Senior Instrument Engineer

Technology Co; Singapore; On-site; SGD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Neste is seeking a Senior Instrument Engineer for our Singapore Refinery. You will lead instrumentation design, assessment, and reliability initiatives to ensure safe, reliable operations.

You will collaborate with procurement, technical, HSSEQ, operations, and maintenance teams to drive efficiency and compliance. The role requires hands-on experience with DCS, PLC, and SCADA, and strong capability in instrument spec writing, vendor evaluation, and performance analysis.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical / Electronic Engineering.
• 10–15 years of instrumentation engineering experience in process industries.
• Proven track record in design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of instruments and related systems.
• Experience in TA projects, capital projects, and BAU support.
• Hands-on with DCS/PLC/SCADA systems; familiar with ISA/API/IEC/ISO standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, specification, and selection of field instruments and valves.
• Ensure deliverables (P&ID, loop diagrams, datasheets) meet standards.
• Provide technical solutions for instrumentation issues; act as SME.
• Oversee maintenance strategy and lifecycle management for instrumentation.

Skills

Instrument engineering

DCS

PLC

SCADA

Strong communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD P&ID

Instrument management systems

Calibration tracking tools

Job description

Location: Singapore, SG

Country/Region: SG

Job Area: Maintenance

Business Unit: RP, Refining

Are you our next creator of change? Are you looking for a career in an inspiring, global environment where your expertise makes a difference? At Neste, you will be working for the world’s leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. Together we can help our customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

We are looking for you,

Senior Instrument Engineer

You will focus on Provide Instrument reliability improvement program and engineering support to the Neste Singapore Refinery to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations. Responsibilities include engineering assessments, engineering design, turnaround and maintenance support, root cause analysis and troubleshooting, implementation of corrective solutions, and driving long-term equipment reliability and improvement initiatives. In this job you will work closely with various departments such as Procurement, Technical, HR & CD, HSSEQ, IPEG, Operation, maintenance, M&MA, Global RCC and Asset Development team.

In our team, you will deliver safe, efficient, quality and timely Maintenance & Turnaround performance and reliable asset lifecycle by using right engineering standards & practices, robust work processes with competent and motivated people to maximise mechanical availability of our assets. Together with your expertise, we can do meaningful work to drive Neste forward.

Reasons to join

We operate in an inspiring and evolving business environment as a global leader in renewable fuels. We contribute to Neste’s success by living our values every day: we care, we have courage, we cooperate.

We prioritize safety at all times and in every location. We strive to create a positive and impactful work environment.

Transformation brings new possibilities and fosters our courage and curiosity. As a global company, we support personal development with versatile learning and career opportunities. Collaboration is key, and we believe in flexible, smart ways of working. We work at the office at least three days a week to ensure seamless teamwork and a sense of belonging.

More about the job

Your role in our team

• Lead the design, specification, and selection of field instruments, control valves, and associated systems within Maintenance team.
• Ensure engineering deliverables (P&IDs, loop diagrams, instrument datasheets, specifications) comply with project and regulatory standards.
• Provide technical solutions for complex instrumentation issues.
• Acts as a technical authority for instrumentation installations / systems for the Neste Singapore Refinery

Maintenance & Reliability Support

• Oversee the maintenance strategy and lifecycle management of instrumentation and control systems.
• Analyse instrumentation equipment performance and failures; recommend preventive or corrective actions.
• Support plant reliability initiatives and optimize maintenance PM/CM plans.
• Act as the instrumentation subject-matter expert (SME and SPA) for projects, modifications, and turn around.
• Review and approve instrument-related scopes, plans, and execution.
• Ensure instrumentation work aligns with safety, quality, and schedule requirements.

Asset Integrity & Compliance

• Ensure instrumentation systems comply with relevant standards, codes, and corporate policies.
• Conduct risk assessments and participate in safety and process hazard studies (HAZOP, SIL, LOPA).
• Monitor instrument calibration, testing, and certification programs.
• Develop and maintain NMS instrument standards, philosophies, and specifications.
• Maintain and update the Asset Management (AM) risk register

Technical Leadership & Mentoring

• Provide guidance, coaching, and mentorship to Area Engineer, Operation engineers and maintenance supervisor.
• Promote best practices and standardization across instrumentation systems.
• Facilitate technical training sessions for operations and maintenance teams.
• Identify opportunities to improve system performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Implement digitalization or advanced monitoring solutions where applicable.
• Benchmark instrumentation practices against industry standards and emerging technologies.

Keys to success in this role / The best combination to succeed in this role

Education:

• Degree in Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Professional Experience:

• Minimum 10-15 years of experience in instrumentation engineering, preferably in process industries (oil & gas, petrochemical, refinery, renewable fuels, or chemicals).
• Proven track record in design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of instruments, control valves, analysers, and related systems.
• Experience in plant turnaround (TA) projects, capital projects, and BAU support.
• Familiarity with asset management, reliability engineering, and lifecycle planning of instrumentation systems
• Hands‑on experience with DCS, PLC, SCADA systems, and instrument loop tuning.
• Knowledgeable with international standards, petroleum /petrochemical plant materials and equipment
• Experienced in maintenance work control, planning, reliability methodologies
• Good communication with strategic thinking

Technical Know-How & Skills

• Deep understanding of instrumentation and control principles, including process measurement, field instruments, and control valves.
• Knowledge of standards and codes such as International Society of Automation (ISA), American Petroleum Institute (API), IEC, and ISO instrumentation standards.
• Ability to perform instrument troubleshooting, calibration, health checks, and performance analysis.
• Strong capability in specification writing, vendor evaluation, and technical review of instrumentation documentation.
• Proficient in instrumentation design software, e.g., AutoCAD P&ID, instrument management systems, and calibration tracking tools.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; ability to make independent technical decisions.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills; able to collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Projects, and HSE teams.
• Experience in mentoring and guiding junior engineers and technicians.
• Ability to work under pressure during plant shutdowns or urgent troubleshooting.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and compliance standards.

Depending on the location and the requirements of the position, the process may include a health examination (with a drug test) and/or a security clearance.

Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) is the world's leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with production on three continents. The company’s renewables production capacity is expected to reach 6.8 million tons annually in 2027. Neste also produces high-quality oil products at its Porvoo refinery in Finland. The company has a network of nearly 1,000 fuel stations with expanding service offering, such as EV charging, in Finland and in the Baltics.

Neste’s strategy focuses on growth in renewable fuels, which help its customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Neste is included in many international indices for its sustainability performance. In 2025, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 19.0 billion. Read more: neste.com