Instrumentation and Controls Engineer

Job Details

Sector(s)

Component Manufacturing and Research & Development; Construction; Operations and Maintenance

Median Pay

$101,780 per year

$48.93 per hour

Job Type

Entry- to Mid-Level

Typical Entry-Level Education and Work Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree required; little to no experience required

Alternate Titles

Instrumentation and controls (I&C) engineer, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) engineer, asset management specialist, and computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) specialist

Brief Job Description

I&C engineers design, test, install, and maintain equipment that automates the processes that monitor and control machinery. This automation equipment allows marine energy component manufacturing plants and marine energy array operations to run more efficiently and effectively. 

Education and Training Level Description

I&C engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or a related computer or engineering degree. Employers also value experience, so internships and  cooperative-education engineering programs at universities are a plus. To be hired into formal engineering roles, I&C engineers generally need to acquire a Fundamentals of Engineering license by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. 

With a Fundamentals of Engineering license and 4 or more years of work experience, I&C engineers can take a test to acquire a Professional Engineer (PE) license. I&C engineers with a PE license can be a technical specialist within the electrical engineering discipline, oversee other engineers, develop designs and specifications, and oversee component assembly activities. An advanced degree, additional work experience, and a PE license can lead to more job and career advancement opportunities in the research and development sector, project development, training and education fields, and managerial roles.

Job Profile

I&C engineers design, test, install, and maintain equipment that automates the processes that monitor and control machinery. I&C equipment could include instrumentation that monitors and controls temperatures, pressures, and other operational indicators to identify or remediate equipment malfunctions. This automation equipment allows marine energy component manufacturing plants and marine energy array operations to run more efficiently and effectively. Because most of the marine energy industry is still in the technology development stage, there are not many operational manufacturing facilities or marine energy systems for I&C engineers to manage, but as the industry grows, so will the demand for I&C engineers. 

In the marine energy industry, I&C engineers design electrical and communications systems (like servers and telecommunication networks) that ensure the marine energy array and system can operate autonomously, with minimal oversight or manual adjustments. These systems, often called SCADA systems, control individual components of marine energy arrays or manufacturing facilities while also recording information on the performance of the components. These systems send this performance information to centralized facilities, called SCADA control centers, for plant operators and I&C engineers to monitor. These centralized facilities are often located in a different location from the array or manufacturing facility, so plant operators and I&C engineers use this information to either make remote adjustments to components or identify when on-site maintenance is needed. 

During the design and installation of these systems, I&C engineers must test their systems and equipment thoroughly. After testing, they often work closely with I&C technicians to install, maintain, and calibrate these systems. I&C engineers must be flexible in their work hours and prepared to address problems remotely or in person by traveling to the physical system as necessary.

I&C engineers typically:

  • Handle projects that involve multiple applications, including SCADA, device controls and sensors, telecommunications networks, and related systems
  • Install, receive, and configure servers, networks, and equipment
  • Troubleshoot equipment and software to repair and diagnose any malfunctions in the system along with continuous maintenance and upgrades to the SCADA systems
  • Monitor data communication
  • Troubleshoot programmable logic controller circuits
  • Set up firewalls and security for SCADA systems to protect them from external attacks
  • Monitor I&C systems for cyber attacks that could alter or damage the array or manufacturing facility
  • Manage system access
  • Organize and maintain license and support documentation
  • Prepare instrumentation diagrams, process control narratives, instrument lists, and input/output lists as part of project design and ongoing maintenance.

Job Skills

I&C engineers typically need:

  • Communication skills. I&C engineers must be able to follow instructions from engineers and others. They also need to clearly convey problems to engineers.
  • To be detail oriented. I&C engineers must pay attention to detail when assembling, troubleshooting, and repairing electronic and electrical mechanical systems.
  • Math skills. I&C engineers use mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting tasks.
  • Mechanical skills. I&C engineers must use hand tools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to build components by hand.
  • Writing skills. I&C engineers write reports about onsite construction, design problems, or testing results. Their writing must be clear and well organized to convey the information in the reports.

More Information, Job Opportunities, etc.

For more information on I&C engineer jobs. see: 

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