Career outlook for
Figures and forecasts for roles at the same level, which require similar skills and qualifications.
Average UK salary
£30,680
Currently employed in Scotland
3,300
Five year job forecast
-6.02%
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures.
What's it like?
Design systems to control the machinery and equipment in factories so that production will be safe and effective. You’d also coordinate the installation of your systems.
You could work in these industries:
- Manufacturing
- Light and heavy engineering
- Petrochemicals and biochemicals
- Power generation
- Automatic sorting operations
- Transport operations
The control instruments you'd create would let the production workers see what is happening in a specific area of the manufacturing or operations process. This means that in the event of a problem, adjustments could be made straight away.
These sensors and instruments also collect data, which is used to plan production and quality control.
You would:
- Check the development and installation of new equipment
- Draw technical plans with computer-assisted engineering and design software
- Analyse data and use computer modelling to improve the efficiency of production processes
- Estimate the costs and timescales of installing new equipment
- Coordinate the work of technicians and craftspeople
- Plan and manage inspection and maintenance schedules
You would go to meetings, write reports and give presentations to managers and clients.
You could also be in charge of the technicians who install and maintain the instruments and systems.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
UK employment status
Full-time
80%
Part-time
6%
Self employed
14%
Create a qualification route
We’ve found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.
Discover my routeTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Managing resources
- Developing a plan
- Working with technology
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Cooperating
- Researching
- Designing
- Working with numbers
- Problem solving
Build your skills
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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you’ll need.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.
Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Qualifications
You would need a degree (SCQF level 9/10) in Measurement and Control Engineering or other engineering subjects such as Mechanical, Electrical or Computing.
You can enter a Measurement and Control Engineering Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
Entry to a relevant degree (SCQF level 9/10) requires National 5 qualifications and three Highers at BBB or above, or a relevant HNC/HND.
It may also be possible to start as a Measurement and Control Technician and complete further qualifications after your apprenticeship to become an engineer.
Useful subjects
- Maths (required by many courses and employers)
- Science subjects, in particular physics, (required by many courses and employers)
- English
- Technologies subjects such as engineering science
Helpful to have
Qualifications that show understanding and experience of the industry such as Skills for Work Engineering Skills (SCQF level 4).
Related industries
