Respondents to the 2025 Control Engineering Career and Salary Survey provided advice about skills needed to get ahead and how to advance those skills, including technology use. Artificial intelligence is helping automation.
Greater use of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) led automation topical advice from the 2025 Control Engineering Career and Salary Survey and Report. Two write-in questions asked survey respondents for advice. Among survey respondents, 103 offered advice on skills; 81 provided technology-related related advice. AI was mentioned 50 times in the two write-in questions. Frequency of AI mentions was consistent with subscribers’ naming AI as the technology most useful for those working with automation in the coming year.
Summary advice follows, lightly edited for style, and categorized here for convenience (by the first topic mentioned in the advice). Thanks to all who contributed.
Skills needed to get ahead in 2025: Technologies, applications
Electronics will help, specifically the advances in building automation and equipment interfaces, all associated with the remote access through client security systems.
Be willing to continue to learn new technologies and learn how to apply them to your responsibilities. Be willing to mentor and be mentored by others no matter their (or your) level of experience.
Know how to apply your knowledge and how to think outside the box. Ask questions and don’t give up easily. Read and review technical articles and always try to be the very best at what you do.
Trends and new technologies are cool and worth checking into, but some of the old, tried-and-true technologies are still the best today.
Understanding the needs of telecommunication power applications, equipment power draws and communications with the construction team are vital for project completion.
Project management skills are valuable
Technical expertise in your specific engineering discipline remains fundamental. Project management and leadership skills become increasingly valuable as you advance. Communication skills help for explaining complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Adaptability and continuous learning will help you to keep pace with evolving technologies. Cross-functional collaboration enables you to work effectively with different departments.
I am old but still capable. There is a lot to learn still, and I love to share my knowledge. Lack of recognition and internal politics are often in the way.
It is important to be informed about the upcoming technologies in the market through relevant courses, certifications and reading articles from reliable sources.
Keep learning and being interested in the technology and emerging techniques involved in your skill set. Pilot new ideas before wide implementation while working with suppliers.
Being hands-on and engaged with all aspects of each operation that goes into our processes, including the fine-print requirements along with obvious things like safety, component part conditions and packaging … all important to contributing to the overall satisfaction of our customers.
Engineering skills updates are needed because engineering is constantly evolving with new technologies and methodologies. Mastering specific skills keeps you competitive and innovative. How? Familarize yourself with modern software and tools in your field (such as AutoCAD, MATLAB, SolidWorks). Invest in continuous learning about new technologies such as AI and additive manufacturing. Improve problem-solving through hands-on projects and teamwork.
Team-building skills are needed. Collaborative work is essential to achieving complex organizational goals. Knowing how to build and lead teams is a huge differentiator. Practice active listening and provide constructive feedback regularly. Study group dynamics and agile methodologies, such as Scrum.
Develop empathy and emotional intelligence to improve interpersonal connection. More cybersecurity with cyberattacks, protecting information and systems is critical for any organization. How? Learn fundamentals such as encryption, firewalls and network security. Earn recognized certifications, such as CompTIA Security or CISSP. Stay up-to-date on new threats and emerging solutions.
Finance and accounting skills are needed because an organization’s financial health impacts sustainability. Understanding the numbers helps you make strategic decisions. Master financial analysis tools such as advanced spreadsheets or Power BI. Study accounting principles such as cash flow, profit and loss. Learn about budgeting and cost reduction strategies. Project management skills are needed because successful projects depend on good organization, communication and execution. Earn certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP). Use software such as Microsoft Project or Trello. Practice effective communication to keep all stakeholders aligned.
Improve engineering communications
Advance your communication skills with co-workers, management and customers. These skills reflect directly on you and your ability to perform.
Learn to effectively handle large amounts of information (such as a deluge of email). Read for comprehension, especially correspondence from those for whom English is a second language. Manage time more effectively.
Biggest challenge for my role is “internal sales.” Once we know what is needed to fix issues, we still have to convince our own leadership, then accounting, then project management, then corporate real estate, then more accounting folks. Developing internal marketing skills will help.
Learn how to communicate to others who may not be in your field of expertise. This allows you to effectively explain what you are doing and why.
Effective engineering starts with good written and verbal communications skills and an openness to do anything differently than it’s been done before. Communicate and innovate.
The average person in my field has terrible speaking skills. It can be fixed. I did it. Improve grammar: I am tired of lousy grammar and hard-to-understand statements.
I am in the late stages of my career. I started working at age 11 as a paperboy and except for few speed bumps have been working for more than 50 years. Today, younger people having a phone in their faces distract them from real face-to-face interactions. The biggest issue is learning to wean away from phone time to have real people time.
As owner of my organization, I feel I must be able to communicate with my employees as members of a team and as individuals. I must be a leader and not a boss for their success, my success and the success of the company.
Project management for engineers
Show up on time. Be energetic about learning and not afraid to make mistakes. Lessons learned are invaluable. Take responsibility and push to know and understand concepts behind why things are done a certain way. Always try to improve where you can, in life and engineering-enabling skillsets.
Most companies should improve workflow management skills. This would include training for the processes involved, software training and implementation.
The great skill required by all has been, still is and will always be time management. Cultivate an ability to see the big picture. The quicker one can see that, the better. If the company doesn’t make money, no one will. Don’t just ride the job clock, focus.
Anticipate, recognize and pursue actions helpful to the project/effort beyond the basic scopes by linking information available and expanding the services being provided to the end-user to produce greater value.
Continuous learning for engineers
Management has to be receptive of challenges for engineers and respond properly. If you enter a field without proper knowledge, it takes time to perform training to understand this new field.
Pursue many years of superior engineering education globally! AI must be subject to stringent regulation and safe railing limitations until real, clear understanding of applicable global benefits.
Gain enough financial and legal exposure to make the proper decisions and hold others to those standards to perform at a higher level of engineering, general manager or equivalent.
Get trained in active learning, hybrid teaching and educational technology. Apply these skills to engineering teaching. Explore intersections between your field of automation, AI and data science.
What technologies will help with automation, how and why?
Another advice question asked survey respondents for advice about technologies most likely to help with career goals in the coming year, including how and why. AI and machine learning (AI/ML) are enabling higher productivity but require expert, ethical oversight, according to comments.
AI, analytics, productivity
AI and machine learning tools help for optimization and automation. Cloud-computing platforms and infrastructure can help with coding. Use advanced simulation and modeling software and data analytics and visualization tools. Specialized software relevant to your specific engineering field will help.
AI/ML: AI is transforming industries by automating tasks, enhancing decision-making and creating innovative solutions.
Advice: Learn AI tools like TensorFlow or PyTorch. Explore applications in your field, such as predictive analytics or natural language processing. Stay updated on ethical AI practices to ensure responsible use.
Blockchain: Blockchain technologies are revolutionizing finance, supply chain management and data security with its decentralized and transparent nature.
Advice: Understand blockchain basics and smart contracts. Explore platforms like Ethereum or Hyperledger. Consider certifications like Certified Blockchain Professional (CBP).
Cloud computing: Cloud computing platforms enable scalability, cost-efficiency and remote collaboration, essential for modern businesses.
Advice: Gain expertise in platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud. Learn about cloud security and architecture. Implement cloud solutions in your projects to showcase practical skills.
Cybersecurity: With increasing cyber threats, organizations prioritize safeguarding their data and systems.
Advice: Acquire certifications like CompTIA Security or CISSP. Learn about threat detection and incident response. Stay informed about emerging threats and solutions. Data science and analytics: Data-driven decision-making is crucial for businesses to stay competitive.
Advice: Master tools like Python, R or Tableau. Learn statistical analysis and data visualization techniques. Apply data insights to solve real-world problems.
Quantum computing: Although still emerging, quantum computing promises breakthroughs in complex problem-solving and optimization.
Advice: Familiarize yourself with quantum principles and tools like Qiskit. Explore applications in cryptography, logistics or drug discovery. Stay updated on advancements in the field.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR): AR and VR are reshaping industries like gaming, education and healthcare with immersive experiences and have use cases across many industries.
Advice: Learn AR/VR development tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. Explore use cases in your industry. Experiment with creating AR/VR prototypes.
Sustainable technologies: Sustainability is becoming a key focus for businesses and consumers alike.
Advice: Understand green technologies like renewable energy systems or sustainable materials. Explore roles in sustainability-focused projects. Advocate for eco-friendly practices in your workplace.
As I see it, artificial intelligence is going to have the greatest impact on business across the country, perhaps across the globe. Not only does it help in preparing documented requirements but also in the predictability of machine operation and maintenance.
Let people try, test and get decent training about new technologies. AI, automation, computing skills, communication and presentation effectiveness help. You cannot expect workers to work in a linear way and get better results. Your work is not supposed to be routine.
The use of AI seems to be a huge opportunity for getting information about available technology, particularly now that the search engines seem to provide mostly sponsored results, with little actual content.
Update cybersecurity regularly on the company platform. Choose AI and IT options that can be included in the yearly budget, to secure positive company results.
The two most exciting things are AI and the personal robot. I cannot wait to have real AI-driven virtual assistants to do tasks for me, such as answering emails and making travel reservations. Secondly, automation will create personal humanoid robots taking the virtual assistant to the physical world for a bit of the Jetsons lifestyle, freeing people from routine household chores, etc.
I am hoping to use automation and AI in our work processes. I already use AI on a limited basis but would like to implement formally.
Computer skills, programming
Gaining a better understanding of specific computer-aided programs used in my field of engineering can speed up processes and help to visualize complicated systems.
Implement disaster recovery in case a major interruption or event occurs in a manufacturing space. Bolster archival methods to reliably maintain and re-deploy code to automation systems.
Mark T. Hoske is editor-in-chief, Control Engineering, WTWH Media, [email protected]. Amanda Pelliccione, marketing research manager, WTWH Media, conducted the research and assembled the related report available online.
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See the 2025 salary survey research main article:
Results are in: Control Engineering Career and Salary Survey, 2025
See 2024 salary survey advice.
