16 Process Control Engineer Interview Questions (With Example Answers)
It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various process control engineer interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common Process Control Engineer Interview Questions
- What are your primary responsibilities as a process control engineer?
- What is your experience in process control and automation?
- What industries have you worked in with process control?
- What processes have you been responsible for controlling?
- What automation systems have you used in your process control engineering career?
- What PLCs have you programmed?
- What DCSs have you configured?
- Have you ever implemented an industrial network? If so, which one(s)?
- What HMI/SCADA software have you used?
- Have you ever written a function block or sequence program? If so, for which controller?
- What experience do you have with field devices such as sensors, actuators, and valves?
- Have you ever performed a loop tuning or optimization project? If so, which method did you use?
- What experience do you have with safety instrumented systems (SIS)?
- Have you ever been involved in a project involving batch processing? If so, what type of system did you use?
- What knowledge do you have of international standards such as ISA, IEC, and IEEE?
- Do you have any experience with commissioning and start-up of process control systems?
What are your primary responsibilities as a process control engineer?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask this question. First, they want to get a sense of what the process control engineer does on a day-to-day basis. This will help the interviewer understand the scope of the position and the engineer's level of experience. Second, the interviewer wants to know if the engineer is familiar with the specific process being controlled. This knowledge is critical for ensuring that the process runs smoothly and efficiently. Finally, the interviewer wants to know if the engineer has a solid understanding of the principles of process control. This understanding is necessary for troubleshooting any problems that may arise during the process.
Example: “The primary responsibilities of a process control engineer include developing and maintaining process control systems, ensuring the quality and efficiency of production processes, and optimizing production processes. They also work closely with other engineers and technicians to troubleshoot process issues and develop new process control strategies.”
What is your experience in process control and automation?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the candidate's experience in process control and automation. This is important because it shows whether or not the candidate has the necessary skills to perform the job.
Example: “I have experience in process control and automation from my previous job as a process engineer. I was responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of process control systems. I have also worked on projects involving the integration of new technologies into existing process control systems.”
What industries have you worked in with process control?
There are many process control engineer roles that are industry specific. For example, the process control engineer for a pharmaceutical company will have different responsibilities than the process control engineer for a food and beverage company. The interviewer is trying to determine if the candidate has the necessary experience for the specific industry.
Example: “I have worked in a variety of industries with process control, including the food and beverage industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the chemical industry, and the oil and gas industry.”
What processes have you been responsible for controlling?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the engineer's experience and expertise in process control. This is important because process control is a critical part of many industrial and manufacturing operations. It is responsible for ensuring that processes run smoothly and efficiently, and that product quality is maintained. A good process control engineer will have a thorough understanding of the various process control methods and be able to select the best option for each particular process.
Example: “I have been responsible for controlling various processes in my career thus far. Some of the processes I have controlled include manufacturing processes, quality control processes, and assembly line processes. I have also been responsible for controlling environmental processes, such as water and air treatment processes.”
What automation systems have you used in your process control engineering career?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the candidate's experience with process control engineering and automation systems. This is important because the candidate's experience will dictate how well they can perform the job.
Example: “I have used a variety of automation systems in my process control engineering career, including Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. I have also used a variety of software packages for configuring and programming these systems, including Wonderware InTouch, Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View, Siemens Step 7, and GE Cimplicity.”
What PLCs have you programmed?
PLCs, or programmable logic controllers, are devices that are used to control and automate industrial processes. They are often used in process control applications, such as in the petrochemical and oil and gas industries. The interviewer is likely asking this question to gauge the candidate's experience with PLCs and their ability to program them. This is important because the candidate's ability to program PLCs will directly impact their ability to perform their job duties.
Example: “I have programmed various PLCs from different manufacturers, including Allen Bradley, Siemens, Omron, and Mitsubishi. Each PLC has its own specific programming language, so it is important to be familiar with the syntax and semantics of each one. In general, however, most PLC programming languages share some common features, such as ladder logic diagrams or function block diagrams.”
What DCSs have you configured?
DCSs, or distributed control systems, are important in process control engineering because they allow for the automated monitoring and control of process variables. This can help to improve process efficiency and safety.
Example: “I have configured DCSs from various manufacturers, such as ABB, Siemens, Honeywell, and Rockwell. I have also configured DCSs for different process industries, such as oil and gas, power generation, chemical processing, and food and beverage.”
Have you ever implemented an industrial network? If so, which one(s)?
An interviewer might ask a Process Control Engineer if they have ever implemented an industrial network because it is an important skill for the position. Industrial networks are used to connect process control equipment and devices so that they can communicate with each other. This can be important for coordinating processes and improving efficiency.
Example: “Yes, I have implemented several industrial networks, including Ethernet, Profibus, and Modbus.”
What HMI/SCADA software have you used?
There are many reasons why an interviewer might ask a process control engineer about the HMI/SCADA software they have used. Some of these reasons include:
1. To gauge the engineer's level of experience with process control systems.
2. To determine whether the engineer is familiar with the specific software that is used in the company's process control system.
3. To assess the engineer's ability to troubleshoot and configure HMI/SCADA software.
4. To understand the engineer's approach to designing and implementing process control systems.
5. To determine whether the engineer is familiar with the latest trends and developments in HMI/SCADA technology.
Example: “I have used a variety of HMI/SCADA software, including Wonderware InTouch, Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View, Siemens WinCC, and ABB 800xA. I have also used a number of smaller, more specialized HMIs such as GE Cimplicity and Iconics Genesis64.”
Have you ever written a function block or sequence program? If so, for which controller?
Process control engineers design and oversee the operation of industrial process control systems. These systems use various types of equipment, including function blocks and sequence programs, to automate the process. The interviewer is asking if the candidate has experience with these types of programs in order to gauge their knowledge of process control systems.
Example: “I have written function blocks and sequence programs for various controllers, including PLCs, DCSs, and PACs. I have also written custom functions and programs for specific applications.”
What experience do you have with field devices such as sensors, actuators, and valves?
The interviewer is asking about the process control engineer's experience with field devices because this is an important part of the job. Field devices are used to control processes and need to be properly installed and maintained. A process control engineer with experience in this area will be able to ensure that the devices are installed correctly and are working properly.
Example: “I have experience with various field devices such as sensors, actuators, and valves. I have worked with these devices in both the laboratory and industrial settings. I am familiar with the installation, calibration, and troubleshooting of these devices. I have also developed process control schemes that utilize these devices to optimize process performance.”
Have you ever performed a loop tuning or optimization project? If so, which method did you use?
One of the main responsibilities of a process control engineer is to optimize process control loops. There are many different methods that can be used to optimize a process control loop, and the interviewer is trying to determine which method the candidate is most familiar with. This is important because the interviewer wants to know if the candidate has the necessary skills to perform the job.
Example: “Yes, I have performed a loop tuning or optimization project before. I used the PID method to optimize the process control loop.”
What experience do you have with safety instrumented systems (SIS)?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask about a candidate's experience with safety instrumented systems. First, safety instrumented systems are an important part of many process control engineering jobs. Second, they can be complex and difficult to troubleshoot, so it is important to know whether a candidate has experience with them. Finally, they are regulated by various safety standards, so it is important to know whether a candidate is familiar with these standards.
Example: “I have experience with safety instrumented systems (SIS) from my work in the process control industry. I am familiar with the various components of SIS, including safety valves, pressure relief devices, and emergency shutdown systems. I have experience troubleshooting and repairing SIS components, as well as developing and implementing SIS test procedures.”
Have you ever been involved in a project involving batch processing? If so, what type of system did you use?
One reason an interviewer might ask this question is to gauge the engineer's experience with batch processing. This type of processing is often used in manufacturing and can be critical to the production process. If the engineer has experience with batch processing, they may be able to provide insights into how to improve the process or identify potential issues. The interviewer may also be interested in the types of systems the engineer has used in the past, as this can give insight into their understanding of different types of systems.
Example: “Yes, I have been involved in a project involving batch processing. I used a system called the Manufacturing Execution System (MES). This system is used to track and manage the production of products in a manufacturing environment. It is responsible for managing the production process from start to finish, including all aspects of material handling, equipment scheduling, and quality control.”
What knowledge do you have of international standards such as ISA, IEC, and IEEE?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask a Process Control Engineer about their knowledge of international standards such as ISA, IEC, and IEEE. Firstly, it is important for a Process Control Engineer to be aware of these international standards in order to be able to design and implement systems that meet these standards. Secondly, the interviewer may be interested in knowing whether the candidate is familiar with the process of designing and implementing systems that meet these standards. Finally, the interviewer may be interested in the candidate's ability to explain the importance of these standards to others.
Example: “I am familiar with the international standards ISA, IEC, and IEEE. These standards are important for process control engineers to know because they provide guidance on how to design and operate safe and effective systems. I have used these standards in my work to develop process control strategies and specifications for new facilities and projects.”
Do you have any experience with commissioning and start-up of process control systems?
One of the main responsibilities of a process control engineer is to commission and start up process control systems. This involves working with the system vendors to ensure that the system meets the specifications laid out in the design documents, and then working with the plant personnel to ensure that the system is properly integrated into the existing process control infrastructure. This is a critical role, as it ensures that the process control system is able to perform its intended function and that the plant is able to operate safely and efficiently.
Example: “Yes, I have experience with commissioning and start-up of process control systems. I have worked on various types of process control systems, including Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. I have also been involved in the development of commissioning procedures and test plans for process control systems.”