What job title are you working under?

I work for a medical device company, and we regularly post ads for employment trying to attract PLC programmers. The controls group at my company have a title of Engineering Technician. We advertise this title, but usually get people that are more mechanic than they are PLC programmers. To me, this title brings up an image of some sort of engineering helper, not a programmer. Out of curiosity, what are some of the forum member job titles at their place of business?

Currently - Engineer, Instrumentation and Controls
Formerly - Process Automation Analyst

Formerly, Automation specialist, Controls Engineer.

Current, Retired.

My job title is Engineering Technician, and I do a little of everything. From programming to fabrication to installations, including mechanical. Call me whatever you want, just show me the money.

about that "money" thing ...

we regularly post ads for employment trying to attract PLC programmers.

Click to expand...

just a friendly question for you ... do you happen to mention a salary range in those ads? ...

most of the guys "out in the trenches" already have jobs - and many of them (most?) are making pretty good money ... even if they do happen to come across your ads, what is their motivation for jumping through the hoops involved in applying - and interviewing - etc. - just to find out that the salary is less than what they're already making? ...

yes, I am aware that posting a salary range "up front" runs contrary to what many "human resources" consultants advise ... but then again - if you're not posting a range - and you're not getting enough QUALIFIED applicants - well, then maybe that's something that needs to be considered ...

I've been an electrical engineer several times, a controls engineer, and a systems integrator. Personally, as someone with an engineering degree, I would be pretty hesitant at applying for a job with "technician" in the job title. For me, technician implies more along the lines of tweaking existing projects while engineer implies all that along with projects from scratch.

What is the job description that you're using with that job title?

Also, I agree with Ron. Having a ballpark salary number is a plus for me as a potential job hunter. Let me know if we're even close to each other before I go through the effort of applying.

We use Automation Engineer.
On site though we are referred to as electricians, and are responsible for all included in the chain from insulatoon testing a motor to the process database in the office...
No job site has a fitting label and filling in "standard" forms is always impossible...

Thanks for all of your replies! The current job description that is being used does not include a salary range. I'll have to see if our HR department can/will include this information in future postings. Once again, I appreciate the feedback on this!

Sr. Programmer Analyst
IS/IT department
Electrical engineer
controls engineer
electrical maintenance and technician
electrician
mechanical designer and fabrication
Purchasing & receiving
Safety

I wear numerous hats throughout the day.
james

I don't know if it will help you get any more applicants, but "Chief S***kicker and Miracle Worker" is probably more accurate than you'd think

I would put PLC Programmer as the tittle. Or automation specialist something that says hey if you know PLC click here. I know that may be a little strange but I would call/apply for that.

Technician implies more of a "hey, just do your best, whatever. It should work fine, but if you can open the PLC program and determine that a DI isn't coming on you could save us a bit of downtime."

Engineer implies "look, we want you to use your knowledge of how things work to make things work. Make them work well."

Personally I search for SCADA and go through all the ads, then I search for PLC Engineer and go through all of the ads. Engineer helps avoid most of those "Lawyer needed for John Smith PLC" ads. I usually gloss over anything with technician in the title. Also generic ones that don't mention an engineering discipline usually end up being for civil engineering.

Also, for great candidates, advertise what sort of process it is. If I am happy enough at my current job, but haven't figured out how to unsubscribe from job adverts in my inbox, if I see "PLC Engineer" I'm not going to bother filling out an application. But if I see "PLC Engineer at 50MW Glass Plant", I might get excited enough to shoot over a CV and cover letter. This even works if you have what some would consider a terrible process like "PLC Engineer at slaughterhouse".

+1 to including a salary. There is a huge difference between what a good PLC Engineer and a mediocre PLC engineer earn, and also a huge difference between what a PLC Engineer in a 'nice' industry and a PLC in a 'nasty' industry earns.

Shipper (order filler) (40%)
Punching Bag (30%)
Janitor (10%)
Tech Support (10%)
Integrator (8%)
Data Entry (Taxes/paperwork) (6%)
Programmer (3%)
Oh yah..... forgot one, Owner

And yes its more than 100% because im working all the time

Engineering technician sure doesn't sound like a PLC programmer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_technician

In the past, been known as :

Controls Engineer
Senior Controls Engineer
Site Electrical Engineer
Area Engineer
Principal Electrical Engineer

Replied to this advert for "controls engineer" at a salary lower than I was on, but job description was vague...so I was intrigued...

After 3 interviews, I was offered the job and a salary similar to what I was already on, and the title of the job was changed to "Measurement and Controls Engineer" to allow me to get that salary, as other Controls Engineers in the company were on the lesser salary, and had a role more of a technician...
We then talked about a job description - covering PLCs, SCADA, networks, Electrical Engineering, but decided not to, in case it made me responsible for some things....so the only part I do not do in this job is the High Voltage (11kV) side..