Instrumentation & Controls Engineering Specialist

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Instrumentation & Controls Engineering Specialist to support the maintenance, design, installation, optimization, and lifecycle management of instrumentation, control, automation, and Operational Technology (OT) systems within our facilities.

Reporting to Maintenance, this role will provide hands-on technical expertise in SCADA, DCS, PLC, process instrumentation, industrial networks, and control systems. The successful candidate will analyze system requirements, troubleshoot and optimize control loops, develop and install PLC logic, support commissioning and startup activities, and provide technical support to Operations and Maintenance.

The ideal candidate has strong process-industry experience, a solid understanding of distributed control systems and measurement instrumentation, and the ability to work independently while supporting multidisciplinary engineering and maintenance teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, configure, and optimize SCADA, DCS, PLC, and OT systems to ensure reliable plant operation.
• Troubleshoot control-system hardware, software, instrumentation, communication systems, and industrial networks.
• Develop, modify, test, and install PLC and control logic in accordance with engineering requirements and site standards.
• Analyze instrumentation and control-system data to identify process improvements and optimization opportunities.
• Repair, overhaul, maintain, configure, select, and install instrumentation and control equipment.
• Optimize control loops and support loop tuning and process-control improvements.
• Provide troubleshooting and technical support to Operations and Maintenance teams for process-control issues.
• Support the lifecycle management, reliability planning, upgrades, and replacement strategies for control-system equipment.
• Partner with Maintenance to plan and execute scheduled maintenance activities and critical work while minimizing plant downtime.
• Administer control-system, OT, and communication-system modification requests through the Management of Change (MOC) process.
• Maintain accurate documentation for DCS configurations, PLC programs, control-system changes, instrumentation, and maintenance activities.
• Review and develop control-system documentation, including P&IDs, instrumentation diagrams, control-loop drawings, cause-and-effect diagrams, and control narratives.
• Participate in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), HAZOP, LOPA, and shutdown reviews to improve process safety and system reliability.
• Support SIS/SIL activities and ensure instrumentation and control systems meet applicable safety requirements.
• Participate in multidisciplinary engineering projects from design and development through implementation, commissioning, and startup.
• Support project execution within established schedule, budget, safety, and quality requirements.
• Ensure instrumentation and control systems comply with applicable safety, regulatory, engineering, and industry standards.
• Maintain appropriate access and security controls for critical OT and control-system resources.
• Provide technical guidance and support to operations, maintenance, engineering, and project teams.
• Identify opportunities to improve plant reliability, control performance, automation, safety, and operational efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Instrumentation & Controls, Automation, Electrical Engineering, Process Engineering, Software Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• 5+ years of industrial experience working with and programming DCS, PLC, SCADA, or similar control systems.
• Strong hands-on experience with process control and industrial instrumentation.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting PLC and DCS systems in an industrial/process environment.
• Experience with ABB 800xA and Allen-Bradley PLCs is an asset.
• Understanding of Advanced Process Control (APC) and process optimization techniques.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, instrumentation drawings, and control logic diagrams.
• Experience with commissioning and startup of DCS and PLC-controlled equipment is an asset.
• Previous process-plant or operations experience is an asset.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.