Career Opportunities In Control Systems Engineering
The following article addresses career opportunities in control systems engineering.
It has appeared in
Careers In Engineering, Volume 11, Number 1, 1999
Control Systems Engineering: Career Tracks
By: Armando A. Rodriguez
The impact of control systems engineering is seen everywhere around us. Control systems are found in cars, house appliances, medical instrumentation, petrochemical refineries, commercial and military jets, robotic manufacturing systems, precision missile systems, etc. At the core of every control system are basic feedback principles. Feedback is arguably the key to designing any "intelligent system." After all, don't all of us rely on feedback to learn? Feedback principles are universally applicable. They are necessary, for example, in the design of electronic circuits, non-volatile stock portfolios, and modern medicines. Feedback control is everywhere!
What is control systems engineering?
Control systems engineering is a sub-branch of engineering which addresses modeling, analysis, design, and implementation of feedback control systems. Perhaps the best way to introduce feedback control systems is to refer to the cruise control system found in most cars. The cruise control system accepts a desired speed command from the driver. The actual speed of the vehicle is measured. This measurement is fed back and subtracted from the commanded speed to produce an error signal. This error signal is processed by a control system which figures out - on the basis of a mathematical model - how much fuel must be sent to the engine in order for the actual speed to "closely match" the commanded speed. The control system tries to achieve this close match in the presence of unmodeled wind disturbances and sensor noise as well as uncertain (or poorly modeled) vehicle/engine properties. In the above car example, the driver specifies speed commands. On autonomous vehicles (e.g. the voyager spacecraft), commands are generated by a guidance system; i.e. a higher level control system.
The above (very simplified) description captures the essence of feedback control systems. Similar control systems and feedback principles are found in many areas: satellite attitude control systems, launch vehicle guidance and control systems, modeling of neural cortex functions and other biological processes, semiconductor manufacturing furnace temperature control systems, environmental systems (e.g. ozone depletion), autonomous exploration vehicle guidance and control systems, etc.
What are related fields?
As suggested above, control systems engineering and feedback principles are found in all disciplines. Feedback control is inherently multidisciplinary. Feedback and controls are found in the following areas to name a few more: intelligent signal processing and communication systems, propulsion systems, smart structure and materials applications, securities portfolio management, disease modeling and treatment.
What do I need to learn about?
Control engineering involves modeling, analysis, design, and implementation. To model, analyze, and design feedback control systems, one must master basic mathematical objects such as continuous-time differential equations (analog world) and discrete-time difference equations (digital world). These basic concepts are typically taught in a junior/senior level classical control course. Such a course should involve the use of control system modeling, simulation, and design languages (e.g. Matlab, MatrixX, etc.).
To implement or build control systems, one should learn about general purpose computers and microprocessors, high- and low-level programming languages, data acquisition boards, virtual instrumentation software, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), field programmable logic gate arrays (FPGAs), and general circuit design. One must also learn about (i) sensors - devices used to measure critical variables, and (ii) actuators - devices used to generate forces, torques, etc. necessary to control the system under consideration. These are best learned through classes, independent study projects, and/or senior design projects.
What job opportunities exist for control engineers?
Modeling, analysis, design, and implementation are all vital components of control systems engineering. When all are considered, the job opportunities for control engineers are excellent. Graduating engineers which possess implementation/building skills should have no problem finding challenging positions. Individuals interested in modeling, analyzing, and designing control systems should note that mathematical maturity is essential. Controlling, for example, a critical communications satellite can not be taken lightly. System-specific modeling knowledge is important. If you want to control robots, for example, you should know something about how robots are modeled mathematically. Such knowledge can be obtained via independent study and senior design projects. Internship positions are also highly recommended. New graduates can find job opportunities in many areas: aerospace, chemical, medical instrumentation, semiconductor manufacturing, robotics, intelligent systems, etc.
How does graduate school fit in?
Graduate school is an excellent place to learn advanced mathematical (multivariable, nonlinear) concepts which are needed to design today's sophisticated control systems. This is particulary critical if an individual has aspirations to become one of the lead design engineers on a new system. This is also true if an individual is interested in research (e.g. developing the next generation of space exploration vehicles).
What is the future of control systems engineering?
With the advent of very powerful affordable PC technology in the 90's, the age of truly "intelligent systems" is about to takeoff. For the first time in history very powerful computational power is accessible to the average person. Expensive workstations, for example, are no longer needed to simulate the essential features of a high performance aircraft. This fact is not just evolutionary. It is revolutionary. Recent advances in computing, language, and networking technologies will open up and create many opportunities in the areas of systems and controls. These new technologies will significantly impact modeling, simulation, animation, and real-time (MoSART) control of dynamical systems. These technologies will enable engineers to better integrate the individual pieces which go into building complex systems.
What should I be when I grow up?
Everyone should love what they do. Control system engineering is a fascinating field which offers endless possibilities. Becoming a control engineer is not easy. It should be understood, however, that all things worthwhile require hard work. Work hard and good luck!