Controls & Instrumentation Engineer

Location: Austin, TX

Type: Contract to Hire | Onsite/Hybrid

Industry: Manufacturing

Our client is looking for a dynamic Controls & Instrumentation Engineer to help build and optimize the intelligent systems that power mission-critical operations — from HVAC and chilled water to compressed air and beyond.

This role focuses on the design, specification, and implementation of control systems and instrumentation across complex mechanical and process environments, including HVAC, chilled water, compressed air, and related systems. The Controls & Instrumentation Engineer will collaborate across teams to ensure reliable operation, system optimization, and documentation standards are consistently met.

Key Responsibilities

• Select and size instrumentation and control devices based on application requirements for mechanical and process systems.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation including P&IDs, control schematics, panel layouts, and installation drawings.
• Create instrument datasheets, generate RFQ packages, and perform technical bid evaluations to support procurement efforts.
• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and internal teams to validate system designs and ensure alignment with quality and documentation standards.
• Support the design of scalable, plant-wide control network architectures with a focus on high reliability and uptime.
• Collaborate with HMI and software development teams to improve usability and streamline data exchange.
• Assist field teams and contractors during construction phases, providing technical guidance and troubleshooting support.
• Develop construction documents in both 2D and 3D formats that accurately define scopes of work and system layouts.
• Provide controls expertise during system outages and operational incidents to ensure timely resolution.
• Manage multiple project scopes under tight deadlines while maintaining technical accuracy and adherence to standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Automation, Control Systems, or similar) or equivalent experience.
• 2–5 years of relevant experience in controls or instrumentation engineering, preferably in automation or electromechanical systems.
• Strong understanding of control valve sizing, instrumentation datasheets, and ANSI standards.
• Ability to interpret mechanical, plumbing, and process drawings to appropriately size and select sensors and instrumentation.
• Experience using tools such as SPI (InTools) for managing instrument data, terminations, and calibration ranges.
• Familiarity with industrial network protocols including Ethernet/IP, Profinet, and Serial Communications.
• Working knowledge of PLC platforms (Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Beckhoff) and HMI software (Ignition, WinCC preferred).
• Proficient in selecting and specifying circuit protection, wiring, sensors, PLC hardware, remote I/O, and instrumentation.
• Familiarity with Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD for drafting and model integration.
• Experience with modern programming languages (Python, Java, C, VB) and relational databases (MSSQL, MySQL, Access) is a plus.