Instrumentation & Controls Lead

HOCS Projects; Calgary; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

HOCS Projects in Calgary, Alberta, seeks a seasoned Instrumentation & Controls Lead to provide technical authority and discipline leadership across industrial projects. You will own I&C engineering from concept through construction, mentoring a team of engineers and technologists while ensuring compliant, constructible designs.

The role demands 15+ years of I&C experience in an industrial consulting setting, with strong PLC/DCS/SCADA knowledge and a commitment to engineering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Current registration as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with APEGA.
• Engineer of Record: must authenticate applicable I&C engineering documents.
• Work Authorization: must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• 15+ years of progressive instrumentation and controls engineering experience in an industrial consulting environment, with Oil & Gas experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical authority and engineering leadership for I&C activities across project execution.
• Lead instrumentation and controls engineering and design from concept through construction support.
• Oversee instrument selection, specification, and instrument datasheet development.
• Lead development and definition of control system architecture; review hardware/software configurations.
• Mentor junior engineers and technologists to strengthen discipline capability.
• Ensure designs comply with codes, standards, and client requirements.

Skills

Control Systems

Instrumentation

Engineering Software

Communication

Technical Judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

SmartPlant Instrumentation (InTools)

Microsoft Office

Job description

Role Overview

The Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Lead will provide technical authority, discipline leadership, and Engineer-of-Record accountability for instrumentation and controls engineering across industrial projects executed by HOCS Projects. This senior-level role will lead the I&C discipline throughout the full project lifecycle, from concept development through detailed engineering, procurement, construction, and project support. The successful candidate will bring strong technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and a commitment to delivering technically sound, constructible, and compliant designs while mentoring and developing other members of the I&C team.

Key Responsibilities

• Instrumentation & Controls Engineering
• Discipline Leadership: Serve as the I&C Discipline Lead and technical authority on assigned projects.
• Engineering & Design: Lead instrumentation and controls engineering and design activities from concept development through detailed engineering and construction support.
• Instrumentation: Oversee instrument selection, specification, and instrument datasheet development.
• Control Systems: Lead the development and definition of control system architecture and specify and review applicable hardware and software configurations.
• System Technologies: Provide technical leadership for PLC, DCS, SCADA, ESD, and BMS environments.
• Technical Deliverables: Review and approve key I&C deliverables, including schematics, loop drawings, control narratives, cause-and-effect matrices, and Construction Work Packages (CWPs).
• System Integration: Ensure instrumentation, control systems, and associated interfaces are appropriately integrated into the overall facility design.

Discipline Leadership & Quality

• Technical Authority: Provide technical direction and engineering leadership for I&C activities throughout project execution.
• Engineer of Record: Act as the Engineer of Record and take professional responsibility for applicable I&C engineering deliverables.
• Technical Quality: Maintain accountability for the technical quality, accuracy, completeness, and compliance of I&C engineering deliverables.
• Codes & Standards: Ensure designs comply with applicable municipal, provincial, federal, and industry codes and regulations, as well as client standards and project requirements.
• Engineering Decisions: Provide sound technical judgment and confidently establish and defend engineering positions where required.
• Mentorship: Mentor and technically guide junior engineers and technologists to strengthen overall discipline capability and support professional development.

Project Planning & Controls

• Scope Development: Define I&C engineering scope and support the preparation of proposals and project execution strategies.
• Cost Estimating: Provide discipline input to engineering and project cost estimates.
• Execution Planning: Provide I&C input to project execution plans and establish appropriate discipline requirements for successful delivery.
• Resource Management: Allocate and manage I&C engineering resources based on project scope, priorities, and execution requirements.
• Budget & Schedule: Manage discipline activities within approved budgets and schedules and proactively address issues that may affect project commitments.
• Project Execution: Maintain accountability for I&C discipline performance and delivery throughout the project lifecycle.

Communication & Collaboration

• Client Interface: Interface regularly with clients to ensure alignment on I&C engineering and design requirements while maintaining a collaborative working relationship.
• Multi-Disciplinary Coordination: Coordinate closely with Process, Mechanical, Electrical, Civil/Structural, and other disciplines to ensure integrated design execution.
• Vendor Coordination: Provide technical support during procurement activities and review applicable vendor documentation.
• Construction Support: Provide I&C engineering support during construction and assist with resolving technical issues as required.
• Team Collaboration: Build strong working relationships with clients, project teams, vendors, and internal engineering disciplines.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Professional Registration

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Professional Registration: Current registration as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with APEGA.
• Engineer of Record: Must be qualified and able to authenticate applicable I&C engineering documents as the Engineer of Record.
• Work Authorization: Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Experience

• Industry Experience: Minimum 15 years of progressive instrumentation and controls engineering experience within an industrial consulting engineering environment, with Oil & Gas experience strongly preferred.
• Leadership Experience: Demonstrated experience leading I&C engineering scopes on multi-disciplinary industrial projects.
• Instrumentation: Strong technical background in industrial instrumentation, instrument selection, specification, and engineering.
• Control Systems: Strong experience with industrial control systems, hardware specification, control system architecture, and system integration.
• Vendor Documentation: Demonstrated experience reviewing and approving vendor documentation.

Technical Skills

• Control Systems: Strong working knowledge of applicable PLC, DCS, SCADA, ESD, and BMS systems and environments.
• Instrumentation Software: Experience with SmartPlant Instrumentation (InTools) is considered a strong asset.
• Engineering Software: Proficiency with relevant instrumentation and controls engineering software and design tools.
• Microsoft Office: Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Communication: Strong English written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with clients, vendors, and multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Technical Judgment: Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to make and support sound engineering decisions.

Skills & Attributes

• Leadership: A strong technical leader who takes ownership and accountability for discipline and project outcomes.
• Decision Making: Confident in making engineering decisions and defending technical positions based on sound engineering principles and judgment.
• Quality Focus: Detail-oriented and committed to maintaining high standards of technical quality, accuracy, and compliance.
• Organization: Highly organized and capable of effectively managing multiple concurrent projects, priorities, and deadlines.
• Teamwork: Collaborative and team-focused with the ability to build strong working relationships across disciplines.
• Client Relationships: Able to establish trust and maintain productive, professional relationships with clients.
• Mentorship: Committed to mentoring, knowledge sharing, and developing the technical capabilities of junior team members.
• Continuous Improvement: Actively contributes to continuous improvement and the advancement of I&C engineering practices within the organization.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates integrity, accountability, sound ethical judgment, and a commitment to engineering excellence.