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Instrument And Control Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

Instrumentation Engineer II

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$70 - $90/hr

Summary An Instrument Engineer II (IE II) applies developing expertise to a variety of instrumentation and control engineering tasks for midstream/facilities oil & gas projects. This role involves ...

An Instrument Engineer II (IE II) applies developing expertise to a variety of instrumentation and control engineering tasks for midstream/facilities oil & gas projects. This role involves taking on ...

... instrument indexes, with attention to tags, line numbers, and discipline interfaces * Review ... engineering disciplines * Coordinate deliverables, transmittals, and document control among ...

QA/QC Engineer

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$80 - $120/hr

... instrument indexes, with attention to tags, line numbers, and discipline interfaces * Review ... engineering disciplines * Coordinate deliverables, transmittals, and document control among ...

... instrument indexes, with attention to tags, line numbers, and discipline interfaces * Review ... engineering disciplines * Coordinate deliverables, transmittals, and document control among ...

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Instrument And Control Engineer information

See Houston, TX salary details

$25

$48

$73

How much do instrument and control engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for instrument and control engineer in Houston, TX is $48.87, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.12 and $55.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an instrument and control engineer do?

An Instrument and Control Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, installing, managing, and maintaining equipment used to monitor and control engineering systems, machinery, and processes. They ensure that instruments and control systems are reliable, efficient, and operate safely within industrial facilities such as power plants, manufacturing plants, and oil & gas refineries. Their work involves selecting appropriate instruments, integrating control systems, troubleshooting faults, and optimizing processes for performance and safety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an instrument and control engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Instrument and Control Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical or instrumentation engineering, strong analytical skills, and typically a bachelor's degree in a related field. Proficiency with PLCs, DCS systems, SCADA software, and industry standards like ISA is essential, and certifications such as Certified Automation Professional (CAP) can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set top professionals apart in this role. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of industrial processes and support ongoing technological advancements.

What are some typical challenges faced by instrument and control engineers when working on multidisciplinary project teams?

Instrument and Control Engineers often collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and process engineering teams. A common challenge is ensuring that control systems are seamlessly integrated with other engineering disciplines, which requires clear communication and a deep understanding of project specifications. Additionally, adapting to rapidly changing project requirements and managing tight deadlines while maintaining safety and compliance standards can be demanding. Building strong working relationships and proactively addressing potential integration issues early in the design phase helps to mitigate these challenges.

What is the difference between Instrument And Control Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectInstrument And Control EngineerElectrical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Electronics, or Control Engineering; certifications like Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering; similar certifications in electrical systems
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plants, manufacturing facilities, process industriesPower plants, electrical design firms, manufacturing
Industry UsageProcess control, automation, instrumentation systemsPower systems, electrical equipment, circuit design
Job FocusDesign, install, and maintain control systems and instrumentationDesign and develop electrical systems and components

While both roles require a background in electrical engineering and similar certifications, the Instrument And Control Engineer specializes in automation, control systems, and instrumentation within industrial settings. In contrast, the Electrical Engineer focuses more broadly on electrical systems, power distribution, and circuit design. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What can I do with instrument and control engineering?

Instrument and control engineers design, develop, and maintain systems that monitor and regulate industrial processes, such as manufacturing, energy production, and chemical processing. They work with control systems, sensors, and automation tools, often using programming languages like PLC or DCS, to ensure efficient and safe operation of equipment. This field offers opportunities in industries like oil and gas, power generation, and pharmaceuticals, requiring technical skills and knowledge of industry standards.

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Instrument And Control Engineer jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Instrument And Control Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Instrument And Control Engineer job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,318 per year, or $52.1 per hour.

Instrument and Controls Designer

Audubon Companies

Houston, TX โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

The Senior Instrument & Controls Designer is responsible for leading the design, development, and coordination of instrumentation and control system deliverables for industrial facilities including oil & gas, LNG, petrochemical, refining, and chemical processing projects. This position applies advanced technical knowledge and extensive design experience to independently execute complex assignments, support multidisciplinary coordination, and ensure compliance with project specifications, industry standards, and client requirements.

The Senior Instrument & Controls Designer provides technical guidance to junior designers, supports project execution activities, and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives throughout all phases of engineering, procurement, fabrication, and construction.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead the development and preparation of detailed instrumentation and control system drawings, layouts, wiring diagrams, loop diagrams, installation details, and assembly drawings from engineering designs, markups, and specifications
  • Develop and maintain:
    • Instrument location plans
    • Cable tray layouts
    • Conduit routing drawings
    • Junction box layouts
    • Wiring interconnection diagrams
    • Loop drawings
    • Hook-up drawings
    • Marshalling cabinet layouts
    • Control panel layouts
  • Interpret verbal and written engineering direction to initiate and complete preliminary and final instrument/control system designs
  • Perform instrument and electrical design calculations including:
    • Cable sizing
    • Conduit sizing
    • Voltage drop calculations
    • Cable tray fill calculations
  • Support development and implementation of:
    • PLC systems
    • DCS systems
    • SIS/ESD systems
    • Control logic schematics
    • Relay logic and interlock diagrams
  • Review and optimize application and functionality of instrumentation and control systems
  • Check and verify accuracy and completeness of drawings and deliverables prepared by others
  • Prepare and maintain:
    • Bills of materials (BOMs)
    • Instrument indexes
    • I/O lists
    • Cable schedules
    • Procurement packages
    • Material take-offs
  • Revise drawings, models, and documentation consistent with engineering changes and company change management procedures
  • Implement revisions and change control processes in accordance with company standards and project requirements
  • Assemble information and reference documentation from multiple disciplines and sources
  • Identify opportunities for design improvements, constructability enhancements, and cost reductions
  • Determine optimal drawing/model views and layouts to effectively communicate installation and construction requirements
  • Review field redlines and generate accurate as-built documentation
  • Support preparation and review of Operation & Maintenance (O&M) manuals and turnover packages
  • Utilize 2D and 3D CAD software to create and maintain instrumentation and controls design deliverables
  • Create technical documentation supporting procurement, fabrication, installation, and construction activities
  • Support Engineering Change Order (ECO) development and implementation
  • Analyze impacts of proposed design changes and identify potential interferences or constructability issues
  • Coordinate with:
    • Process engineers
    • Electrical engineers
    • Mechanical engineers
    • Piping designers
    • Automation specialists
    • Vendors and contractors
  • Produce deliverables in accordance with company standards while maintaining project schedule and budget requirements
  • Maintain proper electronic file management and document control practices
  • Interact and communicate effectively with clients, subcontractors, vendors, and project teams
  • Track and maintain awareness of project schedules, manpower requirements, and budget impacts
  • Comply with all company and client HSSE standards and applicable regulations
  • Participate in hazard identification, safety observations, and incident reporting programs
  • Position requires candidate to work from clients office 5 days a week

Qualifications:

  • High School Diploma or GED required
  • Associate's Degree from a Technical Institution preferred
  • Minimum 10+ years of instrumentation and controls design experience in:
    • Oil & gas
    • LNG
    • Petrochemical
    • Refining
    • Chemical processing
    • Midstream facilities
  • Advanced proficiency with:
    • AutoCAD
    • SPI / SmartPlant Instrumentation (Intools)
    • 3D modeling platforms such as:
      • PDMS
      • E3D
      • AutoCAD Plant 3D
  • Strong working knowledge of:
    • Instrumentation design standards
    • ISA standards
    • NEC requirements
    • PIP standards
    • Client specifications
  • Experience with:
    • PLC systems
    • DCS systems
    • SIS/ESD systems
    • Industrial networking and communications layouts
  • Extensive field experience and ability to perform site walkdowns independently
  • Experience leading small to medium-sized projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams
  • Ability to independently solve complex design and constructability issues
  • Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills
  • Ability to read and understand:
    • Engineering drawings
    • P&IDs
    • Wiring diagrams
    • Loop diagrams
    • Instrument specifications
  • Ability to mentor junior designers and support team development
Preferred
  • Experience with LNG facilities strongly preferred
  • Experience supporting global engineering execution teams preferred
  • Familiarity with laser scan integration and intelligent 3D modeling environments preferred
  • Experience with document management systems and project workflows preferred

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