2

Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

Controls Engineer I

Rosenberg, TX · On-site

$68K - $88K/yr

Minimum required qualifications: • Associate or bachelor's degree in Instrumentation and Controls, Electronical Engineering, or a related discipline preferred. • Work experience or technical ...

Controls Engineer I

Rosenberg, TX

$68K - $88K/yr

Minimum required qualifications: • Associate or bachelor's degree in Instrumentation and Controls, Electronical Engineering, or a related discipline preferred. • Work experience or technical ...

Controls Engineer I

Rosenberg, TX

$68K - $88K/yr

Associate or bachelor's degree in Instrumentation and Controls, Electronical Engineering, or a related discipline preferred. Work experience or technical certificate/program in lieu of degree will be ...

Controls Engineer I

Rosenberg, TX

$74K - $96K/yr

Minimum required qualifications: • Associate or bachelor's degree in Instrumentation and Controls, Electronical Engineering, or a related discipline preferred. • Work experience or technical ...

Controls Engineer I

Rosenberg, TX · On-site

$68K - $88K/yr

Minimum required qualifications: • Associate or bachelor's degree in Instrumentation and Controls, Electronical Engineering, or a related discipline preferred. • Work experience or technical ...

Controls Engineer II

Houston, TX

$79K - $103K/yr

A solid understanding of instrumentation and controls (I&C) * A solid understanding of engineering documentation (P&IDs, process flow diagrams, standard operating procedures) * Experience with field ...

Controls Engineer II

Houston, TX

$79K - $103K/yr

A solid understanding of instrumentation and controls (I&C) * A solid understanding of engineering documentation (P&IDs, process flow diagrams, standard operating procedures) * Experience with field ...

Controls Engineer-Houston, TX

Houston, TX · On-site

$79K - $103K/yr

Controls Engineer Houston, TX | Onsite | 6+ Month Contract iSphere is looking for a Controls ... instrumentation and control system documentation • Exceptional attention to detail and data ...

I&C Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$58/hr

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Controls, or related) or equivalent experience ... Proven experience developing control system documentation, electrical, and instrumentation design ...

I&C Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$58/hr

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Controls, or related) or equivalent experience ... Proven experience developing control system documentation, electrical, and instrumentation design ...

I&C Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$58/hr

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Controls, or related) or equivalent experience ... Proven experience developing control system documentation, electrical, and instrumentation design ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Instrumentation Controls Engineer information

See Houston, TX salary details

$27

$52

$78

How much do entry level instrumentation & controls engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level instrumentation & controls engineer in Houston, TX is $52.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.62 and $59.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level instrumentation & controls engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer, you need a degree in electrical, mechanical, or control systems engineering and a solid understanding of process control fundamentals. Familiarity with PLC/DCS programming, SCADA systems, and industry-standard software like AutoCAD or MATLAB is typically required, and certifications such as EIT/FE can be advantageous. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help you excel in collaborative engineering environments. These competencies ensure accurate system design, smooth project execution, and effective troubleshooting in complex industrial settings.

What types of projects and tasks can an entry level instrumentation & controls engineer expect to work on in their first year?

As an Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer, you can expect to assist with designing, configuring, and testing control systems for industrial processes, such as those found in power plants, manufacturing, or water treatment facilities. Your responsibilities may include creating wiring diagrams, selecting and specifying instrumentation, supporting field installations, and collaborating with senior engineers or project managers. You'll also likely help troubleshoot control system issues and participate in commissioning activities, providing valuable hands-on experience. This role offers a blend of office-based design work and on-site support, giving you exposure to both technical and practical aspects of engineering projects.

What does an entry level instrumentation & controls engineer do?

An Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer assists with the design, installation, and maintenance of systems that measure and control industrial processes. They work under the supervision of senior engineers to develop control systems, select appropriate instruments, and ensure that equipment operates safely and efficiently. Typical responsibilities include preparing technical documentation, troubleshooting control systems, and supporting project execution. This role often serves as a starting point for engineers interested in automation, process control, or industrial systems.

What is the difference between Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer vs Entry Level Electrical Engineer?

AspectEntry Level Instrumentation & Controls EngineerEntry Level Electrical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Controls Engineering; certifications like CAP or ISA are a plusBachelor's in Electrical Engineering; PE license optional for entry level
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plants, manufacturing facilities, automation systemsPower plants, electronics manufacturing, construction sites
Employer & Industry UsageProcess industries, automation companies, oil & gas, manufacturingUtilities, electronics, consulting firms, construction
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference is that Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineers focus on designing, installing, and maintaining control systems and instrumentation used in industrial processes, while Entry Level Electrical Engineers work on electrical systems, power distribution, and circuitry. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications but serve different technical functions within the industry.

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer jobs in Houston, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer jobs in Houston, TX are:

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $108,318 per year, or $52.1 per hour.

Instrumentation and Controls Engineer III

RWDY Inc

Spring, TX • On-site

$100/hr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Instrumentation and Controls Engineer III
Compensation: $100/hr
Location: Spring, TX
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 40 hours/week with overtime; approval required after 50 hours
Target Start Date: ASAP
Tentative End Date: One year from start date
Job Description
The Instrumentation and Controls Engineer III will support facilities engineering teams in the Midland Basin. Primary responsibilities include conducting field walks, preparing IC&E drawing markups with an emphasis on instrumentation and controls, routing Management of Change documentation, and providing engineering support for upstream oil and gas facilities.
The engineer will monitor, troubleshoot and optimize instrumentation, control systems, and low- and medium-voltage electrical equipment. This position will also support brownfield upgrades, greenfield projects, shutdowns, equipment maintenance, incident investigations, risk assessments, HAZOPs and operational-improvement initiatives.
Responsibilities
  • Conduct field walks and prepare IC&E drawing markups.
  • Route and support Management of Change documentation.
  • Monitor and troubleshoot instrumentation, electrical equipment and control systems.
  • Specify instruments, sensors, control devices and LV/MV electrical equipment.
  • Support the installation and commissioning of IC&E equipment.
  • Participate in risk assessments, HAZOPs, Hazard Hunts and incident investigations.
  • Identify operational-improvement opportunities and develop project scopes.
  • Support repairs and alterations to plant equipment through the MOC process.
  • Troubleshoot instrument loops, controls, PLCs, DCS platforms, SCADA systems and electrical-distribution equipment.
  • Provide engineering support during facility shutdowns.
  • Support brownfield upgrades and greenfield projects.
  • Prepare and review engineering deliverables, including:
    • P&IDs
    • Electrical one-line diagrams
    • Cause-and-effect diagrams
    • Control narratives
    • Panel and instrument-loop wiring diagrams
    • Installation details
    • Instrument indexes
    • Cable schedules
  • Ensure engineering work complies with company specifications, industry standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Coordinate with facilities engineers, machinery engineers, operations, maintenance personnel and contractors.
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
  • Demonstrated upstream oil and gas production-support experience.
  • Strong knowledge of equipment maintenance and maintenance programs.
  • Ability to read and review P&IDs, electrical one-lines, panel wiring diagrams and instrument-loop diagrams.
  • Experience with PLC, DCS, SCADA and Fire and Gas systems.
  • Experience retrofitting or upgrading control and protective systems.
  • Knowledge of instrumentation used in hazardous locations.
  • Experience selecting and applying pressure, flow and level measurement systems.
  • Instrument-loop troubleshooting, controls diagnostics and tuning experience.
  • Knowledge of LV/MV motor-control systems, including contactors, smart overloads, soft starters and VFDs.
  • Experience specifying transformers, switchgear, protective relays, MCCs, drives, motors and power cables.
  • Familiarity with Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, RS-485, RS-232, MQTT, radio and fiber-optic communications.
  • Power-generation and electrical-distribution troubleshooting experience.
  • Familiarity with protective-relay settings, testing and coordination.
  • Familiarity with Ignition, Seeq or Spotfire, including operations dashboard development.
  • Working knowledge of ISA, ISA 84, API RP 551, NEC, NETA MTS and NFPA 70E.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
  • Ability to handle tight deadlines, heavy workloads and changing priorities.
  • Fluent written and spoken English.

Ideal Candidate Profile
The strongest candidate will be a senior IC&E engineer with direct upstream production-facility experience who can work across both instrumentation/control systems and LV/MV electrical systems. The candidate should be comfortable conducting field walks, marking up drawings, routing MOCs, troubleshooting operating equipment and reviewing detailed engineering deliverables. Direct experience supporting Permian Basin brownfield facilities, shutdowns, PLC/DCS upgrades and hazardous-area electrical applications will be especially valuable.
 

Powered by JazzHR

8W91uUEwfK