Senior Hardware Design and Instrumentation Engineer

E Tech Group; Portsmouth (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) + match

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

Paid time off and holidays

Training and career growth

Job summary

E Tech Group is seeking a Senior Hardware Design and Instrumentation Engineer in the New England region. Hybrid work arrangement with local driving travel ~50% supports design, testing, and startup of control systems at client facilities.

You will lead hardware/instrumentation projects, specify panels and field wiring, and troubleshoot automation systems. The role requires 5+ years in process-plant automation, PLC/HMI expertise, and strong collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience executing automation projects for process plants.
• BS Engineering degree or equivalent educational background.
• Knowledge of NFPA 70E & UL 508A and instrumentation standards.
• Experience with PLC/HMI, control loop tuning, and startup services.
• Experience with Ethernet/Industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet).
• Experience with VFDs (PowerFlex, Sinamics) and electrical circuits including 24V/120V/480V power and 0-10 VDC, 4-20 mA signals.
• Experience at customer sites and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Lead or work on a project team for design, configuration, and testing of control hardware and instrumentation.
• Plan and coordinate work across multiple projects to meet client deliverables.
• Provide expert advice to project leadership and customers for technical solutions.
• Troubleshoot non-functional instrumentation and control systems to optimize performance.
• Travel to client facilities as needed to participate in design, development, and startup.
• Serve as hardware and instrumentation SME in automation.
• Promote company core values and collaboration within teams.

Skills

Automation projects

PLC & HMI

Electrical instrumentation

Control system design

Education

BS Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

AutoCAD

Industrial networks

VFDs

Control panels

Job description

At E Tech Group, joining our team means joining a group of passionate and forward-thinkingexperts. We’re one of the largest engineering and system integration firms in the United States providing value for our clients through IT automation and control solutions for more than 30years to the Life Sciences, Mission Critical, Metals & Mining, Warehousing & Distribution, and CPG/Food & Beverage industries. Our national and global scaleallows us to help our clients develop and implement standardized solutions at any of their facilities regardless of physical location or the local resources available at that site.

We’re seeking a Senior Hardware Design and Instrumentation Engineer to join our team. In this role, you’ll bring a well-rounded engineering background and the ability to work independently across a variety of hardware design and instrumentation responsibilities, including instrument specification, panel design, field wiring design, instrument loop checks, equipment commissioning, and troubleshooting. You’ll be part of a talented, collaborative team focused on developing thoughtful solutions for our clients’ most complex automation challenges.

Location: New England

Hybrid with local driving travel (approximately 50%)

You will:

• Lead or work on a project team responsible for the design, configuration, and testing of control system hardware and instrumentation.
• Understand project scope and exercise good time management skills to plan and coordinate work across multiple projects ensuring completion of all project deliverables to the satisfaction of the client.
• Anticipate and provide solutions to project leadership and/or customer giving high priority to customer satisfaction offering strong technical expertise and advisement as part of the project team.
• Troubleshoot control system instrumentation that is non-functional, out of spec, or in need of optimization.
• Adapt to a flexible work schedule and travel, if necessary, to participate in the design, development, and start-up of control systems at the client’s facility.
• Act as a hardware and instrumentation Subject Matter Expert in the automation field.
• Be an ambassador who embodies our Core Values, prioritizing the success of E Tech Group, our clients, and the professional development of our associates.

You have:

• 5+ years of hands-on experience executing automation projects for process plants.
• BS Engineering degree or equivalent educational background.
• Knowledge of industry and regulatory standards, design criteria and codes relevant to Instrumentation and Controls: NFPA 70E & UL 508A
• Demonstrated ability to develop process control system applications, utilizing Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), tuning control loops, providing control system startup services, troubleshooting existing control systems and providing control system qualifications.
• Expertise with the design, implementation and troubleshooting of control system network topology, i.e. Ethernet, Ethernet/IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet, etc.
• Knowledge of process instrumentation specification, installation & troubleshooting, and control panel design, check-out, commissioning & troubleshooting.
• Experience making schematic modifications in AutoCAD.
• Experience working around voltages <600 and familiar with lockout-tagout (LOTO) procedures required to do this safely.
• Experience designing, testing, and troubleshooting electrical circuits including power distribution, protection, relaying, switching, and control signals:
  • 24VAC/VDC, 120VAC single phase, and 480VAC three phase power
  • 24VDC, 120VAC discrete control signals
  • 0-10 VDC, 4-20mA analog control signals
  • RTD and Thermocouple control signals
  • Power/signal bus communication networks such as ASi
• Expertise with the selection, commissioning and troubleshooting of variable frequency drives (VFD), including parameter configuration (i.e. Allen-Bradley PowerFlex or Siemens Sinamics lines).
• Hands-on experience rapidly troubleshooting and solving equipment & instrument-related issues during start-up and commissioning and perform complex system testing.
• Experience working at customer sites supporting the installation & commissioning of equipment and systems.
• A DNA comprised of collaboration and teamwork.

You may have:

• Experience with industry and regulatory standards: UL 1203, IEC 60204, and IEC 61508.
• Professional Engineering (PE) License.
• Experience configuring managed switches and their complex networks a plus.

Benefits & Perks:

• 401k + match + prompt enrollment. E Tech Group employees are 100% vested upon entry.
• Prompt enrollment into Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits.
• Generous paid time off that includes paid vacation, paid holidays, paid family leave and sick time off.
• Learning and growth are key parts of the E Tech culture. We provide you with training and continuing education from day one, so you can advance your career. As an E Tech associate, you can unlock your greatest potential through challenges and opportunities.

E Tech Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, military status, genetic information, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by law. E Tech Group will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and for religious beliefs. E Tech Group is an Affimative Action Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.