overwhelming, or frustrating.
During your job selection and interview process, ask about their benefits, expectations, and standards.
If you find an employer who maintains high morale, work engagement, and employee retention rates, you may find the work atmosphere conducive to job satisfaction.
Additionally, you may find certain automation engineering positions are more stressful than others.
Yet, if you spend time engaging with your studies and truly perfecting your craft, you will reduce your stress levels while working.
Are Automation Engineers Happy?
Automation engineers have high levels of job satisfaction.
As with any job, they experience higher levels of happiness if they are passionate about their job, work for an excellent company, maintain a high salary, and obtain a perfect benefits package.
Amongst all automation engineers, quality assurance engineers are the happiest.
Also read: Do Nurses Regret Going Into Nursing?
Are Automation Engineers In Demand?
Automation is constantly growing, and some even refer to the coming technological age as an automation revolution.
As such, many industries and companies will need automation engineers in the numbers.
You should see a steady rise in demand in the coming decade.
Accordingly, automation engineering may be one of the best career paths to pursue in terms of job prospects.
What Degree Do You Need For Automation?
To become an automation engineer, you can obtain a bachelor’s degree in engineering, automation engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science.
Since automation engineering is not a well-known academic concentration yet, you may need to take supplemental automation courses or certificates.
You may like to pursue a master’s degree to concentrate your education on one specific domain.
Learn more: Can A Mechanical Engineer Become Automation Engineer?
How To Get Started?
After earning your degree in engineering or computer science, you need to acquire any necessary engineering certificates and licenses.
The main engineering license is the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
Later in your career, you can also complete the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.
Optional certificates which develop your automation knowledge and skills include the Certified Automation Professional (CAP) and Certified Control System Technician (CCST).
You may also benefit from working an internship while studying for your undergraduate or graduate degree.
Final Thoughts
If automation interests you, you may enjoy pursuing a career as an automation engineer.
You will have the chance to develop new, cutting-edge technology and receive numerous benefits from your career.
Since you may need to complete electrical or mechanical engineering education, you also have the opportunity to change your mind if you do not enjoy automation.
