Automation & Instrumentation Engineer
RisingEngineering
Designs and programs the control systems, PLCs, sensors and robots that run factories, semiconductor plants and oil and gas facilities, and keeps them running reliably. The usual route is a degree in electrical, electronic, mechatronics or chemical engineering, often starting as a graduate engineer in Penang, Kulim or Johor.
Picture the job
Where you'd usually workA factory floor
An illustration of a typical workplace, not a photo. Real workplaces vary.
In Malaysia
- How people get into it here
- SPM with credits in Mathematics, Additional Mathematics and Physics → Matriculation, Asasi, STPM or an engineering diploma → Bachelor's in Electrical/Electronic, Mechatronics, Instrumentation or Chemical Engineering → graduate engineer in manufacturing or O&G → register with BEM as a Graduate Engineer, later Professional Engineer. PLC/SCADA vendor training (e.g. Siemens, Rockwell) helps.
Pay in the private market
Monthly pay from fresh grad to mid-career, from the salary guide cited on this page.
No official pay figure is published for this job, so we show none.
Government pay isn't shown: we haven't yet sourced the SSPA civil-service salary tables, and we won't estimate them.
Job demand outlook
Hiring is growing: more openings expected over the next few years.
Your readiness
How your current SPM subjects line up with this career.
Add your SPM grades to see how ready you are for this career.
Add my gradesHow to get here
Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.
Matriculation
One or two years, heavily subsidised with allowance. Competitive, quota-based entry.
Asasi / Foundation
One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.
Diploma
Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.
TVET
Hands-on trades with strong employability: ILP, ADTEC, kolej vokasional, GiatMARA.
Check what you may qualify for
Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.
Quick answers
How do you become an Automation & Instrumentation Engineer in Malaysia?
SPM with credits in Mathematics, Additional Mathematics and Physics → Matriculation, Asasi, STPM or an engineering diploma → Bachelor's in Electrical/Electronic, Mechatronics, Instrumentation or Chemical Engineering → graduate engineer in manufacturing or O&G → register with BEM as a Graduate Engineer, later Professional Engineer. PLC/SCADA vendor training (e.g. Siemens, Rockwell) helps. Optional registration with Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) Graduate Engineer registration; Professional Engineer for signing off designs is available.
What should I study to become an Automation & Instrumentation Engineer?
Related fields of study: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. SPM subjects that help most: Physics, Additional Mathematics, Design & Technology (RBT) and Computer Science / ICT.
How much does an Automation & Instrumentation Engineer earn in Malaysia?
We don't yet have a Malaysian source we can cite for Automation & Instrumentation Engineer pay, so we show no figure.
Subjects that matter here
The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.
Skills to build
What beginner adverts asked for
We read 98 internship and fresh-graduate adverts in related fields (August 2026). A small sample from one job site, not every vacancy.
71 of 98 were internships
Allowance or pay, when stated
RM800 – RM2,500
57 of 98 adverts printed an amount: usually between RM800 and RM2,500 a month. Many print none.
Minimum CGPA asked
2.00 to 3.50
Stated in 8 adverts. Others did not state one.
Languages named
Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin
An empty line means the adverts did not say, not that employers have no requirement. Check each employer's own advert before you plan around it.
About this information
This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.
Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org