Contract Electrical Engineering Jobs in Riverside, CA

Project Engineer - Electrical Engineering (Instrumentation & Controls)

Position summary: Lead and deliver Instrumentation & Controls projects from concept through turnover for industrial facilities focused on machine controls, automation, and power distribution. Manage scope, schedule, budget, and risk while coordinating engineering, procurement, contractors, operations, and stakeholders to ensure safe, compliant, and cost-effective execution.

Key responsibilities:

• Plan, develop, and execute Instrumentation & Controls projects (new builds, retrofits, upgrades, reliability/improvement projects) for industrial machinery and process lines.  Be a champion for IIOT implementations.
• Define project scope, budgets, schedules, milestones, and success criteria; maintain and report on project performance (cost, schedule, change control).
• Deliver detailed technical requirements for machine control systems (PLC/RTU, HMI/SCADA, safety PLCs, VFDs, servo drives), power distribution, motor control centers (MCCs), and field instrumentation.
• Oversee engineering design review, constructability review, value engineering, and technical compliance with codes (NEC, NFPA 70E, IEC as applicable).
• Manage procurement and vendor selection for electrical equipment, panels, drives, cables, controls and instrumentation; review quotes, lead times, and technical submittals.
• Coordinate contractors, electricians, integrators, and automation vendors; issue work packages, monitor quality, and enforce safety and project standards.
• Lead commissioning, factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), functional testing of controls and safety systems, and handover to operations.
• Identify and mitigate technical, schedule, and cost risks; drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and maintain project documentation: specifications, drawings, change orders, work permits, close-out files, and O&M manuals.
• Communicate project status to stakeholders and senior management; chair project meetings and coordinate interdepartmental interfaces.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety requirements; promote safe work practices.
• Assist the maintenance departments with problems that occur throughout the facilities.
• Assist the maintenance departments with calibration procedures; Perform, document, and schedule calibration on instruments (pressure gauges, electronic tools, thermal sensors) against certified standards. Maintain accurate, detailed records of all calibration activities and test results in compliance with quality management systems.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related engineering discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of electrical engineering experience in industrial/manufacturing environments, including 3+ years managing capital projects.
• Hands-on experience with industrial machine controls and automation: PLC programming and architecture, HMI/SCADA (Aspen IP21, OSIsoft/Avevea), safety PLCs, drives (VFDs, servo), industrial networks (Ethernet/IP,  Modbus, LoRoWAN), and field instrumentation.
• Strong knowledge of power distribution, motor control, MCC design, grounding, cable routing, and electrical load calculations.
• Demonstrated project management skills: budgeting, scheduling (MS Project or similar), cost control, procurement, contract management, and change control.
• Proven experience with commissioning and testing of machine controls, integration with MES/ERP desirable.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with automation platforms (e.g., Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider) and SCADA systems.
• Experience in safety standards and functional safety (ISO 13849, IEC 61508/61511) and NFPA 70E arc flash analysis.
• Experience working in continuous process, discrete manufacturing, packaging, or heavy industry.

Core skills:

• Strong technical leadership and decision-making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Vendor and contractor negotiation skills.
• Risk management and problem solving.
• Ability to read and produce electrical schematics, P&IDs, control narratives, and wiring diagrams.
• Proficiency with project software (MS Project, Excel), CAD/Electrical (AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN), and document control systems.

Other:

• Must be a US Citizen or Green Card holder

You will get:

• Competitive salary and benefits package. The U.S. base salary range reasonably expected to be paid for this position is $98,720 to $123,400 per year. Since actual compensation packages are based on a variety of factors unique to each candidate we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted base salary range. Total compensation for this role also includes bonus and/or other incentives.
• 16, or more, weeks of maternity/paternity and co-parenting leave, according to local regulations
• Training platform for all employees
• Free well-being sessions (physical and psychological)

About us

• Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates. Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and health care applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.
• At Syensqo, we seek to promote unity and not uniformity. We value the diversity that individuals bring and we invite you to consider a future with us, regardless of background, age, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability or identity. We encourage individuals who may require any assistance or accommodations to let us know to ensure a seamless application experience. We are here to support you throughout the application journey and want to ensure all candidates are treated equally. If you are unsure whether you meet all the criteria or qualifications listed in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.
• Syensqo is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.