1

Senior Instrumentation And Controls Engineer Jobs in California

Vast is looking for an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer , reporting to the Senior Manager, Engineering (E-2), to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Senior Instrumentation And Controls Engineer information

See California salary details

$78K

$115.3K

$162.8K

How much do senior instrumentation and controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior instrumentation and controls engineer in California is $115,309.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,800.00 and $135,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineer do?

A Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and managing systems that monitor and control engineering processes. They work with instruments and control systems to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of manufacturing or industrial facilities. Their work often involves selecting appropriate instrumentation, programming control systems, troubleshooting issues, and leading project teams. In addition, they may be involved in ensuring compliance with safety and industry regulations.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineers in large-scale industrial projects?

Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating new technologies with legacy systems, managing tight project deadlines, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Collaboration across multidisciplinary teams—like process, electrical, and mechanical engineering—is crucial for successful system design and implementation. Balancing technical leadership with hands-on troubleshooting and mentoring junior engineers is also a key aspect of the role, especially when overseeing commissioning and startup phases.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical or control systems engineering, experience with instrumentation design, and typically a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Proficiency in PLC/DCS programming, SCADA systems, and industry-specific standards (such as ISA or IEC), as well as relevant certifications like PE or ISA CAP, is highly valued. Strong problem-solving, project management, and communication skills help you lead teams and coordinate with multidisciplinary stakeholders. These competencies are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable automation solutions in complex industrial environments.

What is the difference between Senior Instrumentation And Controls Engineer vs Instrumentation And Controls Technician?

AspectSenior Instrumentation And Controls EngineerInstrumentation And Controls Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, professional engineering license often preferredTechnical diploma or associate degree in instrumentation or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign, project management, system integration in industrial or manufacturing settingsInstallation, maintenance, troubleshooting of instrumentation systems on-site
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, manufacturing plants, oil & gas, power generationIndustrial facilities, maintenance companies, plant operations

The Senior Instrumentation And Controls Engineer typically focuses on system design, project oversight, and engineering analysis, requiring higher education and certifications. In contrast, the Instrumentation And Controls Technician handles hands-on installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting tasks. Both roles are essential in industrial settings but differ in responsibilities, qualifications, and work scope.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Instrumentation And Controls Engineer jobs in California? For Senior Instrumentation And Controls Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Instrumentation And Controls Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Instrumentation And Controls Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Senior Instrumentation And Controls Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Senior Instrumentation And Controls Engineer job openings:
Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

Anvil Corporation

Caspar, CA

Other

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Job Description: JOB SUMMARY
This is a mid-level control systems and instrumentation engineer position. The position requires strong technical ability to perform engineering tasks, ability to work independently with guidance, working knowledge and understanding of stage-gated industrial projects, and strong communication skills in written, spoken, and personal formats. Our mid-level engineers are expected to work largely independently, with basic guidance from a lead engineer or project leader. This position requires enough technical experience and competence to perform the majority of controls and instrumentation engineering tasks on a variety of projects without senior support, and to quickly recognize when an engineering problem requires more expertise. A successful candidate may desire either a technical career path, or a path directed toward leadership and management.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES - TECHNICAL
Read and develop Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
As-build control and instrument systems in the field, producing accurate markups of documents and drawings
Specify and size instrumentation in all applications of industrial control: flow, pressure, level, temperature
Able to recognize when unique solutions are needed for instrumentation and control items in difficult services
Specify and size control valves and regulators: self-contained, pneumatic, sliding stem and rotary
Understand and apply basic material and alloy considerations for instruments in various industrial processes
Specify and design infrastructure for industrial communication and control networks
Specify and design wiring, conduit, and cable tray methods for NEC-hazardous classified areas
Prepare detailed design of projects in compliance with governing codes, regulations, and client standards
Integrate control strategies and wiring with electrical motor controls related to motor starters, VFDs, electrical safety relays, electrical monitoring networks, etc.
Specify HMI, PLC, and DCS hardware and wiring.
Understand physical and soft I/O and point types, create I/O lists for project scope, and review loop drawings
Basic understanding of design considerations for control panel layout, wiring, BOM, etc.
Working knowledge of industrial equipment (pumps, vessels, heaters, flares, etc) and respective considerations for instrument design
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES - OTHER
Familiar with and able to work within stage-gated project processes and requirements
Prioritize work based on guidance from team leader and project leaders
Perform effectively in a team environment, both in-person and remotely
Strong communication and organizational skills
Able to develop basic engineering and design budgets and provide input to project schedules
Experience developing construction packages for small to medium projects ($1MM to $30MM TIC)
Able to point out and provide solutions for drawing consistency, quality, and presentation errors in deliverables.
Highly detail oriented with a strong, self-driven work ethic
Able to identify areas of personal technical strengths and weaknesses, ask for help when needed, and quickly learn new responsibilities
Able to evaluate equipment in the field, including climbing ladders, flights of stairs, etc.
Able to travel to remote work sites on occasion
Strong computer skills - Microsoft Applications
Fluent in English language
Applicants must be able to obtain a TWIC card.RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIESProvide instrument engineering for small to large capital and maintenance projects
Develop scope for projects in the detailed design phase; provide input to project plans and deliverable lists
Review and provide input to basic project schedules
Develop project P&IDs of moderate complexity
Develop procurement specifications, documentation, and data sheets of basic to moderate complexity
Perform detailed vendor document reviews
Establish engineering budgets for small projects
Develop basic Total Installed Cost (TIC) estimate Material Take-Offs (MTO)
Work within an engineering budget, forecast work, manage scope and budget
Develop detailed specifications and construction packages
Write detailed construction scope of work documents for basic to moderately complex projects
Perform Factory and Site Acceptance tests (FAT/SAT) on vendor equipment. Travel may be required.
Perform quality checks on ones’ own work
Adhere to Anvil’s Project Services Quality System (PSQS)
Perform work with minimal supervision and guidance
Work within a small team of engineers and designers; guide and direct design team in development of construction work packages
Work with other technical resource groups and project management to meet the requirements of a given project
Develop and foster working relationships with vendor and client representatives
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
B.S. in Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical or Control Systems Engineering - required
3+ years of professional experience within the oil and gas or related industry - required
P.E. or Prof. Eng. in Control Systems Engineering - preferred
ISA or TUV certification in Functional Safety - preferred
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Able to work in heavy industrial facilities: climb ladders, work off elevated surfaces, and walk over uneven surfaces while wearing required PPE
Able to sit for long periods of time working at a computer
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time
PREFERRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Basic working knowledge of INtools (SPI)
Specify and design Pressure Safety Valves
Some experience in front-end project development (FEL 1-2)
Working knowledge and basic understanding of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)
Working knowledge of PLC and DCS HMI design, point configuration, and control types
Basic DCS and/or PLC programming experience
Basic knowledge of specialty instrumentation and control for rotating equipment
Experience working on-site at an industrial facility in maintenance, reliability, or projects groups
Specify and size motor-operated valves (MOVs) and corresponding control schemes
Basic understanding of analyzers for various purposes, both in-situ and extractive
Interpret and design ladder logic, both for hardwired relay systems and software
Create test plans and perform Factory and Site Acceptance Tests; review and approve vendor FAT/SAT plans
Create high-level and detailed control design and configuration documents, such as Control Narratives, Cause & Effects diagrams, Logic diagrams, and block diagrams.
Understand and participate in Process Hazard Assessments (PHAs) and Layer of Protection Analyses (LOPA)