Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

Imperial Oil; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Training and mentorship

Relocation assistance

Flexible work hours

Employee resource groups

Job summary

Imperial Oil is seeking a Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to join our Cold Lake Engineering team. You will lead instrumentation and controls activities across concept through commissioning, providing hands-on expertise in field systems and process automation.

The ideal candidate has a 10+ year track record in oil & gas, strong knowledge of DCS/PLC/SCADA platforms, ISA/IEC standards, and a demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers while driving safety and reliability

Qualifications

• Instrumentation or Control Systems Engineering degree with P.Eng designation.
• 10+ years of experience in oil & gas or industrial control projects.
• Experience with DCS/PLC/SCADA systems and safety-related design.

Responsibilities

• Design, specify, deploy, and sustain field instrumentation and networks.
• Provide troubleshooting and technical support for measurement equipment.
• Identify reliability risks and determine cost-effective mitigation.
• Develop technology specifications and prequalification.
• Lead life cycle management of process, safety and instrumentation.
• Collaborate on control philosophies and process control strategies.
• Develop and modify PLC logic, HMI applications, and SCADA systems.
• Investigate failures and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with industry codes, standards, and company specs.

Education

Instrumentation or Control Systems Engineering Degree

P. Eng designation

Tools

Emerson DeltaV

Honeywell Experion

Yokogawa Centum

ABB 800xA

Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Schneider Electric Systems

Job description

At Imperial, we work every day to responsibly develop Canada's energy resources - applying technology and innovation to supply affordable, accessible and reliable energy while reducing emissions. Imperial recognizes the important role we can play by advancing climate solutions within our operations and by providing lower life-cycle emission products to our customers. This effort is powered by a unique and diverse workforce fueled by a pride in what we do and what we stand for.

The success of our upstream, downstream and chemical, and corporate divisions is the result of the talent, curiosity and drive of our people. They bring solutions every day to optimize our strategy in energy, chemicals, lubricants and lower-emissions technologies.

Imperial honours diverse backgrounds so we can be a place where people can bring their full selves to work, no matter their identity, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, or ability.

At Imperial, we want you to come for the position and stay for the career. As an integrated company, we are uniquely positioned to offer you a wide range of career prospects and growth opportunities through the course of your career with us. We invite you to bring your ideas and help create sustainable solutions that improve quality of life and meet society’s evolving needs.

About Imperial's Cold Lake Operation

Cold Lake is an in-situ oil sands operation in northern Alberta. Sitting on a large, high-quality resource base, the operation is using and piloting next-generation solvent technologies that can improve production and lower greenhouse gas emissions intensity.

Cold Lake is one of the longest running oil sands operations in northeastern Alberta and one of the largest in-situ thermal operations in the world. The operation supplies refineries across Canada and the United States with the crude needed to create fuel, asphalt and other important products. The site’s past success and current strength stem from the skills, commitment and passion of the site’s workforce, made up of approximately 400 employees and 1,000 contractors including from Indigenous-owned businesses. In 2025, gross production at Cold Lake averaged 151,000 barrels per day.

What Role You Will Play in Our Team

We are seeking an experienced Senior Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Engineer to join our Engineering team. The successful candidate will bring extensive experience in process control systems, instrumentation design, PLC/DCS programming, reliability improvement, and operational support. This role will be responsible for leading instrumentation and controls engineering activities throughout the project lifecycle, from concept development and detailed design through commissioning, startup, and operational support. As a key contributor to the Instrumentation and Controls discipline, the candidate will help shape technical standards and best practices, mentor engineers to build organizational capability, foster technical excellence, and promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on engineer who combines strong technical expertise with practical field experience.

What You Will Do

• Design, specify, deploy, and sustain field instrumentation including: sensors, transmitters, analyzers, gas detectors, solenoids, positioners, displacers, control valves, automated isolation valves, shutdown valves, dampers, and instrument networks (AMS)
• Provide troubleshooting and technical support for measurement and instrumentation equipment for the specific plant unit assigned as well as site wide
• Identify measurement and instrumentation reliability and operability risks and determine cost effective mitigation
• Develop technology specification and prequalification
• Lead Obsolescence and Life Cycle Management of process, safety and FGS instrumentation
• Provide advice and guidance on instrumentation related global practices
• Participate in internal, external and/or government mandated audits or periodic health checks
• Initiate and drive Management of Change (MOC) including the development and execution of technical worksheets
• Accountable for SIS/SIF instrumentation performance metrics (Critical Device Function Test - CDFT) reporting and driving follow up actions related to SIS/SIF instrumentation performance deficiencies
• Review, develop and maintain preventative maintenance equipment strategies for instrumentation, analyzers, detectors, control valves, automated isolation valves, and instrumented packaged equipment
• Collaborate on development of control philosophies and process control strategies.
• Develop and modify PLC logic, HMI applications, and SCADA systems.
• Investigate instrumentation and control system failures and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable industry codes, standards, and company specifications
• Lead continuous improvement efforts related to preventive and predictive maintenance programs
• Collaborate with key Business Team stakeholders (Operations, Maintenance, Reliability and Technical)
• Interface with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)
• Provide technical oversight for contractors

About You

• Instrumentation or Control Systems Engineering Degree and Professional Designations (P. Eng) with 10+ years of experience
• Knowledge and experience in Distributed Control Systems (DCS), PLC Systems, SCADA systems, process automation, instrumentation design standards
• Experience with one or more of the following systems: Emerson DeltaV, Honeywell Experion, Yokogawa Centum, ABB 800xA, Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley PLCs, Siemens PLCs, Schneider Electric Systems
• Knowledge of ISA Standards, IEC Standards, NEC/CEC Codes, Functional Safety and SIS Design, SIL Verification, HAZOP and LOPA Processes
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Field experience and knowledge of Oil and Gas, Petrochemicals, or in-situ operations
• Commitment to safety on and off the job
• Project management and leadership experience.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills

Your Benefits

An Imperial career is one designed to last. Our commitment to you runs deep: our employees grow personally and professionally, with benefits built on our core categories of health, security, finance, and life. Imperial Oil has been recognized as one of Canada's top employers for young people (2024), in addition to one of Canada's and Alberta's top employers (2024) as recognized by Mediacorp Canada Inc.'s 24th annual competition.

We offer you:

• Competitive salary
• Training and mentorship
• Relocation assistance as required
• Flexible work hours and work from home policy
• Employee resource groups (ERG’s) – opportunity to participate in volunteer groups that support furthering the company’s inclusion objectives

Please note benefits may be changed, suspended or terminated from time to time without notice, subject to applicable law.

Imperial is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Imperial is committed to providing equitable treatment and equal opportunity to all individuals and encourages all eligible applicants to apply.

Imperial conducts business in a manner that respects the land, environment, rights and cultures of Indigenous communities. In the areas where we explore, develop and operate, Imperial engages Indigenous communities in open and forthright consultation and strives to establish meaningful relationships built on mutual trust and respect. Please see here for more information on Imperial’s Indigenous Relations Guiding Principles and Guidelines.

Imperial is committed to supporting persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. We will work with qualified applicants to provide reasonable accommodation upon request at [e-mail].

Eligibility to work in Canada: All applicants who receive an offer of employment must be eligible to work in Canada on a regular full-time basis without restrictions on their start date. Proof of eligibility shall be in the form of a Canadian birth certificate, Canadian passport, Canadian citizenship certificate, Canadian certificate of permanent residence, Canadian open work permit or receipt from Immigration Canada of an application for a post-graduate work permit. Proof of eligibility must be current and valid (not expired, cancelled or voided). Proof of eligibility will be required if an offer of employment is made. Failure to provide proof of eligibility at least six (6) weeks prior to the start date may result in the offer of employment being rescinded.