Why is Hiring Industrial Automation Engineers so Difficult?

There is a growing reliance on industrial automation across the industry. However, businesses are struggling to secure the skilled engineers that they need. You’d think that, due to the increased investment in automation, finding skilled talent would be no problem at all. Unfortunately, that’s not the case we’ve been seeing.

But why is hiring industrial automation engineers so difficult?

In this article, we’ll cover the main reasons as to why this is the case, from the specialised skill sets all the way to some hiring solutions.

The industrial automation engineer shortage is growing

This automation transition, while it is exactly what the industry needed, has brought on a whole new problem. That problem is that the talent pipeline can’t keep up with the acceleration of automation.

Demand is increasing for the more specialized roles like PLC programmers, robotics engineers, and system integrators. And what completes this whole catch-22 situation? The fact that many of the experienced and highly qualified engineers are nearing their retirement.

Digitisation in manufacturing and Industry 4.0 has also intensified competition for this talent.

Why industrial automation roles are so hard to fill

Highly specialized skill sets

Automation engineers are generally required to have a blend of electrical engineering, programming exposure, and mechanical systems knowledge. But that’s not all. These engineers need that hands-on commissioning experience, and a bit of networking ability. Unfortunately, these skills are rarely mastered through tertiary education alone.

Unrealistic hiring expectations

Naturally, with a lot of companies, we see them searching for the “perfect” candidate that has years and years of experience across multiple platforms and technologies, and the necessary education. Then you see this “qualification creep” in job descriptions. This further shrinks the candidate pool unnecessarily.

And then you’re just left with a position that seems impossible to fill.

Long hiring processes

When an interview process is droning on, this causes companies to lose candidates to faster-moving competitors. All the best candidates are snatched up, and then you either have no one to fill your role or you have to settle for someone less qualified.

The industry has an image problem

Younger engineers are often drawn to software development, AI startups, or even tech companies instead of industrial automation. Careers in industrial automation are generally less visible despite offering some strong long-term opportunities.

This sector lacks a clear professional identity compared to the more mainstream tech industries. Candidates could also be deterred by the challenging nature of working in a plant.

How the talent shortage impacts businesses

You’d feel it when your automation projects are delayed, your labor costs start to increase, innovation is a bit on the slower side, your existing teams start to feel higher levels of burnout, and there is a general reduction in your competitiveness within the market.

Some may even struggle to fully utilise automation investments because they still lack the skilled engineers needed to implement and maintain systems.

What you can do to improve hiring success

Start to invest in training and graduate development. Many businesses may need to hire for potential rather than expecting fully qualified experts.

This is where mentorships, apprenticeships, and partnerships with technical schools come in. The advantage? You’d be able to nurture your own talent and shift the image of the industry.

Simplify the job requirements. Be realistic when it comes to your job descriptions, and don’t take the focus away from core competencies instead of excessive wish lists.

Next, improve your branding as an employer. Try promoting the fact that you can offer career progression, innovative opportunities, exposure to advanced technologies, and maybe even flexible work arrangements where possible.

Finally, speed up your recruitment. Stop getting hung up on the nitty-gritty details of what your ideal candidate should have, because faster decision-making is critical in this highly competitive hiring market.

The automation skills gap will require long-term solutions

The industrial automation engineer shortage is driven by rapid technological growth, retiring expertise, and limited talent pipelines. Those who are willing to invest in training, realistic hiring strategies, and workforce development will be positioned to secure automation talent in the years ahead.