| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Engineering |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Design Engineering Manager |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 3 to 6 years in instrumentation design |
Instrumentation Design Engineer job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Instrumentation Design Engineer
Department: Engineering
Reports to: Design Engineering Manager
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An Instrumentation Design Engineer designs the measurement and control instrumentation for a plant. They prepare the instrument index, data sheets, hook up drawings and loop diagrams, size control valves and flow elements, and specify the control system IO. The role sits in the design office. A good Instrumentation Design Engineer selects the right instrument for each duty, gets loop drawings right and delivers a package the site can install and commission cleanly.
Key responsibilities
- Prepare the instrument index and specify instruments for each measurement and control duty.
- Write instrument data sheets for transmitters, valves, switches and analysers.
- Size control valves, flow elements and relief devices for each service.
- Prepare loop diagrams, hook up drawings and cable and junction box schedules.
- Define the control system IO list and interface with the DCS or PLC design.
- Review vendor instrument drawings and technical bids for compliance with the datasheet.
- Support cause and effect and safety instrumented function design.
- Coordinate with process, electrical and piping on instrument locations.
- Answer site queries and issue revised instrument documents after commissioning.
Requirements
- Degree or diploma in instrumentation or electronics engineering
- Knowledge of instrumentation standards
- Control valve and flow sizing experience
- 3 to 6 years in instrumentation design
KRAs and KPIs for a Instrumentation Design Engineer
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Instrument selection | Instruments correctly rated for duty with no field replacements after design |
| Loop accuracy | Loop diagrams correct with zero wiring errors at commissioning |
| Deliverables | Instrument package issued on the dated schedule |
| Valve sizing | Control valves sized right with no rework after vendor review |
| Vendor review | Instrument vendor drawings reviewed within 3 working days |
| Coordination | Zero instrument location clashes reported from site |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: SmartPlant Instrumentation or AutoCAD, Valve sizing software, MS Excel, P&ID software, Instrument datasheet templates.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Design Engineer, Design Engineering Manager, Instrumentation Lead
Interview questions for a Instrumentation Design Engineer
- How do you select a flow meter for a given service?
- Walk me through sizing a control valve.
- What goes into a complete loop diagram?
- How do you handle instruments in a hazardous area?
- How do you build a cause and effect matrix for a unit?
- A transmitter reads wrong at commissioning. How do you trace it?
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What does an Instrumentation Design Engineer do?
An Instrumentation Design Engineer designs the measurement and control instruments for a plant. They build the instrument index, write data sheets, size valves and flow elements, prepare loop and hook up drawings and define the control system IO. Their job is the right instrument for each duty and a package the site can commission cleanly.
What is the difference between instrumentation and automation engineering?
Instrumentation engineering focuses on field devices: measuring and specifying transmitters, valves, analysers and their wiring. Automation engineering focuses on the control system: PLCs, logic, HMIs and integration. Instruments feed signals to the automation system, so the two disciplines work closely on IO, loops and cause and effect.
What qualifications does an Instrumentation Design Engineer need?
A degree or diploma in instrumentation or electronics engineering, with knowledge of instrument sizing, control valves and relevant standards. Employers value experience in loop and hook up drawings, data sheets and hazardous area design, plus comfort with instrumentation design software.