🚨 Not getting automation engineer interviews? Your resume is missing critical automation keywords.

In 2026, over 97% of manufacturing and tech companies use ATS to filter automation engineer resumes before a hiring manager ever sees them. If your resume doesn't include the exact keywords from the job description, you're invisible—even with years of PLC programming and robotics experience.

This guide gives you 60+ ATS-approved automation engineer keywords, organized by PLCs, robotics, programming, and industrial systems.

👉 Scan Your Automation Engineer Resume for Missing Keywords — Free

Why Automation Engineer Resume Keywords Matter in 2026

Automation Engineer is one of the fastest-growing roles in 2026 according to LinkedIn and Reddit career communities, with "expected to grow as more production shifts to automation." The median salary ranges from $85,000 to $120,000+ with strong demand across manufacturing, automotive, and tech sectors.

Engineering recruiters rely heavily on ATS to filter through hundreds of automation engineer applications. According to LinkedIn's 2024 Global Talent Trends, automation and AI-related roles are among the top 10 fastest-growing positions globally.

If your resume doesn't include the exact PLC platforms, programming languages, and automation systems from the job description, you're filtered out—even if you've automated million-dollar production lines.

The Automation Engineer Keyword Gap Problem

Common scenario: An experienced automation engineer with 6+ years of PLC programming and robotics integration applies to 50 jobs and gets zero interviews.
Why? Their resume lists "programmed PLCs" and "worked with robots" but misses critical ATS keywords like "Allen-Bradley ControlLogix," "Ladder Logic Programming," "SCADA Systems," "HMI Design," "Robot Programming (ABB, FANUC)," and "Industrial Ethernet."

The solution: Use this comprehensive keyword guide to ensure your resume includes every term automation recruiters search for.

Table of Contents

• What Are Automation Engineer Resume Keywords?
• Top 10 Must-Have Automation Keywords
• PLC Programming Keywords
• Robotics & Motion Control Keywords
• HMI & SCADA Keywords
• Programming Languages & Software
• Industrial Networks & Communication
• Process Control & Manufacturing
• Before vs After Resume Examples
• FAQ
• Related Articles

What Are Automation Engineer Resume Keywords?

Automation engineer resume keywords are the specific PLC platforms, programming languages, robotics systems, and industrial automation technologies that ATS systems and engineering recruiters search for when screening resumes for automation engineering positions. These keywords typically include:

• PLC Platforms: Allen-Bradley (Rockwell), Siemens, Schneider Electric, Mitsubishi, Omron
• Programming: Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block Diagram, Python, C++, C#
• Robotics: Industrial robots (ABB, FANUC, KUKA), robot programming, motion control
• Systems: SCADA, HMI, DCS (Distributed Control Systems), MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems)

When your resume includes these keywords naturally and in context, ATS systems rank it higher, increasing your chances of reaching an engineering hiring manager.

Top 10 Must-Have Automation Keywords (2026)

If you only add 10 keywords to your resume, make it these. They appear in 90%+ of automation engineer job descriptions.

60+ Essential Automation Engineer Resume Keywords (2026)

Our analysis of hundreds of automation engineer job postings reveals these must-have keywords.

📚 Part of our Complete Resume Keywords List — browse 50+ role-specific guides.

🔗 For controls engineering roles, see our Controls Engineer Resume Keywords Guide.

PLC Programming Keywords

Robotics & Motion Control Keywords

HMI & SCADA Keywords

Programming Languages & Software Keywords

Industrial Networks & Communication Keywords

Process Control & Manufacturing Keywords

Electrical & Instrumentation Keywords

Project Management & Lifecycle Keywords

Soft Skills for Automation Engineers

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Before vs. After: Automation Engineer Resume Examples

❌ Weak Example 1

"Programmed PLCs and worked with robots."

✅ Optimized Example 1

"Developed PLC programs using Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and Ladder Logic for automotive assembly lines, integrating FANUC robots to achieve 30% reduction in cycle time and 99.5% uptime across 15+ production cells."

❌ Weak Example 2

"Created HMI screens and monitored systems."

✅ Optimized Example 2

"Designed HMI/SCADA systems using FactoryTalk View and Ignition, implementing alarm management, real-time trending, and production reporting dashboards that improved operator efficiency by 25% and reduced downtime by 40%."

❌ Weak Example 3

"Worked on automation projects."

✅ Optimized Example 3

"Led end-to-end automation projects from design through commissioning, including PLC programming (Siemens S7-1500), robot integration (ABB IRC5), HMI development, and Ethernet/IP networking, delivering $2M+ capital projects on time and under budget."

How to Structure Your Automation Engineer Resume Keywords

1. Summary Section

Include 5-6 high-value keywords.

Example: "Automation Engineer with 8+ years experience in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens), robotics integration (FANUC, ABB), and HMI/SCADA development. Proven track record of delivering industrial automation solutions for automotive, packaging, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Skilled in Python, Ladder Logic, and process optimization."

2. Skills Section

Organize by category for ATS parsing.

PLC Programming:
• Allen-Bradley (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, Studio 5000)
• Siemens (S7-1500, TIA Portal), Ladder Logic, Structured Text

Robotics & Motion Control:
• FANUC, ABB, KUKA Robot Programming, Teach Pendant, Motion Control
• Servo Motors, VFDs, Vision Systems (Cognex)

HMI/SCADA:
• FactoryTalk View, Ignition SCADA, WinCC, Wonderware
• Alarm Management, Data Logging, Graphics Design

Programming & Tools:
• Python, C++, MATLAB, AutoCAD Electrical, Git

Industrial Networks:
• Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Profinet, OPC UA, Industrial IoT

3. Experience Bullets

Weave keywords into accomplishments with metrics.

Examples:

• "Programmed Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLCs using Ladder Logic and Structured Text for high-speed packaging lines, achieving 45% throughput increase and 99.8% OEE through PID loop tuning and process optimization."
• "Integrated FANUC robots with PLC control systems via Ethernet/IP, developing robot programs for pick-and-place, palletizing, and machine tending applications that reduced labor costs by $500K annually."
• "Designed and deployed HMI/SCADA systems using Ignition and FactoryTalk View, implementing real-time monitoring, alarm management, and production tracking for 15+ production lines across 3 manufacturing facilities."
• "Led FAT and SAT for $3M+ automation projects, coordinating commissioning, startup, and operator training for pharmaceutical batch control systems compliant with ISA-88 and FDA 21 CFR Part 11."

Entry-Level Automation Engineer Keywords

If you're a new automation engineer or recent graduate, emphasize:

Entry-Level Automation Engineer Summary Example: "Automation Engineer with Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and hands-on experience in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Ladder Logic), HMI development, and robotics. Completed capstone project automating manufacturing cell using ControlLogix PLC and FANUC robot integration. Proficient in Python, MATLAB, and AutoCAD Electrical."

FAQ

How many automation engineer keywords should I use?

Use 25-30 keywords that match the job description. Focus on PLC platforms (Allen-Bradley, Siemens), programming languages (Ladder Logic, Python), robotics brands, and systems (SCADA, HMI) mentioned in the posting.

Should I include specific PLC brands?

Yes! Specify platforms you've worked with (Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, Siemens S7-1500, etc.). Brand-specific experience is highly valued and often required.

Do I need to list programming languages?

Absolutely. Include both PLC languages (Ladder Logic, Structured Text) and general programming languages (Python, C++). Many ATS systems filter by programming skills.

Should I emphasize industry-specific experience?

Yes, if relevant. Automotive, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, and oil & gas have unique automation requirements. Match the industry to the job description.

How do I show robot programming experience?

Include robot brands (FANUC, ABB, KUKA), programming methods (Teach Pendant, Offline Programming), and applications (pick-and-place, welding, palletizing).

Can I use the same automation engineer resume for all jobs?

No. Tailor your keywords based on the industry (automotive vs pharma), PLC platforms (Allen-Bradley vs Siemens), and project type (greenfield vs upgrades). ResumeAdapter helps you identify the right keywords for each role.

Related Articles

Internal Guides

• Complete Resume Keywords List Hub — Browse all role-specific keyword guides
• Data Engineer Resume Keywords — Data engineering and automation keywords
• Backend Developer Resume Keywords — Backend programming and systems
• Electrician Resume Keywords — Electrical systems and controls
• How to Pass ATS in 2026 — Complete ATS compatibility guide

External Resources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics - Industrial Engineers — Automation/industrial engineering job outlook
• ISA - International Society of Automation — Automation industry standards and certifications
• Rockwell Automation — Allen-Bradley PLC and automation training

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