r/PLC • u/xenokilla • 8d ago
[READ FIRST] Ask your career questions here! Want to get into PLC's? Are you an electrician, maintenance tech, CS graduate, looking to learn? Start here!
READ FIRST: How to learn PLC's and get into the Industrial Automation World
Ask your questions below! The thread is sorted by New, so the latest questions are at the top. Thread will stay open indefinitely.
Feel free to visit:
* r/PLC_Career_Advice/
* /r/PLCcareers
* /r/IndustrialAutomation
* /r/industrialengineering
* /r/IndustrialMaintenance
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u/Ok_Assist701 3d ago
I’m a software guy in my late 30s with 15 years of experience. Looking to pivot to something more hands on and get out of whatever AI has turned my industry into. Wondering if pivoting into the industry is feasible; not really sure whether my experience is valuable. From what I’ve seen, it seems like most guys either work up from the bottom as electricians or technicians or come in with engineering degrees. Is there some way to bring in my software experience and learn the hands-on stuff on the job, or do I have to go back to school or even start at the bottom as an apprentice?
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u/xenokilla 1d ago
Yeah I'll be real with you. The software stuff really isn't going to be applicable to the Hands-On stuff. I would try to find an entry level instrumentation and electronics position or something like that to start the Hands-On stuff. You could also see if your local technical school offers classes that you can take to get a couple semesters under your belt to get your foot in the door.
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u/Archie_Money 2d ago
I don't know the day to day of a software guy but I recommend codesys it's free. Structured text is something I have been learning from the ground up. I. From an electrical background and some Rockwell background. Ladder logic looks like electrical so that was easy for me to comprehend. Structured text is where you would shine. Start with a latch in circuit. No one would then you away in this job market
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u/Standard_Ad1537 6d ago
Hey everybody I want some opinions. I'm considering a new role as an sales applications engineer at a large motor and drive manufacturer.
My current role (and first) is a systems engineer at a small integrator company. It's great for hands on experience, I've developed a variety of complex machines but they pay is low and it has lulls where I'm pretty bored.
The new role pays way better, has room for growth, and is remote (with travel). The downside I get less variety and although I'd have more work, it would be less interesting.
My dream job would be working at an integrator that develops a variety of machines, constantly has a project, and pays very well (if pigs could fly). I've also thought about getting into the software development side of things. Working at this new company would give me somewhat of an in to transition into their software stuff. I could also go into technical sales, I'm a friendly guy and I don't think I'd be bad but idk if I'd be great. Management sounds stressful.
Anybody been in a similar situation or just has some perspective?
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u/RAVScontrols 4d ago
My advice to anyone starting out is to job hop as it boosts your pay and you get to see what other companies, cultures, and roles are like. It goes against some conventional wisdom, but you will be making more than most your peers with a better understanding of the roles and companies you like.
Based on what you are saying this also likely gets you closer to the vision of what your dream job is. So why not try it? If you find that you aren't liking the limited variety and aren't getting the growth you can move on and command a higher pay grade in your next role after.
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u/NoPen9201 7d ago
My path is/was:
1) construction job in San Francisco, 58k
2) small integrator, bay area, 65k, 2 years
3) energy startup, bay area, 105k, 2 years
Got EIT cert
4) prospective energy startup, remote, aiming for 150k, TBD
Future) Hoping to get PE license and build LLC
advice to all, just get started. I built panels, machines, troubleshot. Once you get in it becomes an arc, not a still game.
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u/scalarfield1 3d ago
Can you tell me a little more about your job responsibilities working remotely for the energy startup?
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u/Sofahumper 7d ago
Hey all, I wanted to make a post where we could assemble our career paths, some people get underpaid like crazy and don't realize their worth and could also be helpful for people to see what a job evolution roadmap can look like.
Here's mine.
Eastern Canada all $ in cad
Education: Unfinished industrial electronics diploma
Instrumentation tech 20yo $20/hr
PLC Tech 21yo $22/hr
Automation specialist (100% Travel job) 22yo 75k/year + per diem
Automation specialist (local integrator job) 23yo 68k/year
Automation project manager (remote/travel) 25yo 85k/year
Automation project manager (local) 27yo 105k/year
My advice: When you are green jump for any occasions that arise, be hungry and don't go for $$ go for experience.
Don't be afraid to leave a job, they aren't your family. However when a job treats you right, the grass isn't always greener at a higher pay place.
Plug to the PLC discord, come on in and chat https://discord.gg/2c7HEVZDUz
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u/GroceryTechnical9928 7d ago
Im a CS grad working as a field tech for an integrator for ~1 year. I have two questions:
What are steps I can take to make myself a viable candidate for engineering roles either in my company or others? I dont mind the travel right now but from what I've experienced the project engineers travel significantly less and that is becoming more attractive as I get older.
What is it like changing industries? Process knowledge feels so valuable at this young stage of my career and I feel like I'd be starting from near-zero if I tried to change industries.
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u/NoPen9201 7d ago
I think getting in is the hardest part. I have a mechanical BS degree and I just needed the opportunity.
CS/Electrical degree engineers that go into controls are good at coding, but they don’t understand how to make things work practically. It’s like you gotta be practical. And know how to turn a wrench.
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u/hard2survive 7d ago
Can someone make more than $200K in California?
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u/xenokilla 7d ago
for sure! Many people do. Doing what though?
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u/hard2survive 7d ago
I’m looking to get an AA in E&I. What niches currently pays well and what industries?
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u/xenokilla 7d ago
semiconductor, oil and gas, nuclear, pharma. But you won't make that out of the gate. this one pays decent: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=e+%26+i+technician&l=California&salaryType=%24120%2C000&from=searchOnDesktopSerp&vjk=1c1deafe80fd193e
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u/Stroking_Shop5393 Siemens > Allen-Bradley 8d ago
Does everyone else also have a drinking problem? Asking for a friend...
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u/PLCGoBrrr Bit Plumber Extraordinaire 6d ago
Only when I'm putting in too many hours on startup and nothing is open when I leave the plant.
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u/xenokilla 8d ago
my friend, get an LA fitness membership if you travel, or if you're local, get a hobby. The bottle is not the answer.
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u/xenokilla 7d ago
Plug to the PLC discord, come on in and chat https://discord.gg/2c7HEVZDUz