Instrumentation Engineer

Actalent; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 103,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

HSA

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an experienced Instrumentation Engineer for a contract-based role in Houston, TX. The ideal candidate will design, specify, and support electrical and instrumentation systems across process and manufacturing projects, from concept through construction support, while guiding junior staff and ensuring compliance with codes and client requirements.

This role requires 10–15+ years in industrial instrumentation, strong NEC knowledge, and hands-on PLC and DCS/SIS experience.

Qualifications

• BS in Instrumentation, Controls, Electrical Engineering from an accredited university.
• 10–15+ years of relevant industrial experience in electrical and instrumentation engineering.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting of instrumentation and control systems.
• Experience with PC-based control systems, DCS, and SIS.
• Knowledge of NEC and ability to size control valves using engineering software.

Responsibilities

• Lead discipline on small to mid-sized projects, managing scope, schedule and budget.
• Provide on-site support during startup to assist commissioning and resolve issues.
• Develop installation specifications and construction drawings from vendor equipment.
• Review vendor drawings and ensure conformance with project requirements and standards.
• Perform fieldwork to collect site data and support construction activities.

Skills

Instrumentation engineering

PLC programming

P&ID development

Electrical design

Field engineering

NEC knowledge

Education

Bachelor of Science in Instrumentation, Controls, Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Instrumentation software

P&ID tools

Job description

Job Title: Instrumentation EngineerJob Description

The Instrumentation Engineer designs, specifies, and supports electrical and instrumentation systems for process and manufacturing projects, from conceptual studies through detailed engineering and construction support. This role applies advanced engineering techniques to complex designs, leads discipline activities on small to mid-sized projects, and provides technical guidance to less experienced team members while ensuring all deliverables meet project scope, specifications, codes, and client expectations.

Responsibilities

• Apply and follow established department design and drafting standards in all instrumentation and electrical design work.

• Review and understand project scope, specifications, and design criteria upon assignment to each project task team.

• Recognize scope and design changes promptly and communicate them clearly to project leadership.

• Provide on-site assistance during startup to support commissioning and resolve instrumentation and control issues.

• Offer technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced drafting and engineering personnel within the department.

• Coordinate work activities with other staff members and the discipline lead to ensure alignment and timely completion of tasks.

• Serve as discipline lead on small to mid-sized projects, managing scope, schedule, and budget for electrical and instrumentation deliverables.

• Produce estimate-level preliminary designs and material take-offs appropriate for the level of project estimating being performed.

• Prepare detailed design calculations and sketches for materials of construction, organizing calculations for efficient checking and use by drafters and designers.

• Develop and issue instrumentation installation specifications and construction specifications in accordance with project requirements and applicable standards.

• Create conceptual layouts and cost studies to determine efficient and practical solutions to engineering tasks.

• Produce installation details, connection diagrams, cable schedules, control panel layouts, grounding details, and instrumentation plans.

• Design systems that optimize the use of construction materials, emphasize ease of construction, and meet client expectations for performance and quality.

• Check calculations prepared by other engineers for accuracy and conformance to codes, specifications, design criteria, and good engineering practice.

• Assist the drafting group in resolving routine layout and detailing problems by providing clear sketches and details needed to complete engineering drawings.

• Consult with design leaders from other disciplines to ensure smooth flow of information and timely completion of multi-discipline project deliverables.

• Advise senior engineering staff about identified design or scope changes and their potential impact on project execution.

• Support other engineers in developing and assembling scopes of work, drawings, and specifications into complete packages for electrical and instrumentation purchase inquiries and subcontract pricing.

• Review and check vendor drawings and other discipline drawings for instrumentation requirements and provide necessary input and corrections.

• Review fabrication drawings and construction submittals to verify conformance with engineering drawings and specifications.

• Perform fieldwork to gather site data, verify tie-ins, and provide construction support during installation and commissioning phases.

• Apply discipline-specific methods, practices, and techniques required to design and construct process and manufacturing projects.

• Use advanced engineering techniques and analysis to solve complex instrumentation and control design challenges.

• Estimate and schedule professional service hours for electrical and instrumentation work and assess progress and quality against plan.

• Identify and develop work-sharing packages for interoffice execution support and provide leadership to ensure proper communication and completion within scope, schedule, and budget.

• Develop installation specifications and electrical installation documents using information from vendor equipment drawings.

• Determine construction material quantities and contribute to construction cost estimates, detailed engineering schedules, and man-hour budgets for small projects or defined areas of larger projects.

• Contribute to the development of P&IDs with respect to measurement and control functions.

• Develop control narratives and specify process instrumentation, including installation details and control valve sizing using appropriate software.

• Prepare specifications and data sheets for instrumentation, analyzers, control systems, and actuated valves, ensuring compliance with applicable standards.

• Act as discipline engineer of record for projects that require professional engineering certification, where applicable.

• Ensure knowledge and application of company engineering design standards and CAD drafting standards in all deliverables.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Instrumentation, Controls, Computer, or Electrical Engineering from an accredited university.

• 10–15+ years of relevant industrial experience in electrical and instrumentation engineering.

• Strong background in instrumentation engineering, instrumentation controls, and automation.

• Hands‑on experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting of instrumentation and control systems.

• Experience with PC‑based control systems, Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS).

• Knowledge and application of the current version of the National Electrical Code (NEC).

• Ability to perform lighting level calculations for industrial facilities.

• Familiarity with specifications and installation details of construction bulk materials and electrical/instrumentation equipment.

• Ability to create accurate electrical installation documents based on vendor equipment drawings.

• Ability to determine load center and unit substation loading for power distribution systems.

• Understanding of schedule constraints and information requirements for the production of all electrical and instrumentation deliverables.

• Ability to develop installation specifications for electrical and instrumentation systems.

• Ability to accurately estimate completion of assigned engineering and design tasks.

• Ability to develop construction cost estimates, detailed engineering schedules, and man‑hour budgets for small projects or defined areas of larger projects.

• Ability to determine construction material quantities for electric/ instrumentation work.

• Ability to contribute to the development of P&IDs with respect to measurement and control.

• Ability to develop clear and functional control narratives.

• Ability to specify process instrumentation and develop associated installation details.

• Ability to size control valves using appropriate engineering software.

• Ability to develop specifications and data sheets for instrumentation, analyzers, control systems, and actuated valves.

• Knowledge of instrumentation and controls standards, including ISA standards.

• Ability to act as discipline engineer of record on projects requiring professional engineering certification.

• Complete understanding of the skills and experience required to perform engineering and design functions in an industrial environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Professional Engineering registration is preferred but not required.

• Experience working on process and manufacturing projects with multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong coordination skills to collaborate effectively with other disciplines and project stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to lead discipline efforts on small to mid‑sized projects.

• Proficiency in applying company engineering design and CAD drafting standards.

• Ability to identify and develop interoffice work‑sharing packages and provide leadership to ensure successful execution.

• Strong communication skills to clearly convey scope changes, design decisions, and technical guidance.

• Attention to detail in preparing calculations, sketches, specifications, and installation documents.

• Capability to review vendor and fabrication drawings and provide thorough instrumentation input.

• Ability to perform fieldwork safely and effectively to gather data and support construction activities.

• background in P&ID development and instrumentation engineering within industrial environments.

Work Environment

This role is based primarily in an office environment, working with engineering and drafting teams to produce detailed electrical and instrumentation designs and documentation. The position involves regular collaboration with other disciplines, use of engineering software and CAD tools, and participation in project meetings and planning activities. Periodic visits to industrial sites may be required for field data collection, tie‑in verification, and construction support. The work setting emphasizes professional attire appropriate for an office‑based engineering role, with occasional adaptation to site‑specific safety and dress requirements when performing fieldwork. The organization offers a competitive salary structure, paid time off, and holiday benefits, supporting a professional culture focused on quality, safety, and effective project delivery.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $75.00 - $90.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

The benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News‑Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.