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Instrument Engineer Jobs in Baton Rouge, LA (NOW HIRING)

Job Title Instrument Engineer Location: Baton Rouge, LA FLSA Classification Exempt Orbital is seeking an Instrument Engineer with 10+ years of experience to support our Instrumentation Department in ...

Communicate design concerns, scope changes, and technical issues to the lead or senior engineer as they arise. * Assist in developing instrument packages, scopes of work, specifications, and ...

POSITION SUMMARY This Senior Instrument Engineer position is for a direct-hire working for HGA in the Baton Rouge, LA office. This position will report to the E&I Dept Manager. Candidate shall have ...

Senior Electrical Engineer

Baton Rouge, LA ยท On-site

$103K - $134K/yr

Instrument Engineer experience is a plus. Key responsibilities * Analyze project scopes and determine required design activities needed to complete complex electrical engineering design packages

Review and approve electrical, instrument, analyzer and controls equipment design, technology, and installation specifications for projects generated by the Capital Improvement (Engineering ...

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Instrument Engineer information

See Baton Rouge, LA salary details

$10.7K

$89.5K

$139.8K

How much do instrument engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for instrument engineer in Baton Rouge, LA is $89,450.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,100.00 and $112,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced skills, and sometimes certifications or advanced degrees.

What Does an Instrument Engineer Do?

As an instrument engineer, your job is to design and build mechanical and electronic instruments for your employer. Most instruments are purpose-built to accomplish specific objectives, such as measuring the presence of particular chemicals or the pressure within pipes. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of an instrument engineer often requires creativity, flexibility, and the ability to coordinate with other engineers. You may also need to manage supplies, test instruments, or work overtime as needed to develop better instruments. This job title refers exclusively to designing and building instruments that measure or control processes and should not be confused with jobs that design and create musical instruments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Instrument Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Instrument Engineer, you need a solid background in instrumentation, control systems, and process automation, often supported by a degree in engineering and relevant industry experience. Familiarity with tools like PLCs, DCS, SCADA systems, and certifications such as ISA CAP or equivalent are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in designing, maintaining, and troubleshooting complex systems. These competencies are vital for ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of industrial operations.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. These positions often require advanced degrees, certifications, and work in high-demand industries or high-cost-of-living regions.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and relevant certifications. These roles typically involve high responsibility, complex problem-solving, and may require working in high-demand industries or leadership positions.

What are some common challenges Instrument Engineers face when working on multidisciplinary project teams?

Instrument Engineers often collaborate with process, electrical, and mechanical engineers, which can present challenges in aligning technical requirements and project timelines. Integrating instrumentation with complex systems requires clear communication to ensure proper data flow and control functionality. Adapting to evolving project specifications and troubleshooting issues during commissioning are also common, making flexibility and problem-solving skills essential. Building strong relationships with colleagues across disciplines helps streamline the process and achieve project goals efficiently.

What is the difference between Instrument Engineer vs Control Systems Engineer?

AspectInstrument EngineerControl Systems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Instrumentation Engineering; certifications like Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)Bachelor's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Control Engineering; similar certifications in control systems
Work EnvironmentOil & gas, manufacturing, chemical plants, focusing on instrumentation and process controlAutomation, manufacturing, power plants, focusing on control system design and integration
Employer & Industry UsageIndustries requiring precise instrumentation for process controlIndustries implementing automation and control system solutions

Both roles involve engineering expertise in process control, but Instrument Engineers focus on selecting, installing, and maintaining instrumentation devices, while Control Systems Engineers design and optimize control algorithms and systems. They often collaborate but serve different technical functions within industrial settings.

What does an instrument engineer do?

An instrument engineer designs, develops, installs, and maintains control systems and instrumentation used in industrial processes. They work with sensors, controllers, and automation equipment to ensure accurate measurement and operation, often using tools like PLCs and SCADA systems. The role typically requires knowledge of engineering principles, safety standards, and relevant certifications.
What job categories do people searching Instrument Engineer jobs in Baton Rouge, LA look for? The top searched job categories for Instrument Engineer jobs in Baton Rouge, LA are:
Infographic showing various Instrument Engineer job openings in Baton Rouge, LA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,450 per year, or $43 per hour.
Instrument Engineer

Instrument Engineer

Orbital Engineering, Inc.

Baton Rouge, LA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Job Title

Instrument Engineer

Location:

Baton Rouge, LA

FLSA Classification

Exempt

Job Description:

Orbital is seeking an Instrument Engineer with 10+ years of experience to support our Instrumentation Department in our Baton Rouge, LA, office. This person would provide technical and project execution oversight for various projects. The position requires project and resource management experience in a consulting environment, and well-rounded expertise in heavy industrial retrofit engineering projects in the petrochemical, oil & gas and industrial gas industries.

The position requires the Senior Instrumentation Engineer to perform in varying roles related to personnel management, project management, senior technical support, and customer relationship development.

The ideal candidate will be a high performing, critically thinking, analytical, and experienced self-starter with excellent leadership skills, written and oral communication skills, customer service skills, and the ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others. Orbital culture values safety, communication, accountability, professionalism, integrity, and respect.

Essential Functions

  • Responsible for the execution of all activities of the department. Schedule, organize, direct and review all department resources and activities.
  • Hire staff, establish individual goals and expectations, and conduct performance reviews. Direct, develop, supervise and provide technical guidance to all direct reports.
  • Establish and execute operational plans for the department with respect to routine, tools and resources to ensure consistent operations and growth of skill sets.
  • Develop and implement policies, standards and procedures for the engineering and technical work performed in the department.
  • Lead instrumentation project engineering and develop contractor construction packages including instrument datasheets, equipment plans, cable/conduit routing plans, interconnecting wiring diagrams, loop diagrams and scopes of work. For larger projects, coordinate with other engineers and designers as required to execute the scope. Review calculations and deliverables for completeness and accuracy prior to issuance to client.
  • Prepare and guide/supervise the preparation of single or multidiscipline engineering proposals including development of scopes of work, project schedules and cost estimates.
  • Prepare, review and/or check engineering calculations, designs, drawings and other project documents related to this specific discipline on projects as required.
  • Develop, maintain and upgrade technical standards/specifications to be used on specific projects, as well as centralized design basis and historical references.
  • Provide enhanced customer support as a technical liaison and support regional business development initiatives as a technical resource.
  • Support the organization through interaction with managers and staff at other Orbital offices, including recruiting and training efforts.
  • Ensure all department operational and project activities are completed in accordance with Orbitalโ€™s Project Management system through implementation and enforcement of stated policies and requirements.
  • Lead projects with a variety of durations, prioritizing both long-term planning, as well as provide leadership in a fast-paced engineering environment requiring expedited turnaround.

Other Duties

Please note that this job posting does not list all duties and responsibilities that are required of this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation and Control Systems or Industrial Engineering from an accredited university is required.
  • A minimum of 10 years senior level engineering experience in the heavy industrial environments and marketplaces served is required.
  • Successful experience in leadership roles managing engineering teams and/or engineering departments is also required, preferably in a consulting engineering environment.
  • Superior communication and interpersonal skills with clients and engineering personnel are essential.
  • Project management experience including an understanding/use of project management and project control principles/tools is also preferred.
  • Knowledge and application of standards (ISA) that apply to instrumentation and controls and the current version of the NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC).
  • Proficient in reading, understanding and revising engineering deliverables including P&IDโ€™s and PFDโ€™s. specifications and data sheets for instrumentation, analyzers, and actuated valves, Cabinet Fabrication Drawings, Instrument Loop Diagrams, Logic diagrams, Instrument Installation Details, etc.
  • Experience and knowledge to specify equipment required for control systems (PLCโ€™s/DCSโ€™s) and attend FAT/SAT for that equipment.
  • Experience with SmartPlant Instrumentation (INTOOLS) or similar software
  • Professional Engineer (PE) License is preferred

Location Note:

This is an on-site or hybrid position. Compensation is based on market data and internal equity and may vary depending on the candidateโ€™s location.

Salary Range:

$145,000 - $165,000 annually (based on experience, qualifications, and location)

Benefits:

A commitment to excellence and hard work will be rewarded with a competitive salary, career advancement opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance. Our benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; a 401(k)-retirement savings plan; and supplemental insurance options. We also provide company-paid life and AD&D insurance, company-paid short-term disability coverage, and a generous paid time off program to ensure you have the support and flexibility you need both professionally and personally.

About Orbital:
Powered by People, Driven by Solutions

Since 1969, Orbital has been specializing in project development, project execution and asset management for the heavy industrial sectors and utilities. Our regional offices, hands-on mentality, and world-wide integrated teams provide an ability to leverage subject matter experts and industry best-practices wherever a project may lie geographically. Our focus steadfastly remains on finding and delivering the best solution, regardless of where that team sits across our organization. At Orbital, our power is our people.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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