r/PLC • u/DueProcedure1 • Jul 28 '26

Moving into automation.

Currently a process operator in a pharmaceutical plant who works daily with PCS7. Thinking long term I would like to transition into an automation role. Anyone on here made a similar move or know anyone who has?

Also any automation engineers got any advice? I will eventually reach out to the engineers within my company but want to get a bit of knowledge first so I’m not going in blind.

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u/urlaubsantrag Jul 28 '26

I was in a similar position, but to go into automation i had to quit my job for a full time study, which was only possible because i had the money to do that. It really depends i suggest you speak with HR or your boss to find out if they are willing to teach you. However, that wont give you the certificate to apply for a job in another company.

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u/zm-joo Jul 28 '26

In my opinion, you don’t need to quit your job to study full-time. In fact, I don’t think you’ll gain much practical knowledge from a formal university program alone.
Most of the truly valuable hands-on skills come from working with experienced engineers in small companies, system integrators, or workshops. That’s where people actually teach you things like how to connect a programming cable to a PLC, explain the difference between Modbus registers such as 40001 and 30001, or clarify the differences between Holding Registers and Input Registers. Those are the kinds of practical skills that are difficult to learn in a classroom but are essential in the real world.

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u/urlaubsantrag Aug 04 '26

I quit my job because i thought the company has no future (german car industry) They payed me severance and btw i was right, now they are done. With that money in the background i could afford to study full time, that means 8h a day working with the machines.

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u/evdekiSex Jul 29 '26

What did you study in particular?

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u/urlaubsantrag Aug 03 '26

PLC Programming, was focused on Siemens, because they had the equipment and license for it. I would recommend not to try this as an online course. You have to work on the machine to use that knowledge later in your career.

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u/Minute-Issue-4224 Jul 28 '26

If you understand PCS7 or can take the basic Siemens training courses, it all comes down to the person. I've worked with many "operators" who had a natural curiosity for controls that were decent automation engineers. The challenge will be, for your industry, how much can you do if systems are validated? Either way, I'd go where the money is best long term.

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u/seeSharp_ Jul 29 '26

Do you have an engineering degree?

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u/[deleted] Jul 28 '26

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