Instrumentation Engineer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an instrumentation engineer. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an instrumentation engineer.
Who is an Instrumentation Engineer?
Instrumentation engineers are professionals in building regulated and automated systems. Instrumentation engineering is the study of control systems, particularly in the electrical and pneumatic domains. Instrumentation engineers design, develop, install, and maintain machinery monitoring and control devices. The mission of the instrumentation engineer is to make manufacturing and other processes easier and more efficient for all parties involved. A position as an instrumentation engineer may be ideal for you if you have good mathematical and problem-solving abilities. Instrumentation engineers set up automated procedures to boost industrial productivity, dependability, and safety. They may create instruments such as torque dynamometers, blood glucose monitors, biomedical equipment, aeronautical equipment such as aircraft sensors, smoke detectors, electrocardiograph equipment, tomography scanners, security systems, alarms, and so on.
An instrumentation engineer is a professional who designs and develops equipment to improve business processes. Their responsibilities include conducting research and analysis to discover a company’s needs, coordinating with other divisions to acquire data, developing strategies to create new processes, and providing reports and presentations for management. An instrumentation engineer primarily installs and maintains equipment; they also undertake routine maintenance to ensure the efficiency of facilities. They must also respond to enquiries and handle issues and complaints while adhering to the company’s policies and regulations.
Instrumentation engineers work in processing and manufacturing plants, designing, creating, supervising, and troubleshooting complex instrumentation to boost production. In highly sophisticated businesses such as broadcast systems, they install and operate control systems and devices. These specialists have a variety of objectives that they wish to attain within a specific time range. The instrumentation engineer advises and guides less experienced technicians on how to use the equipment appropriately to avoid accidents and injuries. He may instruct them directly or arrange for their tuition so that they are familiar with various sorts of devices. He might, for example, urge children to always read the directions before operating any machines. Accidents caused by inappropriate usage can thus be avoided. To achieve this purpose, the instrumentation engineer ensures that all equipment is used correctly and is operated by qualified staff.
The goal of the instrumentation engineer is to assure machine dependability. To accomplish this, he prioritizes efforts geared towards machine maintenance. He arranges for repairs and maintenance to be performed regularly. This ensures that machine components are always in good working order and that worn parts are completely replaced. Repairs and maintenance are carried out depending on the detection of numerous criteria such as vibration and degradation signals. The specialist then recommends the appropriate maintenance action to be taken to restore the condition of the equipment.
The instrumentation engineer’s goal is to improve the performance of the company’s machinery to increase productivity. He ensures that new ideas are implemented and plans for the upgrade of production equipment to maximize its efficiency. For example, he may replace analogue machines with capital-intensive digital ones. In this manner, money spent on employee compensation is diverted to more profitable uses. Working in the control and automation industry, the specialist may be able to boost output through increasing process control. A bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, or a similar subject is required to work as an instrumentation engineer. The discipline for instrumentation engineers varies depending on the industry; most engineers in this profession have graduate degrees in electrical, mechanical, or computer engineering. All engineers must be proficient in mathematics and physics. As they find themselves in situations to solve uniquely challenging problems, instrumentation engineers must also have the following skills: strong communication skills, the ability to translate project needs into design development of hardware suitable for the task, sound problem-solving skills, and the ability to think critically.
Instrumentation Engineer Job Description
Below are the instrumentation engineer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an instrumentation engineer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
- Manage, update, and distribute acquired data.
- Analyze and standardize equipment upon return.
- Assist the section supervisor in coordinating and maintaining the Environmental Systems Integration Laboratory’s facilities (ESIL).
- Determine ESIL’s service and equipment requirements.
- Monitor existing service contracts for equipment.
- Create plans for new facilities or update existing ones to meet current regulatory requirements.
- Inspect facility conditions such as noise levels and illumination to ensure that they meet regulatory requirements.
- Conduct research on new technologies that may improve the field of instrumentation engineering or on new applications for existing technology.
- Perform equipment performance testing to confirm that it fulfills the manufacturer’s standards.
- Control systems used in industrial settings such as oil refineries or chemical production plants are designed, installed, maintained, repaired, and troubleshoot
- Create new equipment with CAD software or other engineering tools such as CAM software or a robotics programming language.
- Design computer models that simulate system responses to various stimuli to forecast how they would respond under varied scenarios.
- Build and design control panels for industrial machinery such as oil rigs or chemical production plants.
- Perform activities related to the installation, maintenance, and repair of industrial electrical equipment.
- Coordinate repairs and oversee the return of defective equipment.
- Coordinate with movers, riggers, and top-bay space owners for each specific demand.
- Assist as the instrument engineering coordinator.
- Perform system documentation individually and collaboratively with various section personnel.
- Establish and maintain relationships with suppliers to prepare control and data acquisition systems.
- Confirm that the instrumentation systems are purchased by the specifications.
- Maintain and upgrade instruments and electronic control systems.
- Makes sure that new and existing electronic systems adhere to the most recent safety regulations.
- Explain the electronic measuring setup to the method.
- Prepare engineering technical solutions as well as client testing needs.
Qualifications
- High school diploma.
- A Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in electricity or electro-mechanics is required.
- A working experience of at least 5 years in instrumentation engineering.
- Knowledge and experience in the oil and gas industry can be essential.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience working on multidisciplinary projects with petrochemical clients, bioprocess, alcohol screening, pre-employment drug testing, and so on.
- Should have a wide understanding of the ideas and procedures associated with technical disciplines.
- Should have a thorough understanding of engineering applications to plant constructibility as they relate to construction materials and procedures.
- Excellent physics and maths skills
- Should have excellent communication skills as well as the ability to translate project requirements into designs and then develop them into hardware as needed. Should be familiar with soldering equipment, electronic measuring probes, and analytical software.
Essential Skills
- Technical skills: Instrumentation engineers must have high technical skills to create unique electrical equipment. Their knowledge of engineering abilities such as coding and design can assist them in creating high-quality, practical products. Instrumentation engineers employ technical knowledge to comprehend and analyze complex data. They use technological talents to explore and design problem-solving solutions. They also employ technical abilities to create and analyze data to verify the safety and effectiveness of their projects.
- Research skills: Professionals in the instrumentation engineering position perform extensive research to understand client demands, breakthroughs in the sector, and other pertinent information. They use this information to create cutting-edge, inventive equipment.
- Communication skills: Throughout their day, instrumentation engineers interact with a wide range of people. They might collaborate with other engineers, sales reps, marketing teams, and clients to clarify technical knowledge and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Instrumentation engineers with great communication skills can assist others to create strong relationships and offer accurate information. These individuals often create blueprints for ideas and collaborate with members of the production crew to make the ideas a reality. They must have great communication skills to appropriately offer both written and spoken directions.
- Problem-solving skills: To solve technological problems, instrumentation engineers employ problem-solving skills. They may also employ these abilities to improve the efficiency of a system or gadget. Manufacturing managers, design engineers, and other professionals rely on the experience of instrumentation experts to automate equipment, fix control systems, and improve the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process. Instrumentation engineers examine a situation and determine how to enhance it using critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Creativity skills: All engineers employ creativity to provide practical, safe, and visually appealing solutions to challenges that people confront daily. Instrumentation engineers use their creativity to develop innovative products that will benefit society.
- Attention to detail skills: This skill is essential because individuals are always in charge of the performance and safety of a product’s major and minor details. Paying close attention to details might help them create error-free deliveries.
- Teamwork skills: To finish projects, instrumentation engineers frequently work in groups. This implies they must be able to collaborate with others and grasp how their function fits into the greater picture. This can help individuals become a valuable part of a team and perform their work more efficiently.
- Collaboration Skills: Instrumentation engineers frequently collaborate with different engineering experts or divisions within a corporation or business. As a result, they frequently demand strong cooperation abilities to express key ideas to team members and understand how to listen to advice and accept suggestions from others. This can assist them in doing their job obligations more efficiently and coming up with inventive solutions to challenges or problems.
- Leadership skills: Instrumentation engineers frequently work in teams with other engineers and personnel. Leadership abilities can assist you in motivating your team and encouraging them to collaborate to solve challenges and finish initiatives. Leadership abilities can also assist you in delegating duties and motivating people to complete them.
How to Become an Instrumentation Engineer
Step 1. Obtain an undergraduate degree
To work as an instrumentation engineer, you must first have a bachelor’s degree in instrumentation engineering technology or a related discipline, such as electrical, chemical, or systems engineering. These degrees frequently include courses in automation, instrumentation and transducers, and electrical power systems that can help you build critical knowledge and abilities for your job. Many universities and institutes will also provide students with the opportunity to exercise their engineering skills in labs and other forms of hands-on experience.
Step 2. Acquire relevant experience
Gaining relevant experience for an instrumentation engineering role is vital since it can help you acquire key skills and expertise that you can utilize throughout your career and make your resume and qualifications more visible to employers. Internships and entry-level roles are both excellent ways to get practical work experience. Though you can seek internships after graduation, it can be useful to look for internship possibilities while you are still an undergraduate. Internships can offer you valuable knowledge and skills that you can add to your CV for future entry-level job applications. Entry-level engineering employment can provide you with unique experiences and help you develop occupational skills for a career in instrumentation engineering. If you are unable to find a position that specifically works with instrumentation and control, it may be beneficial to look for entry-level jobs or positions that work with electronics or electrical systems, as these can provide you with valuable experience that you can apply to an instrumentation engineering position.
Step 3. Further your education
While many instrumentation engineers can find work with only a bachelor’s degree, the majority choose to pursue a graduate degree to expand their engineering skills and produce more job prospects. A master’s degree in instrumentation or electrical engineering can often allow individuals to pursue mid-level or senior-level instrumentation engineering positions and grow in their careers. Instrumentation engineers may benefit from a graduate education as well because working with electrical systems generally necessitates ongoing education and training to stay up with evolving technologies. Some instrumentation engineers may also need to pursue additional education to renew qualifications and licenses.
Step 4. Acquire certification and licensure
Though engineering certifications and licenses differ by state, most instrumentation engineers will take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam after completing their undergraduate degree, which assesses their engineering knowledge and understanding over six hours and 110 questions. Individuals who successfully obtain the title of engineer in training (EIT) can utilize their newly recognized credentials to pursue engineering careers. Instrumentation engineers prepare for the final phase in their engineering licensure: passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam, after earning the necessary engineer experience. The exam is administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) in a variety of engineering fields, including mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
Where to Work as an Instrumentation Engineer
Instrumentation engineers are employed in a range of settings, including factories, office buildings, and R&D laboratories. They may be exposed to machine noise, dust, and gases, and they may be forced to wear protective apparel such as earplugs, gloves, and safety glasses. They normally work a standard 40-hour week, but they may be required to work extra to fulfill deadlines or address production problems. Instrumentation engineers who engage in research and development may be required to work unusual hours, such as evenings and weekends, to accomplish their projects.
Instrumentation Engineer Salary
The average Instrumentation Engineer pay in the United States is $82,130, with a salary range of $75,632 to $94,450.
In Nigeria, an Instrumentation Engineer normally earns roughly 298,000 NGN per month. Salaries typically range between 161,000 and 450,000 NGN. These figures represent the average monthly wage, which includes housing, transportation, and other amenities.
In India, the average monthly income for an instrumentation engineer is ₹21,968. Their income, however, may differ depending on their geographical region, organization, years of experience, certificates, and other criteria. Instrumentation engineers with more schooling and particular certificates can generally obtain a higher wage.
