Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer — 25-40% Travel

SURGE Staffing; Verona; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Summer hours

Collaborative culture

Job summary

SURGE Staffing seeks an experienced Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to support design, programming, integration, and commissioning of control systems for complex R&D, production, and industrial projects. Based in Verona, WI, the role involves travel for design meetings, installation supervision, and commissioning.

You will develop control architectures, write ladder logic, review P&IDs, and program HMIs/PLCs across AB, Siemens, GE, and Wago platforms to ensure safe, reliable operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience preparing drawings using AutoCAD Electrical.
• At least five years of designing, building, and programming PLC systems, including field start-up.
• At least five years of ladder logic programming experience.
• Experience with engine test cell instrumentation and controls, including design, integration, troubleshooting, and commissioning.
• Ability to interpret and create P&IDs.
• Strong client service skills and ability to manage multiple projects and changing deadlines.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel domestically 25–40%, including overnight stays.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review control system architecture, flow diagrams, P&IDs, control sequences, and design specs.
• Conduct risk and hazard analyses for safe system design and operation.
• Create responsibility matrices, instrument indexes, BOMs, and other project docs.
• Develop and review wiring schematics and control panel layouts.
• Program and integrate HMIs and PLCs across Allen-Bradley, Siemens, GE, and Wago platforms.
• Design and perform system functionality tests at manufacturing sites and customer locations.
• Prepare wire pull schedules and contractor scope-of-work for bidding and construction.
• Perform onsite equipment start-up, commissioning, and validation.
• Complete I/O checkout, troubleshoot systems, calibrate instrumentation, and tune PID loops.
• Validate programming to ensure operation per control sequences.
• Collaborate with project teams, customers, and contractors on requirements and scope changes.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA knowledge

Team collaboration

Written and verbal communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

GE

Wago

Job description

Travel: 25–40% domestic travel, including overnight stays

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to support the design, programming, integration, and commissioning of control systems for technically complex research and development, production, and industrial projects.

Based in Verona, Wisconsin, this role works alongside a team of controls engineers to deliver projects from initial design through start-up and validation. The ideal candidate brings strong PLC programming skills, hands-on field experience, and a collaborative approach to solving technical challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and review control system architecture, flow diagrams, process and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), control sequences, and design specifications.
• Conduct risk and hazard analyses to support safe system design and operation.
• Create responsibility matrices, instrument indexes, bills of material (BOMs), and other project documentation.
• Develop and review wiring schematics and control panel layouts.
• Program and integrate Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), including Allen-Bradley, Siemens, GE, and Wago platforms.
• Design and perform system functionality tests at the manufacturing facility and customer locations.
• Prepare wire pull schedules and contractor scope-of-work documents for bidding and construction.
• Perform onsite equipment start-up, commissioning, and validation.
• Complete input/output (I/O) checkout, troubleshoot systems, calibrate instrumentation, and tune PID loops.
• Validate programming to ensure systems operate according to defined control sequences.
• Collaborate with project teams, customers, and contractors to address technical requirements and changes in project scope, schedules, or design.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience preparing drawings using AutoCAD Electrical.
• At least five years of experience designing, building, and programming PLC systems, including field experience from design through start-up.
• At least five years of ladder logic programming experience.
• Experience with engine test cell instrumentation and controls, including design, integration, troubleshooting, and commissioning.
• Ability to interpret and create P&IDs.
• Strong client service skills, with the ability to balance multiple projects and adapt to changing deadlines, scope, and design requirements.
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and time management abilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, clients, and external partners.
• Initiative to develop technical skills and contribute to team success.
• Willingness to travel domestically approximately 25–40%, including overnight stays, for design meetings, equipment installation supervision, and commissioning.

Benefits & Work Environment

• 401(k) with employer match.
• Paid time off.
• Summer hours.
• A positive, collaborative company culture.