Instrumentation Analyst

National Aquarium; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 45,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Aquarium in Baltimore seeks an Instrumentation Analyst to ensure reliable operation of life-support, facility infrastructure, and building automation systems. You will install, calibrate, maintain sensors and instruments across water and air systems, and perform electrical work on motors and control panels.

You will collaborate with Life Support staff and external contractors, manage PLC/SCADA configurations, respond to alarms, and contribute to system upgrades and reliability

Qualifications

• Five years of hands-on controls automation, water or air instrumentation, or electrical experience preferred.
• Experience programming SCADA systems.
• Strong communication and organization skills across diverse work groups.
• Experience working with contractors.
• Ability to use asset tracking and work order systems.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot sensors, wiring, PLCs and other controls and electrical equipment.
• Maintain and calibrate process instruments (pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, etc.).
• Maintain PLC panels and controls wiring systems; adjust PLC/HMI as needed.
• Support SCADA/building automation, alarms, trending, and remote notifications.
• Respond to life-support alarms and contribute to preventive maintenance.

Skills

Controls automation

SCADA programming

Contractor coordination

Asset tracking

Electrical safety

Instrumentation

Maintenance operations

Job description

National Aquarium Pier 3
410-576-8532
501 E Pratt St
Baltimore, MD 21202, USA

JOB SUMMARY:

The National Aquarium is seeking an Instrumentation Analyst. The analyst is responsible for ensuring reliable functioning of the instruments, sensors, and controls behind the aquarium's life support and facility infrastructure and the building automation systems. The role chooses, installs, calibrates, maintains, and troubleshoots water quality and building system sensors, instruments, and performs electrical work on motors, control panels, and related equipment. The role works directly with the Aquarium’s outside controls automation contractor and serves as point of contact and Aquarium advocate for the PLC and SCADA systems; it is also responsible for assessing industry trends and innovations in order to continue to upgrade critical life support and life safety monitoring. This position is part of the Facilities team and works closely with Life Support staff, Animal Care teams, and Project Managers. It plays a direct part in animal welfare by keeping critical systems monitored and operating, which includes responding to alarms and emergencies. The position is focused on instrumentation, but as part of the larger facilities team, is also expected to help with overall troubleshooting and maintenance of building systems as needed. This is an on-site, 5 day a week position, with 24/7 emergency response required when necessary.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Essential responsibilities include:

Instrumentation & Controls

• Troubleshoot sensors, wiring, monitoring probes, PLCs, and other controls and electrical equipment.
• Make decisions on new equipment, systems, and monitoring needs and innovations, in collaboration with the Directors of Facilities and Life Support and the VP of Environmental Quality and Facilities.
• Install, calibrate, and maintain process instruments across water and air systems, including pH, ORP, dissolved oxygen, conductivity/salinity, temperature, ozone, and flow, level, and pressure sensors
• Assist the facilities and life support teams in maintaining valves, actuators, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and other equipment (to include HVAC and lighting)
• Maintain up to date inventory of instrumentation and controls equipment, including installation and maintenance dates

PLCs, SCADA, & Automation

• Maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot PLC panels and controls wiring systems
• Troubleshoot and make approved changes to PLC programming and HMI screens
• Support the SCADA/building automation systems, including alarm setpoints, trending, historical data, and remote alarm notifications
• Diagnose communication issues across industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, 4–20 mA, etc)
• Work with our controls vendor and engineering staff on upgrades, new exhibit commissioning, and control system projects
• Serve as point of contact for Johnson Controls and other current and future contractors on controls needs, issues, and upgrades
• Stay up to date on industry trends and norms and research new equipment and processes

Electrical

• Perform minor electrical work, alongside aquarium electricians: replacing motors, contactors, relays, fuses, breakers, and control wiring
• Troubleshoot 120/240/480V control and power circuits, motor control centers, and control panels using multimeters and other tools
• Support backup power systems, including generator and UPS testing

Operations & Reliability

• Respond to life support and equipment alarms, including participation in an on-call needs for after-hours emergencies
• Carry out preventive maintenance programs on sensors and instrumentation to reduce unplanned downtime on critical systems
• Perform general maintenance or emergency troubleshooting on all aquarium systems as needed, as part of the facilities team
• Keep accurate maintenance records, as-built drawings, and spare parts inventories
• Collaborate with Life Support Operators, animal care, and water quality staff to support animal welfare and exhibit stability
• Identify recurring failures and recommend improvements to system reliability, redundancy, and efficiency

Safety & Compliance

• Work safely around water, chemicals (ozone, sodium hypochlorite, acids/bases), and mechanical and electrical equipment
• Follow lockout/tagout (LOTO), arc flash, and confined space safety procedures
• Follow all applicable OSHA, electrical, and chemical handling regulations and Aquarium safety programs

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five years of hands-on controls automation, water or air quality instrumentation, or electrical experience(aquarium, hospital, or water treatment plant experience preferred)
• Experience programming SCADA systems
• Strong communication and organization skills, with demonstrated experience and comfortability working across various types of work groups
• Demonstrated experience working with contractors
• Demonstrated ability to utilize asset tracking and work order systems
• Practical skills in instrumentation and electronics as it relates to aquarium systems
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work on small and delicate pieces of equipment
• Proven understanding of mechanical and electrical best safety practices
• Must be able to pass DOT physical requirements and drive National Aquarium vehicles according to the Insured Driver Policy. Valid driver's license required
• Ability to perform hands-on repairs, climb stairs and ladders, detect visual and audible alarms, detect odors, and work in both indoor and outdoor environments
• Demonstrated ability to uphold workplace safety standards in industrial settings and in settings located around open water

TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION:

Salary range ($45,000-$55,699 Annual). National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including four weeks paid time off, and six paid floating holidays and up to four weeks of paid family leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work. Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.

About the National Aquarium

Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands‑on field conservation work.The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

Our Mission and Goals

The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.

Our Values

At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.

Connection:

We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.

Curiosity:

We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.

Optimism:

We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.

Service:

We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.

Wellbeing:

We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.

In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, and separation, and general treatment during time of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.