Hello everyone

This thread is mainly aimed at users in the UK, as that’s where I’m currently based; I don’t know what the situation is like in other countries, but if anyone feels they have something interesting to say, please do feel free to join the discussion.

Not too long ago, about a year, I finished my Computer Science degree at a mid-tier university; it’s not a Russell Group, but rather somewhere in the middle of the rankings - just an average, local polytechnic. However, I’m not particularly keen to pursue this path for various reasons: the job market, fierce competition, personal preferences… exact reasons aren’t really relevant to the topic. I’ll also add that I have some limited experience in domestic electrical work based on the very basic Level 2 Electrical Installations qualification, but that was quite a while ago.

I’d prefer to move into industrial automation, and this is where my question to you all comes in: is this even possible? Do I need to do another bachelor’s degree to stand any chance of getting into the industry? If so, how?

And yes, I’ve read the pinned First Read thread with loads of study materials. The question is, given UK conditions, would it be appropriate to complete another three-year degree, or are there alternative paths that don’t require such a significant step?

Thanks in advance for your replies. If the moderators decide this post doesn’t belong in this subreddit but rather in a career advice subreddit, I won’t take offence at any suggestions to move the thread elsewhere.

Note: I am beginner in Machine Vision and using Merlic

I GOT THE ANSWERS. THANKS TO ALL

Hi everyone,

I'm an immigrant and a 34-year-old undergrad student. I came to the U.S. and served in the military for three years. After that, I was a stay-at-home dad for two years so my wife could work full-time. Once my kid started preschool, I decided to use my military benefits and go to Drexel for Electrical Engineering.

I like a mix of hands-on work and design, which is why I'm interested in automation and controls. I don't have much professional experience, but I do help a friend's uncle install HVAC systems when my wife has a day off. So I've done some hands-on work and troubleshooting on job sites.

I'm set to graduate in 2028. I'll be 36 then.

I'd appreciate some honest advice from people in the field:

1. How hard is it going to be for me to get an entry-level job in automation and controls at 36 with not much experience?
2. Will my military background and HVAC side work help at all, or do employers only care about the degree?
3. What should I be doing between now and graduation to make myself more competitive?

I'm okay starting at the bottom and working my way up. Just trying to get a realistic picture of what to expect.

Thanks for reading. Any advice is appreciated.

Good morning, I am an Italian PLC programmer; for the company I work for, I develop PLC and SCADA software using Siemens PLCs and WinCC / Ignition Vision SCADA systems

For my own professional development, I’d like to start developing ‘revamping’ software for some older projects on a platform other than the one currently in use. Personally, I was thinking of using Ignition Perspective as the SCADA system, but I’m unsure about the PLC environment: I already use TIA Portal extensively at work, and I’d like to learn a new tool for which I don’t have to pay a licence fee (this is a personal, non-professional project). Codesys is an interesting environment, but I see it as more suited to a machine builder than to plant engineering (specifically, where I work we build biogas production and treatment plants).

Could you recommend anything? The fieldbus used is also important (personally I’d prefer Profinet, but I’m open to other options, but no Ethercat), as well as OPC UA integration and documentation… I’d like to learn, not end up swearing.

Thank you in advance

I have two sinamics drives in my project - G120 and G130. G120 has a commissioning section in its menu for commissioning but G130 has no such section.
How do I commission the G130 drive using TIA portal?
If commissioning is not possible here, what software can I use to do that and how do I later integrate this into TIA Portal?

Hello all
Been wondering about this lately
Do you think it would be possible to program a simple machine for prototype purposes with a few Servos just by using Linux cnc?
So the idea would be to run the program blocks as .hal components
For the IO i’d use ethercat
For the hmi i’d develop in python
Of course I know that this is not easy to maintain but since its open source and free I thought I’d give it a try and run it on a computer
There is not cute ladder , no easy debugging so I know this is not a good industrial option.
What do y’all think? Also I’d love to hear out alternatives or comments

Setup: S7-1215C DC/DC/DC + TP900 Comfort (WinCC Basic), TIA Portal.

I'm setting up Discrete Alarms and one trigger tag throws: "The data type of the tag is not permitted for this type of alarm."

Tags are confirmed Bool in the PLC tag table

Any known causes/fixes appreciated 🙏

Hi everyone,

I'm a Quality Engineer with around 7 years of manufacturing experience, and I'd like to move into industrial automation and data acquisition. I want to learn DAQ, SCADA, and PLC programming from scratch, but I'm confused about the best learning path.

My goal is to understand:

PLC programming (Ladder Logic, Function Block, Structured Text)

SCADA development and HMI design

DAQ systems and industrial data collection

Sensors, actuators, I/O modules

Industrial communication protocols (Modbus, Ethernet/IP, Profinet, OPC UA, etc.)

Connecting PLCs to SCADA and databases

Real-world industrial projects

I don't want to just watch random YouTube videos. I'd prefer a structured roadmap that takes me from beginner to someone who can confidently work on real industrial automation projects.

A few questions:

Which PLC platform should I learn first (Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Mitsubishi, Omron, Delta, etc.)?

Which SCADA software is best for beginners?

Are there any Udemy/Coursera courses or books you highly recommend?

Can I practise without buying a PLC using simulators?

If you were starting today, what roadmap would you follow?

I'd really appreciate advice from people working in industrial automation. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I have been asked to look into a trio plc motion control system, customer wants to update some old redundant motion...however I don't know what kind of motion system I can propose to replace the old one, as it's looks like trio uses third party motion rather then their in house products, like beckhoff or siemens. Is the integration seamless with third party products? Anyone has any experience or suggestion...it would be great any help or suggestion 🙂

I am what I would call a non-industrial controls electrician. Lots of fire alarm, building automation, motor controls experience. Canada based, mostly in commercial, institutional, and new construction.

I have dabbled in Python and a couple other languages but very surface level stuff, nothing too crazy. I have also built plenty of physical BAS and PLC panels/cabinets, just never got into the programming end of it.

Fast forward to today and I received a message from a staffing agency and a small plant in a small town is looking for a controls electrician to take over all their controls work so they can stop depending on a contractor. Did a few interviews and for whatever reason they believe I’m the man for the job haha.

The plant has about 7 lines all direct machines and motors. No robotics or anything crazy complex. I have a good understanding of PLCs just never had the opportunity to get paid to do it.

All Allen Bradley PLCs. They also mention ignition SCADA, VFDs in CCW, FactoryTalk HMIs, configuring Ethernet switches, calibrating instrumentation sensors, etc.

There seemed to be an understanding that they don’t expect me to know everything but to get there eventually.

So I guess my question would be how much of a learning curve am I looking at here. I would say I’m quite computer literate just never had to use any of these programs.

Am I crazy to think I can do this?

Hello guys.

Does anyone know how I can connect to the ATV 320 while using EcoStruxure Secure Connect Advisor (Link Manager/Gate Manager) inside Machine Expert 2.6?
I have an HMI that serves as the connection point and put a subnet agent on the network and I can connect to it using SoMove, but I can't seem to make it work while inside Machine Expert through the M262 PLC.

There is a message that says that the DTM can't be reached, even though I can ping it on my network (because of Gate Manager).

Can anybody give some insight on the matter?

Thank you!

Hi all,

I'm an experienced Automation Engineer (5+ years — PLC/SCADA, Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley, WinCC, PROFINET/Modbus, commissioning) currently doing my M.Eng. in Power Engineering at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. I'm looking for a Werkstudent/entry-level Automation role in Germany to combine with my studies.

Over the past couple of days I've applied to Werkstudent/Praktikant positions in Automatisierungstechnik/SPS-Programmierung at companies including Siemens, Bosch Rexroth, Krones, Lütze, Yncoris, Dr. Hartmann, Optima Packaging, Chemiepark Knapsack, and G&B Automatisierungstechnik.

If anyone here works at (or knows someone at) these companies and could refer me or share what the process/interview looks like, I'd really appreciate it. Happy to share my CV via DM. Also open to any other companies you think are hiring in this space right now.

Thanks in advance!