Can you give me advice on Automation/Controls Industry?

[kirito34]

I am graduating with a Mechanical Engineering degree in a few weeks and want to get in the automation/controls industry. I have a 3.9 GPA and am a research assistant on an autonomous robotics project.

For the project, I've programmed and done data acquisition for the DC motors and various ultrasonic/infrared sensors, motor and battery sizing and selection, and all of the wiring and bread-boarding. I have an Allen Bradley ControlLogix 1000 PLC which I have toyed around with to get a feel for Ladder Logic and Allen Bradley software on a smaller-scale. I have experience in LabVIEW, Arduino, and MATLAB/Simulink as well.

I have taken an Automatic Control class and a Mechatronics Fundamentals class.

I do not have any internship/co-op experience.

It seems that most jobs are looking for electrical engineer graduates for the type of jobs that include DCS, PLC, SCADA, and HMI.

Can anyone offer me any advice to help get my foot in the door in the controls/automation industry?

[Rodrigo_Garcia]

Hello, 

You can find additional trainings in our Digital Product section: Trainings

Regards

[BJacqz]

Hello, I am more specialist on Drives applications, you mention DC motor, nevertheless, I could help you on AC motors (Asynchronous, Synchronous and Synchronous reluctance as well), our Altivar drives range can manage those types of motors, feel free to let us know if you need some more on this topic. I advise also you to have a look on our SE.com website, typing Altivar you will get manay many helpful information on the matter. Hope this help^.

[Kevin_McDonald]

My suggestion would be to find and apply for a position within that product scope.  It is likely that the positions will come with training in that particular product line.  And your experiences in other areas, such as Mechanical, go hand in hand when working on Automation and Controls.