Senior Instrumentation Engineer (PE)

HDR, Inc.; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Senior Control Systems Engineer who will perform complex engineering assignments and develop technically accurate control system documents. This role requires a minimum of 10 years of experience in control systems, with both design and cybersecurity focus.

The ideal candidate will coordinate with project teams and provide leadership throughout project cycles, ensuring that all deliverables are met on schedule. The position is based in Phoenix, Arizona, with opportunities to engage in diverse projects across multiple locations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years experience designing control systems.
• Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license required.
• Experience in managing control systems tasks and projects.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex assignments in engineering techniques.
• Develop control system construction documents.
• Coordinate with project managers on budget and schedules.

Skills

Control systems programming

SCADA system design

Project management

Cybersecurity knowledge

Networking skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Master’s degree in relevant engineering field

Tools

Microsoft Office

PLC programming software

HMI software

Job description

Senior Control Systems Engineer

Responsibilities

• Perform complex assignments exercising judgment in evaluation, selection and modification of standard engineering techniques and procedures
• Coordinate control system discipline staff workload through design development and construction document phases to complete documents on schedule
• Review control systems documents for areas of conflict with all disciplines
• Write and edit instrumentation and controls systems specifications, and select equipment and monitoring/control devices
• Develop biddable and technically accurate SCADA and Control Systems construction documents including P&IDs, network architecture diagrams, control panel layouts and wiring diagrams, installation details, loop drawings, and technical specifications
• Coordinate with and assist affected disciplines with addenda, RFIs, CPRs and change orders, and take responsibility to incorporate agreed-upon changes into the project documents
• Make decisions on significant design and engineering procedures as needed
• Supervise and develop a small staff of professionals and technicians as needed
• Provide construction contract administration as needed
• Lead or support SCADA and network Master Planning projects as needed
• Travel to client facilities to participate in field activities to assess and document the current state of installed control systems
• Participate in and lead design review and planning meetings with the client
• Lead the development of preliminary engineering reports and studies focused on recommending and developing solutions for improvements to client control systems
• Serve as Engineer of Record responsible for the development of biddable and technically accurate control system construction documents
• Interface with Electrical, Process, and Cybersecurity specialists to fully coordinate design requirements for network, power, control, and instrumentation
• Lead the selection and specification of facility and process instrumentation, control panels, and network equipment
• Lead the development of biddable and technically accurate control system construction documents including P&IDs, process flow diagrams, network architecture diagrams, control panel layouts and wiring diagrams, installation details, loop drawings, and technical specifications
• Participate in system testing and commissioning activities
• Coordinate with project manager and section manager to update workplans for control systems staff assigned to your project, and to track budget and schedule performance for the control systems team
• Participate in joint scoping and proposal development working with clients and marketing staff
• Participate in the planning and specification of applied technology solutions including instrumentation and control, advanced automation and control, artificial intelligence, networking, data management & analytics, augmented reality, and vision control
• Provide Quality Control (QC) reviews of control system designs
• Contribute to Control System Technical Leadership Team and drive corporate initiatives for quality and strategic growth within the Control Systems Discipline
• Active participation in industry professional societies to contribute to the development of standards, participate in the development and delivery of presentations and whitepapers at industry trade shows and conferences, and develop article content for general industry and market sector specific newsletters and periodicals
• Conduct systems integration of the SCADA systems, including programming of PLCs/PCs and HMI customizing for various control software programs
• Review electrical documents for areas of conflict with all disciplines
• Lead control systems design teams to produce deliverable packages for several concurrent projects, including writing and editing instrumentation and controls specifications, selecting instrumentation, developing sequences of operations, and creating control system drawings
• Coordinate the work of the control system engineers with the balance of multi-disciplined team throughout a project's design development and construction, including power coordination, panel locations, remote equipment monitoring, integration to third‑party systems, networking, and device locations
• Track financial aspects of projects, coordinate, and adjust the work effort with the team to ensure that the work is completed within budget
• Conduct schematic, design development, and contract document working sessions with clients
• Establish and maintain client relationships, participate in marketing, design and production meetings regarding instrumentation and control systems
• Act as a mentor for junior staff members
• Support Section Manager in preparing proposals
• Report project status, performance, and quality updates to the Control Systems Section Manager
• Lead IC network assessment tasks including network mapping and asset inventories
• Maintain a working knowledge of secure networking standards to include NIST‑800, ISA‑62443, UFC‑4‑010‑06 and others required by client
• Provide network and system specification documentation deliverables to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the security controls necessary to mitigate the vulnerabilities to an acceptable level of risk
• Participate in project meetings and provide specification deliverables in coordination with other HDR team designers, programmers, implementers, architects, and engineers
• Mentor internal and external clients on networking topics
• Participate in control systems master planning efforts
• Participate in construction administration services including contractor submittal review
• Serve as a cross‑sector IC resource for HDR engineering project teams servicing critical infrastructure; ability to design, develop, deploy, and commission in a virtual/cloud environment
• Participate in pre‑project system/network cybersecurity risk assessment
• Participate in and/or validate cybersecurity commissioning (CFAT/CSAT) or audits of IC networks/systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years experience designing control systems, including schematics and loops
• Previous work experience with an A&E/Consulting Engineering firm
• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• Hands‑on experience designing SCADA systems, including schematics and loops
• Experience with control panel design and panel wiring
• Experience with instrumentation setup, configuration, and calibration
• Minimum of 10 years of control systems programming experience
• Experience managing control systems tasks, projects, and teams
• Experience with startup and commissioning
• Knowledge of automation hardware (Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell, Emerson/GE, Foxboro, Modicon/Schneider‑Electric, Siemens, etc.)
• Knowledge of HMI software (Wonderware/AVEVA, iFix, FactoryTalk, VTScada, Ignition, Emerson Ovation, Delta V, etc.)
• Knowledge of industrial network equipment such as network switches, industrial firewalls, radio/RTU communication, cellular modems
• Previous work experience with a Systems Integration firm
• Minimum of 10 years experience designing building automation or building management systems, including schematics and loops
• Experience managing control systems projects
• Hands‑on experience designing building management system (BMS) schemes
• Knowledge of control systems and sequence of operations for building systems (HVAC, electrical/power monitoring, lighting, etc.)
• Knowledge of multiple communication platforms and protocols (BACnet, LonWorks, Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU, Ethernet‑I/P)
• Knowledge of cybersecurity considerations in control systems
• Knowledge of networks, DDC hardware/software, and HMI software used in building management applications
• Data Center experience (plus)
• Direct Digital Control (DDC) programming experience (plus)
• Internet of Things (IoT) knowledge and experience (plus)
• Minimum of 10 years experience designing cybersecurity mitigations for Operational Technology Systems
• Experience leading control systems vulnerability assessments
• 10+ years of experience working in critical infrastructure (Federal/DoD, Oil & Gas, Chemical, Water/Wastewater, Power Generation, etc.)
• 10+ years of experience in network design and system configuration (firewalls, protocols, ports, VLANs, VMs, route configuration)
• Data analysis experience (Wireshark PCAPs, Intrusion Detection Systems)
• Experience with HVAC control systems (BACnet and IP protocols)
• Experience with multiple control system types (PLC based, DCS, BMS, SIS)
• IT experience/certifications in networking, encryption, programming, scripting, database design
• Cybersecurity Standards experience (ISA 62443, DoD RMF, ISO, NERC/FERC, etc.)
• Certified GICSP, CISSP, CISM or equivalent

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field
• Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products
• Commitment to active participation in employee‑owned culture
• Minimum of 10 years applicable experience

Primary Location: United States-Arizona-Phoenix

Other Locations: United States-Arizona-Tucson, United States-New Mexico-Albuquerque

Industry: Building Engineering

Schedule: Full‑time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Control Systems and OT Cybersecurity

Job Posting: May 23, 2026

#LI-JM8