What the Automation Community Says Is the Most Underrated Skill in Industrial Automation
We recently asked a simple question on LinkedIn:
“What’s the most underrated skill in industrial automation?”
The response from the community was incredible. Engineers, controls specialists, integrators, and automation professionals shared insights drawn from years (sometimes decades) of real-world experience.
While the answers varied, several themes came up again and again. Here are some of the most valuable perspectives from the discussion.
Communication Is More Important Than Many Engineers Realize
One of the most common responses was communication.
Many professionals pointed out that technical ability alone isn’t enough. The real challenge often lies in explaining complex systems and decisions to people with different levels of technical knowledge.
Operators, maintenance teams, managers, and executives all interact with automation systems differently. Being able to clearly explain changes, challenges, and solutions is a skill that experienced engineers rely on every day.
As Josh Barron shared in the discussion:
“Getting a system working is the bare minimum. The differentiator comes when you can explain the process, changes, and obstacles to all levels of technical knowledge.”
Soft Skills Matter, Especially in Difficult Situations
Several engineers emphasized the importance of soft skills, particularly when working with people who may not immediately agree with you.
Automation projects often involve multiple teams and high-pressure production environments. Patience, empathy, and the ability to collaborate can make a major difference in how smoothly projects progress.
In many cases, strong interpersonal skills help engineers turn potential conflicts into productive conversations.
The Ability to Solve Problems Step by Step
Automation professionals are frequently faced with problems that don’t have clear solutions.
One comment from Jeremy Adair captured a situation many engineers recognize:
“Sometimes you’re thrown something and think ‘I have no idea.’ The key is breaking the elephant into pieces and solving it step by step.”
This mindset, approaching complex problems methodically, is a hallmark of experienced automation professionals.
Understanding the Bigger Picture
Another theme that emerged from the discussion was the importance of understanding the business impact of engineering decisions.
Automation engineers often work at the intersection of technology and operations. Knowing how downtime, productivity, and return on investment affect the business helps engineers prioritize the most effective solutions.
Understanding the bigger picture allows engineers to design systems that support both technical performance and business goals.
Documentation and Preparation Are Underrated Skills
Several responses highlighted something surprisingly simple but incredibly important: writing things down.
Whether it’s creating a Functional Design Specification (FDS), documenting system logic, or mapping out processes before coding, good documentation can prevent many problems later in a project.
Planning before implementation helps teams align expectations and reduces troubleshooting time down the road.
Mechanical Fundamentals Still Matter
In an industry increasingly focused on digital technologies, some professionals reminded us not to overlook the basics.
Mechanical integrity and physical equipment are still critical parts of any automation system. Issues with belts, bearings, sensors, or pumps can often be mistaken for software or control problems.
Sometimes the fastest solution isn’t in the PLC program, it’s on the machine itself.
Knowing When to Ask for Help
Troubleshooting is a core skill in automation, but several engineers pointed out another important lesson: knowing when to ask for help.
There’s value in solving problems independently, but there’s also value in recognizing when someone else may already have the answer.
Calling technical support or collaborating with colleagues can save valuable time, especially when production is on the line.
Continuous Learning Is Essential
One final theme that appeared repeatedly was the importance of continuous learning.
Automation technology is evolving rapidly. Networking, cybersecurity, and IT/OT integration are becoming increasingly important as industrial systems become more connected.
Many engineers noted that the professionals who stand out are the ones who remain curious and treat every challenge as an opportunity to learn.
Final Thoughts
The conversation around underrated skills in automation revealed something important:
Success in this field goes far beyond programming PLCs or configuring control systems.
It requires a combination of:
Technical expertise
Communication skills
Problem-solving ability
Business awareness
Continuous learning
And perhaps most importantly, it requires learning from the community of professionals who face these challenges every day.
So we’ll ask again:
What do you think is the most underrated skill in industrial automation?
