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Instrumentation Engineer Intern Jobs in Portland, OR

Instrumentation Engineer Intern information

See Portland, OR salary details

$14

$26

$41

How much do instrumentation engineer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for instrumentation engineer intern in Portland, OR is $26.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.92 and $30.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Instrumentation Engineer Intern vs Instrumentation Engineer?

AspectInstrumentation Engineer InternInstrumentation Engineer
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recently completed a degree in electrical, mechanical, or instrumentation engineeringBachelor's or master's degree in engineering; professional licensure may be required
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often in manufacturing, oil & gas, or automation industriesFull-time professional role in similar industries, with increased responsibilities
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with installation, testing, and maintenance of instrumentation systemsDesigning, implementing, and maintaining instrumentation systems and controls

The main difference between an Instrumentation Engineer Intern and an Instrumentation Engineer lies in experience and responsibilities. Interns are in training, assisting with tasks, while engineers are fully responsible for designing and managing instrumentation systems.

What does an instrumentation engineer intern do?

An Instrumentation Engineer Intern assists in designing, developing, and maintaining instruments and control systems used in various industries like manufacturing, oil and gas, or pharmaceuticals. Their tasks typically include supporting senior engineers in calibrating instruments, troubleshooting control systems, collecting data, and preparing technical reports. Interns also learn about industry standards, safety procedures, and the integration of sensors and automation equipment. This hands-on experience helps them gain practical knowledge and prepares them for a full-time engineering role.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as an instrumentation engineer intern?

As an Instrumentation Engineer Intern, you'll typically assist with the design, calibration, and testing of instrumentation systems used to monitor and control engineering processes. Expect to work closely with senior engineers, technicians, and other interns on tasks such as data collection, sensor installation, and troubleshooting control systems. You'll also have opportunities to participate in team meetings, contribute to project documentation, and gain hands-on experience with industry-standard software and equipment. This role is a great way to develop practical skills and gain exposure to the collaborative nature of engineering projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an instrumentation engineer intern?

To thrive as an Instrumentation Engineer Intern, you need a solid understanding of instrumentation principles, process control, and basic electrical or mechanical engineering, often supported by coursework in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as PLC programming software, data acquisition systems, and CAD platforms is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help interns excel in real-world project environments. These competencies are crucial for accurately assisting in the design, calibration, and maintenance of instrumentation systems while ensuring safety and operational efficiency.
What job categories do people searching Instrumentation Engineer Intern jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Instrumentation Engineer Intern jobs in Portland, OR are:
Infographic showing various Instrumentation Engineer Intern job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Internship, and 67% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $56,065 per year, or $27 per hour.

$130K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


U.S. Department Of Energy rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

145th of 844 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

This position is located in Protection, Control, & Instrumentation (TEZP) organization of Technical Services (TEZ), Transmission Engineering & Technical Services (TE), Transmission Services (T) of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).
A successful candidate will provide technical leadership for Transient Analysis and authoritative technical consultation, studies, and direction within Engineering and Technical Services as well as to the Transmission organizations.Qualifications:Qualifications:

BASIC REQUIREMENT:
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
-OR-
B. Combination of Education and Experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

  1. Professional Registration or Licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. -OR-
  2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.-OR-
  3. Specified Academic Courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.-OR-
  4. Related Curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)

For more information on how to meet the Basic Requirements please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-12] in the Federal service.Specialized experience for this position is defined as: applying electrical engineering principles and underlying concepts to plan and conduct a wide range of electrical engineering studies and assignments associated with planning, design, operation, maintenance, and modeling of power and transmission systems.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Physical Demands: The work is sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required in stooping, kneeling, bending, etc.
Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office. May require occasional travel.
CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.


Education:
This vacancy has a positive education requirement. In order to be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation.
Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.
Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".
Employment Type: OTHER

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