Control room engineer
Manage and monitor remote equipment from a control room, to ensure smooth and safe operations.
Also known as: control room operator, control room technician, control room specialist
About the job
What it's like
As a control room engineer, you'll monitor, operate and manage systems and equipment. You'll do this from a central control room.
You could work in a variety of industries. These include manufacturing, energy, telecommunications or utilities. For example, you might be based in a power plant, a chemical plant or a water company.
This can be a fast-paced role, especially if there are faults or emergencies. It can also be rewarding, knowing you're helping keep people, homes and businesses safe.
If you work offshore, you’ll monitor, control and optimise the operations of offshore wind turbines. And you’ll do it all from an onshore control centre!
Your tasks might include:
monitoring systems and equipment, such as pumps, turbines and compressors
analysing data from sensors and control systems to detect trends and issues
identifying faults and fixing them remotely or by instructing technicians on site
responding to emergencies
making sure all operations follow industry safety standards
reporting and documenting maintenance and incidents
Green job
In this job, you could be doing work to help the environment. For example, you may work on a wind farm or for a renewable energy company.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
My Energy Future – learn more about working in energy
Scottish Renewables – find out about careers in the country's renewables industry
Skills Development Scotland – Career Opportunities in Scotland across Offshore Wind
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Transport Digital technologies Energy Engineering and manufacturing
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- working with technology
- verbal communication
- time management
- taking responsibility
- resilience
- reliable
- problem solving
- observation
- attention to detail
- analysing
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Computing Science
Design and Technology
Engineering Science
Information and Communications Technology - ICT
Maths (Mathematics)
Physics
Practical Electronics
Foundation Apprenticeship: Engineering
Skills for Work: Engineering Skills
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Most control room engineers get started through an apprenticeship, college course or a degree.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are designed for industry. You'll spend most of your time learning on the job but you'll also go to uni. You'll have a job, get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
You might want to consider a GA in IT: Management for Business or Cyber Security.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you secure a job or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Electrical Engineering
Electronic Engineering
Computer Science
Use the My World of Work course search to find HNCs and HNDs.
University
A degree may be helpful for getting into this job. You could study subjects such as:
Electrical Engineering
Electronic Engineering
Computer Science
Getting work experience in a relevant role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a control room engineer. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
Some employers in the energy or power sectors will look for you to hold a Senior Authorised Person (SAP) authorisation.
For some jobs, you may need a full driving licence to travel to sites.
Depending on who you work for, you may need to hold a UK passport. This is so you can pass security clearance requirements.
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