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Instrument Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Wood Plc

Instrument Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

Overview / Responsibilities Wood is gathering resumes for an Instrument Engineer with willingness to lead projects for the discipline for the Houston, TX Office (this is a mid to senior level ...

Genesis Technical Staffing, Inc.

Be Seen First

Instrument & Controls Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

The role of Controls & Instrument Engineer is to support the Engineering Lead and Product Engineering Manager. They will be accountable for the electrical scope and systems in large scale data ...

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All JobsInstrument Engineer JobsInstrument Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

Instrument Engineer information

See Houston, TX salary details

$11.9K

$100.2K

$156.6K

How much do instrument engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for instrument engineer in Houston, TX is $100,173.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,000.00 and $125,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

Are instrument engineers in demand?

Instrument engineers are in demand in industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and power generation, where they design, install, and maintain control systems and instrumentation. The profession requires technical skills, certifications, and knowledge of automation tools, and job opportunities are expected to grow with ongoing infrastructure and technological development.

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.

More about Instrument Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Instrument Engineer jobs in Houston, TX? The most popular types of Instrument Engineer jobs in Houston, TX are:
What are popular job titles related to Instrument Engineer jobs in Houston, TX? For Instrument Engineer jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Instrument Engineer jobs in Houston, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Instrument Engineer jobs in Houston, TX are:
What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Instrument Engineer jobs? Cities near Houston, TX with the most Instrument Engineer job openings:
Instrument Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Instrument Engineer job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,173 per year, or $48.2 per hour.

Instrument Engineer

Wood Plc

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Overview / Responsibilities

Wood is gathering resumes for an Instrument Engineer with willingness to lead projects for the discipline for the Houston, TX Office (this is a mid to senior level position). This individual will support various projects at the Park Ten Campus.

Authorization to work permanently in the U.S. without sponsorship required

Responsibilities entail:

  • Executing the work plan for the on-time and on-budget delivery of all Instrument and Control deliverables
  • Good understanding of the design of facility Instrument and Controls:
    • Process Control and Safety System functional requirements
    • Process Instrumentation application, installation and hook up.
    • Control and Safety System installation and hook up, including field wiring, power requirements and circuit design
  • Participate in the production of:
    • Process Control and Safety system input to P&IDs
    • Instrument Index, I/O List
    • Instrument Selection and Sizing Calculations
    • Instrument Specifications, Datasheets, Requisitions, Bid Tabulations
    • Control System & Safety System Specifications
    • Control and Safety Logic definition including Cause & Effect, and SAFE Charts
    • Control system Wiring Diagrams and Loop Diagrams
    • Instrument location plans, Installation details (Hook Ups) and Bill of Materials (MTO)
    • Control Panel Fabrication drawings
    • Equipment layout drawings
  • Broad knowledge of applicable codes and regulatory requirements
  • Coordination with all other project disciplines for maximum integration of design
  • Provide field construction support as required by the project

Lead responsibilites entail:

  • Understand and execute the scope defined for the Instrument discipline
  • Develop staffing plans
  • Support estimates
  • Develop schedule of activities in coordination with other discipline leads
  • Manage material requisitions and planning
  • Identify changes in scope and coordinate at a project level for change management
  • Quality management of deliverables
  • Effective and timely communication with all team members including issuance of reports.
Skills / Qualifications

Successful candidate will possess:

  • 5+ years' experience in Instrument Design Engineering related to the oil and gas industry
  • Bachelor of Engineering from an Accredited College or University (Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering Degree preferred)

Credentials:

NCEES Professional Engineer License (preferred)

NCEES Engineer-In-Training (preferred)

Physical requirements:

Occasional field visits, climbing stairs, ladders and lifting up to 25 lbs

Potential visits to offshore sites (helicopter, boat)

Company Overview

Wood is a global leader in engineering and consultancy across energy and the built environment, helping to unlock solutions to some of the world's most critical challenges. We provide consulting, projects and operations solutions in more than 60 countries, employing around 40,000 people. www.woodplc.com

Diversity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.

Employment Type: OTHER

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