The Growing Role of Automation in the Electrical Industry

The Growing Role of Automation in the Electrical Industry

Last Updated: 2026-05-29T02:26:07.869-04:00

Chariho Career and Technical Center's Electrical Technology class recently visited ProSystems Integration, an automation company in Westerly, to give students a look at career opportunities in the industrial side of the field. The visit was initiated by Jesse Brunelle, a Chariho alumnus and engineer at ProSystems, who, along with his father John, the company's president, guided the students through the facility. They showcased a variety of systems, from medical tubing equipment to automated systems for major brands like Hershey Chocolate and Krispy Kreme, and even control systems for the Mystic River Bascule Bridge. The goal was to expose students to the industrial automation sector, an area often overlooked in traditional electrical training that focuses more on residential and commercial work.

In other news, a recent report from the construction scheduling platform Planera highlighted that electricians are among the jobs least likely to be automated. With just a 14% automation risk, the profession is seeing a surge in demand, with over 80,000 new positions expected nationally by 2026. This growth is attributed to aging infrastructure, the expansion of EV charging networks, and the green energy transition. The report ironically notes that the very AI data centers fueling automation fears require electricians for their construction and maintenance, making the job exceptionally future-proof.

Siemens has also made headlines with the introduction of its new generation control system, the Simatic S7-1200 G2. Level Automation, a company specializing in electrical and automation cabinets, made the switch and found the migration from the older S7-1200 to be "ridiculously easy," taking only two minutes. The new system is certified according to the cybersecurity standard IEC 62443, making it ready for the increased requirements of the NIS2 Directive.

The trend towards automation is also being seen in the residential sector. Post Electric, a licensed electrical contractor in Southwest Missouri, has expanded its services to include comprehensive home automation and smart technology integration. This move is in response to the growing demand from homeowners to modernize their electrical systems to support smart home devices, electric vehicle charging stations, and other modern appliances.

The job market for electrical engineers and technicians remains robust. Companies like Nvidia, Apple, Tesla, Intel, and Siemens are actively hiring electrical engineers to develop the power systems for cutting-edge technologies. The demand is so high that a recent article from Built In was dedicated to showcasing the top companies hiring in the field. This is further evidenced by the numerous job listings for "Automation Electrician" on platforms like Indeed, with competitive salaries being offered. For those considering a career in this field, a recent YouTube video titled "Electricians: Is Your Future in Controls, Automation & BEMS?" explores the potential career paths in building energy management systems. As for compensation, a Reddit thread titled "What could an electrician starting in automation expect to be paid?" has been a popular discussion topic, indicating a strong interest in this career path.

Finally, for electrical contractors, the integration of automation is not just about the services they offer but also about how they run their businesses. A recent article from Deltek outlines eight ways electrical contractors can reduce overhead costs through automation. These include streamlining administrative tasks, improving resource management, and automating financial reporting.

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