Control and instrumentation engineer: Job

description and activities

On this page…

1. Job description
2. Typical work activities

Job description
A control and instrumentation engineer (CI engineer) is essentially responsible
for designing, developing, installing, managing and/or maintaining equipment
which is used to monitor and control engineering systems, machinery and
processes.

The main objective of the work of CI engineers is to ensure that these systems
and processes operate effectively, efficiently and safely. They usually work for
the companies who manufacture and supply the equipment, or for the companies
who use it.

CI engineers need a thorough understanding of the operational processes of an

organisation and have a truly multidisciplinary role, working closely with
colleagues across a number of functions, including operations, purchasing and
design.

Typical work activities

Control and instrumentation engineers (CI engineers) will develop skills in
specific control disciplines such as advanced process control (APC), distributed
control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLC), and supervisory
control and data acquisition (SCADA). The use of these disciplines will depend
on the exact nature of individual job roles. Tasks and responsibilities which are
common to many CI engineer positions, however, may include:

 designing and developing new control systems;

 maintaining and modifying existing systems;
 managing operations;
 working collaboratively with design engineers, operation engineers,
purchasers and other internal staff;
  liaising with clients, suppliers, contractors and relevant authorities (e.g. the
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority);
 project management within cost and time constrained environments;
 troubleshooting and problem-solving;
 understanding and ensuring compliance with the health and safety
regulations and quality standards of the country in which work is undertaken;
 providing advice and consultancy support;
 purchasing equipment;
 writing computer software;
 developing new business proposals;
 accepting responsibility and a level of accountability commensurate with
the seniority of the position.

DCS Programmer & Engineer Sample Job Description

 Automation Recruiters works with clients and candidates in the automation

and controls industry. Below is a sample job description for one common type
of position. If you are interested in submitting your resume for any of our
current job openings, please send it to: resumes@automationrecruiters.com.


 The DCS Programmer / Engineer shall have and demonstrate skills in

requirements gathering, design, configuration, integration and
implementation of process control solutions including batch software, DCS
systems, HMI packages, SCADA systems, PC networking technology. The
ideal candidate must have knowledge of process manufacturing field
instrumentation, technology and batch process manufacturing expertise in all
of the following project phases: Requirements documentation, detailed
design generation, implementation, system integration, testing and on-site
startup. Daily responsibilities include solutions implementation and support
of the project team objectives. This position may receive technical direction
from a lead process engineer. This position demands a team player
approach to project execution. Plans and coordinates technical design and
engineering implementation of project work.

 Must have proven experience with any of the following DCS Systems:
ABB, Foxboro, Honeywell, Emerson, Westinghouse, Bristol Babcock, etc.
Must have proven experience with any of the following HMI or SCADA
software packages Wonderware, Rockwell, Intellution, GE Cimplicity, Ci-
Tech, Iconics, Siemens, US Data, etc.

 The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in programming
leadership as well as the ability to develop and implement standard
engineering practices, as well as provide detailed documentation upon
project completion. This person will be the project technical lead and may be
 responsible for some project management activities. A BS in Electrical,
Chemical or Computer Engineering is desired. A minimum of 5 years
experience in a similar position is required. Experience in Food or Beverage
Processing, Chemical, Bio-Tech, and Pharmaceutical industries is a plus.

Definition and Nature of the Work

Systems engineers design and coordinate large and complex projects known as
systems. There are many kinds of systems, and although all are large, they vary in
their complexity. A system has many parts that all interact extensively with one
another. Often small systems can be part of larger systems. For example, a jet
airliner can be a system. So, too, can all of the airplanes owned by one airline. All
of the airplanes in a country make up a more extensive system. An even larger
and more complex system includes all of a nation's transportation facilities.
Systems engineers can work at various levels in the design and coordination of
these systems.

Some other examples of systems are water and food distribution networks,
experimental manned space flights, and military defense programs. Systems
engineers also work on telephone systems, electric power systems, and sewage
systems.

Systems engineers are responsible for coordinating the work of many engineers,
each of whom is an expert in one part of a system. For instance, in the building of
a jet airliner, electronics specialists are responsible for the guidance and control
systems. Structural engineers design the body of the plane. Other experts decide
on a power source for the jet. Still others design landing and takeoff methods.
Each specialist concentrates on one area. The systems engineer coordinates all of
these specialized efforts in order to produce the jet airliner.

Systems engineers work at various levels in the design and coordination of large and complex projects
known as systems. (© Martha Tabor/Working Images Photographs. Reproduced by permission.)

Both government and private industry employ systems engineers to solve

complex scientific and engineering problems, such as the development of new
transportation systems, the design of rockets, or the improvement of
communications systems. Systems engineers first gather all the necessary
information about what is needed in a system. They select several possible ways
of designing the system. Then they use a problem-solving method called systems
analysis to break down the possible solutions into smaller parts.

Systems engineers use systems analysis to make a diagram of all the

parts of a system. They use computers and such mathematical methods as
algebra, probability theory, and statistics to convert their diagrams into
mathematical equations. They develop theoretical models that will help them
choose the best way to design a system. They can use a computer to test these
models. For example, systems engineers may want to know whether a mass-
transit system will meet future needs. They can feed information on population
growth and other data into a computer. The computer will process the data and
provide the engineers with information about the usefulness of the system.

Systems engineers can also test a possible system by using small-scale models or
actual-size models of parts of a system. Once a system has been designed, further
testing is done. Systems engineers generally stay with a system and coordinate all
parts of it until it is working smoothly. They coordinate the work of many
specialists during the development of a system. Sometimes systems engineers are
called on to make improvements in existing systems.

Systems engineers work for government agencies, computer companies, and

many industries that need to solve large and complex engineering problems.
Large research projects sponsored by government, industry, or universities also
employ teams of scientists and engineers, including systems engineers.
Sometimes these researchers develop new theories that can be used as the basis
for systems and analysis. Workers who use systems analysis to solve business
problems rather than engineering problems are usually called systems analysts.
These workers are often experts in business rather than in engineering.

Education and Training Requirements

Most systems engineers are former mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineers
who advance into systems engineering. You generally need a bachelor's or a
master's degree to become a systems engineer. You can expect to spend from four
to six years getting this formal training. Some colleges and universities offer
courses in systems engineering, but it is a relatively new field. Educational
requirements still vary widely from job to job. A broad background is important
in this field, since systems engineers must take into account many factors, such as
the possible legal, social, and psychological effects of a system. Systems engineers
must also have a good understanding of computer programming and engineering
fields other than their own. They also need to understand modern management
techniques. Many engineers receive additional formal training in a second field.
Others are able to broaden their knowledge through years of job experience.
Some employers will help engineers who are interested in systems engineering to
get the kind of broad experience that this field requires.

Engineers who offer their services to the public or whose work affects life, health,
or property need to be licensed by the state in which they work. They generally
need a degree from an approved engineering college, about four years of work
experience as an engineer, and a passing grade on a state examination before
being licensed as professional engineers.
Getting the Job
To become a systems engineer, you should plan your engineering career so that
you have the opportunity to learn about many fields of engineering. Your college
placement office can help you find a job. You can read trade or professional
journals to learn about openings for systems engineers. Newspaper classifieds
and job banks on the Internet are also good sources of job information. You
should have work experience in one or more fields of engineering when you apply
for a job as a systems engineer.

Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook

Systems engineers have already advanced from a specific job in another field of
engineering into a systems engineering career. However, as they gain more
experience in putting systems together and working with people, they can
advance to more difficult and challenging problems.

The job outlook for systems engineers is very good. Systems engineers are likely
to be needed for many projects—from designing more practical sewage systems to
coordinating space flights.

Working Conditions
Systems engineers work in many settings—from a computer company's urban
offices to a testing center for jet airplanes. The basic workweek is usually forty
hours long. Systems engineers generally spend additional hours, however,
working to meet deadlines or studying new methods and equipment.

Systems engineers often work in small teams. Although they do much of their
work independently, they must talk to a wide variety of other specialists when
planning a system. They should be able to get along with these people and to
communicate their ideas clearly. They sometimes have to present their plans in
the form of oral or written reports. Like all engineers, they should be good at
science and mathematics and at problem solving.

Where to Go for More Information

American Society for Engineering Education

1818 N St. NW, Ste. 600
Washington, DC 20036-2479
(202) 331-3500
http://www.asee.org
International Council on Systems Engineering
(800) 366-1164
http://www.incose.org

Earnings and Benefits

Salaries vary widely depending on the education and experience of the systems
engineer and the location and nature of the job. In 2000 new graduates with
master's degrees in systems engineering earned an average starting salary of
$56,750. A survey by the Washington Post showed that in 1999, the average
salary for systems engineers was $69,070. A Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) salary survey revealed that in 2004 the average annual
earnings of a systems engineer was $74,140. Systems engineers usually receive
benefits that include paid holidays and vacations, health insurance, and pension
plans.

Read more: http://careers.stateuniversity.com/pages/419/Systems-

Engineer.html#ixzz0SOGkKYU5