The appeal of a PLC programmer job depends heavily on the audience you’re asking, but here’s a breakdown:
General Market Appeal (Score: 40–60/100)
To the average job seeker, the role of a PLC programmer:
- May seem technical, niche, and less glamorous than software or web development.
- Involves factory environments, travel, and sometimes long hours during commissioning, which not everyone finds attractive.
- Is less visible in media and pop culture, so it lacks broader recognition.
Among Engineers/Technicians (Score: 75–90/100)
For those who enjoy:
- Hands-on work with machines
- Solving complex automation problems
- Seeing their code move physical systems
- Working in automotive, robotics, or high-end production
…it’s a highly rewarding career. Many seasoned engineers love the challenge, independence, and impact of their work—especially when projects involve international travel and cutting-edge tech.
But why PLC programming is the most underrated job in Engineering
In the world of industrial automation, few roles are as misunderstood—and as vital—as that of the PLC programmer. While full-stack developers and AI engineers dominate headlines, the engineers who write the logic that powers real-world machines often fly under the radar. But step into any automotive plant, and you’ll see it clearly: without great PLC programming, nothing moves.
At KPD Automation, we work closely with machine tool builders and OEMs, and we’ve seen firsthand how elite PLC engineers can make or break a commissioning timeline. We’ve also noticed something else: PLC programming is one of the most quietly rewarding paths in engineering.
It’s Problem-Solving at Its Purest
If you’re the kind of person who gets satisfaction from solving complex, real-time problems, PLC programming is your playground. You’re not pushing pixels—you’re making physical systems work together flawlessly. You write the logic that keeps an entire machine alive and functioning, often under extreme requirements for safety, precision, and speed.
In other words, this is where software meets steel.
You Get to Know Machines—Intimately
PLC engineers develop a unique sense for machines. At KPD, our engineers often describe it like this: “You start to hear what a machine needs. You know when something’s not quite right—even before the alarms start.”
This intuitive understanding doesn’t come from textbooks. It’s earned through time on the floor, testing, optimizing, and watching systems behave. It’s engineering with instincts.
The Work Is Global
Our engineers have worked on automation projects across Europe—including high-profile jobs like the GROB Group in Germany. The opportunity to travel, see new manufacturing environments, and collaborate with international teams is baked into this career.
You’re not just coding from a desk. You’re commissioning on-site, testing live systems, and solving real-world issues with real-world stakes.
The Industry Needs You—and Pays Accordingly
There’s a quiet shortage of truly skilled PLC programmers, especially those who can work with Siemens systems (TIA Portal, S7, WIN CC) and who understand automotive standards like VASS or Ford. OEMs are looking for professionals who don’t need micromanagement, who understand processes, and who can deliver.
That’s exactly the kind of engineers we train and hire at KPD Automation.
Ready to Work on Real Machines That Matter?
PLC programming isn’t just a job—it’s a vocation for engineers who think with precision, act with confidence, and don’t shy away from complexity.
If you’re a mid-to-senior automation engineer with 5+ years of experience, and you’re looking for real responsibility and real results, we want to hear from you.
Join the team that understands machines.
www.kpdautomation.com/careers
…it’s a highly rewarding career. Many seasoned engineers love the challenge, independence, and impact of their work—especially when projects involve international travel and cutting-edge tech.