Here are the key skills required for PLC (Process Control Systems/PLC) Engineer jobs in the UAE:

Core Technical Skills

PLC Programming:

• Siemens (S7-300/400/1200/1500, TIA Portal) - most in-demand
• Allen-Bradley/Rockwell (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, RSLogix/Studio 5000)
• Schneider Electric (Modicon, Unity Pro)
• Mitsubishi, Omron - secondary demand

SCADA/HMI Systems:

• WinCC, FactoryTalk View, Wonderware InTouch
• Ignition SCADA increasingly popular
• Basics of historian systems (PI, Wonderware Historian)

Industrial Networks:

• PROFIBUS, PROFINET
• EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet
• Modbus TCP/RTU
• Foundation Fieldbus (for oil & gas)

Process Control:

• DCS systems (Honeywell, Yokogawa, ABB, Emerson DeltaV) - especially for oil & gas
• PID control tuning
• Advanced process control concepts

Industry-Specific Skills (UAE Focus)

Oil & Gas:

• Safety systems (SIS, SIL ratings, IEC 61508/61511)
• Fire & gas detection systems
• ESD (Emergency Shutdown) systems
• Offshore platform experience valued

Utilities/Water:

• SCADA for water treatment/distribution
• Pump control, VFD integration
• Desalination plant automation

Manufacturing:

• Robotics integration (ABB, KUKA, Fanuc)
• Motion control
• MES integration

Soft Skills & Certifications

Essential:

• Troubleshooting and commissioning experience
• Ability to read P&IDs and electrical drawings
• Documentation skills (functional specs, FAT/SAT protocols)
• English proficiency (Arabic is a plus but not mandatory)

Valuable Certifications:

• Siemens Certified Programmer
• Rockwell/Allen-Bradley certifications
• Functional Safety Certification (TÜV)
• Engineering degree (electrical/instrumentation/control systems)

Experience Requirements

• Entry-level: 0-3 years, SAR/AED 4,000-8,000/month
• Mid-level: 3-7 years, AED 8,000-15,000/month
• Senior: 7+ years, AED 15,000-25,000+/month

Current UAE Market Trends

High demand sectors:

• Oil & gas (Abu Dhabi, offshore projects)
• Smart city infrastructure (Dubai, NEOM border projects)
• Manufacturing automation
• Data centers and utilities

Top employers: ADNOC, Siemens, ABB, Honeywell, Emerson, Schneider Electric, various EPC contractors

Key differentiator: Commissioning and site experience is heavily valued over pure programming skills. Multi-brand experience (not just one PLC vendor) makes you more marketable.