Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 13 replies
  • Subscribers 9 subscribers
  • Views 348 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Best route into a hands-on roles involving control & automation?

Tim Hadland
Hi

I would greatly appreciate some advice/recommendations to help make a change of career direction to a hands-on role in control & automation away from being a marine engineer currently desk based managing new-build ship construction. 

I have recently made some job applications to roles which involve programming PLCs, SCADA, setting up inverter drives etc.. but to no avail. Fair enough, since I would not hit the ground running. Some roles also require electrical qualifications which I do not have (My seagoing qualitifactions do not qualify me for land based work) so I have looked at doing C&G2365 levels 2 &3 including 17th edition as a way into working with industrial automation and controls, perhaps by working as a multi-skilled maintenance engineer within a factory? 

My background is that I have worked at sea as an engineer officer in the Merchant Navy, gained a masters degree in marine engineering, and have worked for a diesel engine manufacturer for many years.

Will contact this colleage tomorrow to ask their advice too, as their courses look promising: www.technicaltrainingsolutions.co.uk/index.html

cheers

Tim
Parents
  • 0
    Thanks Andy, very helpful.

    I was an applications engineer for a diesel and gas engine manufacturer covering all applications (oil, gas, marine ,rail, CHP) which included work with engine ECUs, propulsion control systems, Deepsea, Comap controllers for generator sets etc..

    I last applied for a company who manufacturered X-Ray machines for airports, which involved PLCs and drives, but I did have enough relevant experience.

    Not specifically looking at marine, and given my understanding of processes as a marine engineer feel that side would be most appropriate as I can understand what is being controlled which would help me. I feel that limiting myself to a specific marine equipment manufacturer would mean I may long term loose interest, best perhaps as a contractor? One thing I liked at sea was the variety of equipment to operate and maintain.

    At home I play with Arduinos and Raspberry Pis to learn more electronics and programming, and have partly built up my own AC motor controller for my DIY electric car, so I hope this can help also.

    The most important thing for me is to be hands-on with enough of a technical challenge, hopefully using my degree which included control theory, Matlab and Labview experience. 

    Cheers

    Tim
Reply
  • 0
    Thanks Andy, very helpful.

    I was an applications engineer for a diesel and gas engine manufacturer covering all applications (oil, gas, marine ,rail, CHP) which included work with engine ECUs, propulsion control systems, Deepsea, Comap controllers for generator sets etc..

    I last applied for a company who manufacturered X-Ray machines for airports, which involved PLCs and drives, but I did have enough relevant experience.

    Not specifically looking at marine, and given my understanding of processes as a marine engineer feel that side would be most appropriate as I can understand what is being controlled which would help me. I feel that limiting myself to a specific marine equipment manufacturer would mean I may long term loose interest, best perhaps as a contractor? One thing I liked at sea was the variety of equipment to operate and maintain.

    At home I play with Arduinos and Raspberry Pis to learn more electronics and programming, and have partly built up my own AC motor controller for my DIY electric car, so I hope this can help also.

    The most important thing for me is to be hands-on with enough of a technical challenge, hopefully using my degree which included control theory, Matlab and Labview experience. 

    Cheers

    Tim
Children
No Data

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines