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Safety Instrumented System Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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I&E Engineer

Carson, CA · On-site

Experience with PLCs, control systems, interlocks, and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS). * Working ... EIT or Professional Engineer (PE) certification is a plus. * Strong communication, project ...

Evonik

Senior Automation Engineer - SIS

Lafayette, IN · On-site

$100K - $131K/yr

The Senior Automation Engineer - SIS provides support to Tippecanoe production and support areas ... Provide design of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) including conducting SIL assessments ...

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How much do safety instrumented system engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for safety instrumented system engineer in the United States is $66.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54.33 and $79.09 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Safety Instrumented System Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Safety Instrumented System Engineer, you need a solid background in control systems engineering, process safety, and safety standards like IEC 61511, usually supported by a degree in engineering and relevant work experience. Familiarity with safety PLCs, Distributed Control Systems (DCS), safety lifecycle management tools, and certifications such as TÜV Functional Safety Engineer are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and ensuring system integrity. These competencies are essential to design, implement, and maintain safety systems that protect people, assets, and the environment in high-risk industrial settings.

What are Safety Instrumented System Engineers?

Safety Instrumented System (SIS) Engineers are specialized professionals responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining automated safety systems in industrial environments, such as oil and gas, chemical, and manufacturing plants. Their primary role is to ensure that safety systems, like emergency shutdowns and alarms, function correctly to protect people, equipment, and the environment from hazardous incidents. SIS Engineers work closely with other engineering disciplines to assess risks, develop safety requirements, and verify that safety systems comply with industry standards. They are essential for maintaining regulatory compliance and minimizing operational risks.

What are some common challenges faced by Safety Instrumented System Engineers on large industrial projects?

Safety Instrumented System Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compliance with international safety standards (like IEC 61511), integrating safety systems with existing plant control systems, and managing complex documentation requirements. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—such as process engineers, control engineers, and project managers—is essential to align safety requirements with operational needs. Additionally, these engineers must frequently troubleshoot unexpected issues during commissioning and ensure that all safety functions are properly validated before start-up.

What is the difference between Safety Instrumented System Engineer vs Control Systems Engineer?

AspectSafety Instrumented System EngineerControl Systems Engineer
CertificationsFunctional Safety certifications (e.g., IEC 61511, IEC 61508)Control system design and programming certifications (e.g., PLC, DCS)
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plants, process industries, safety-critical systemsManufacturing, automation, process control environments
Industry UsageProcess safety, oil & gas, chemical manufacturingAutomation, manufacturing, building management
Primary FocusEnsuring safety integrity and risk reductionOptimizing control processes and system performance

The Safety Instrumented System Engineer focuses on designing and maintaining safety systems to prevent accidents, emphasizing safety integrity and risk management. In contrast, the Control Systems Engineer concentrates on controlling and automating processes for efficiency. While both roles work within industrial environments and may require technical certifications, their core responsibilities differ significantly in safety versus control optimization.

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What cities are hiring for Safety Instrumented System Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Safety Instrumented System Engineer job openings:
What job categories do people searching Safety Instrumented System Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Safety Instrumented System Engineer jobs are:
Safety Instrumented System Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Safety Instrumented System Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 38% Full Time, and 59% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,121 per year, or $66.9 per hour.

Instrumentation & Electrical Reliability Engineer

Hudson Manpower

Long Beach, CA • On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Contractor

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Overview:
Our client is seeking an Instrumentation & Electrical Reliability Engineer to support the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of a large continuous-process chemical manufacturing facility. This position is being created due to a recent retirement and represents a critical technical leadership role within the site. The successful candidate will serve as the primary instrumentation and electrical subject-matter expert, providing day-to-day troubleshooting support, driving reliability improvements, and leading instrumentation and power-system initiatives across the facility.
While the role retains responsibility for the site's electrical distribution and power systems, the preference is for a candidate with a stronger background in instrumentation, controls, and process automation. This individual will serve as the site's primary technical liaison with Southern California Edison and will work closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, and capital project teams to ensure long-term asset reliability and operational excellence.
LOCATION: Long Beach, California
  • Provide technical support for instrumentation, controls, and electrical power distribution systems to ensure safe and reliable plant operations
  • Lead and support troubleshooting efforts involving instrumentation, electrical equipment, and control systems
  • Participate in Process Safety Management (PSM) activities, hazard reviews, and risk assessments
  • Support Management of Change (MOC) activities including documentation updates, programming validation, training, and implementation
  • Review engineering design packages and capital project documentation to ensure compliance with engineering standards and project requirements
  • Develop and execute reliability improvement initiatives for instrumentation and electrical assets
  • Maintain critical equipment lists and ensure compliance with site reliability and regulatory requirements
  • Perform Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) investigations and implement corrective actions
  • Manage and improve preventive maintenance programs for electrical distribution and instrumentation systems
  • Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) related to equipment reliability and maintenance effectiveness
  • Support Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, and startup activities for capital projects
  • Maintain electrical and instrumentation documentation including single-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, schematics, and equipment records
  • Provide technical guidance for power distribution systems, MCCs, VFDs, motors, transformers, substations, UPS systems, and field instrumentation
  • Coordinate activities with contractors, engineering firms, utilities, and internal stakeholders during maintenance and project execution

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required
  • Minimum 4+ years of experience in Instrumentation, Electrical, or I&E Reliability Engineering within a manufacturing environment
  • Chemical, petrochemical, refining, polymer, or other continuous process manufacturing experience strongly preferred
  • Strong knowledge of electrical power distribution systems, instrumentation, process controls, and reliability engineering methodologies
  • Experience with PLCs, control systems, interlocks, and safety instrumented systems (SIS)
  • Understanding of applicable industry standards including ANSI, ISA, IEC, API, NFPA, and NEC
  • Familiarity with IEC 61511, Safety Instrumented Systems, and functional safety concepts preferred
  • Experience supporting capital projects from design through startup and commissioning
  • Knowledge of P&IDs, PFDs, instrumentation loop drawings, and electrical schematics
  • Experience conducting Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) and implementing reliability improvements
  • Formal NFPA 70E training preferred
  • EIT or Professional Engineer (PE) certification is a plus
  • Strong communication, project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

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