Control and instrumentation engineer
Being a control and instrumentation engineer is an important role which can be based in a variety of areas including manufacturing, energy, pharmaceutical and chemical engineering
As a control and instrumentation (C&I) engineer, you'll be responsible for designing, developing, installing, managing and maintaining equipment which is used to monitor and control engineering systems, machinery and processes. You'll need to make sure that it all operates effectively, efficiently and safely.
You could work for companies who manufacture and supply the equipment or for the companies who use it, such as nuclear and renewable energy companies and environmental agencies.
You will need a thorough understanding of the operational processes of an organisation as your role is multidisciplinary, working closely with colleagues across several functions, including operations, purchasing and design.
Responsibilities
You'll need to develop skills in specific control disciplines, such as:
- advanced process control (APC)
- distributed control systems (DCS)
- programmable logic controllers (PLC)
- supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA).
The exact use of these disciplines will depend on your job. In general however, you’ll need to:
- design and develop new control systems
- test, maintain and modify existing systems
- analyse data and present findings in written reports
- manage operations
- work collaboratively with design engineers, operation engineers, purchasers and other internal staff
- liaise with clients, suppliers, contractors and relevant authorities (e.g. the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority)
- carry out project management within cost and time constrained environments
- understand and ensure compliance with relevant health and safety regulations and quality standards
- provide advice and consultancy support
- purchase equipment
- write computer software and test procedures
- develop new business proposals.
Salary
- Starting salaries for graduates entering control and instrumentation engineering range from £25,000 to £30,000.
- With several years' experience, salaries of £35,000 to £50,000 can be achieved.
- At a senior level and with chartered status salaries can reach up to £75,000. Directors, particularly in the nuclear or oil and gas sectors, have the potential to earn more than this.
Salary levels vary according to the size of the organisation, industry sector and geographical location. Additional benefits may be offered such as a pension scheme, health insurance and company car.
Income figures are intended as a guide only.
Working hours
A typical working week consists of 37 to 40 hours. In some roles, you may be required to work on an on-call or standby basis in order to deal with faults which occur at the plant or site. Additional overtime payments, or an on-call allowance, may be incorporated into the annual salary.
Part-time work may be possible. With considerable experience, it may be possible to become self-employed, although this is most likely to be in consultancy or contract work.
What to expect
- Your work may be based in an office, laboratory or factory, depending on the nature of the organisation.
- Visiting clients and working on-site is a common aspect of the work.
- Some positions may carry high levels of responsibility and may be stressful, particularly at a very senior level, where accountability lies directly with the C&I engineer. You'll often have to work under pressure, to tight deadlines and within budget.
- Control and instrumentation engineering faces underrepresentation of female and ethnic minority graduates. Organisations such as Women's Engineering Society (WES) and WISE offer support and professional development to women in this sector. EngineeringUK covers diversity issues including social mobility.
- Power generation and renewable energy research are growing sectors, which means there are good opportunities for C&I engineers.
- Positions are available across the UK and opportunities to work overseas are widely available, particularly within the oil and gas industry or with global pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies.
- Some locations may be remote or hostile, particularly within the oil and gas sector, but greatly increased salaries and a range of benefits are often used to attract employees and contractors to these areas.
Qualifications
You'll typically need a relevant degree to become a control and instrumentation (C&I) engineer. Specific qualifications in control and instrumentation engineering are available and are typically four years in length, leading to an MEng degree.
Electrical and electronic engineering degrees are also popular with C&I engineers and may include specific C&I elements or modules.
There are other engineering, technical and scientific degrees that are considered appropriate, these include:
- applied physics or physics
- chemical engineering
- computer engineering
- mechanical engineering
- systems engineering.
It's useful if your degree is accredited by one of the professional engineering institutions, such as the:
This can help you to achieve the status of incorporated (IEng) or chartered engineer (CEng) at a later date. Details of accredited courses are available at Engineering Council - Accredited Course Search.
If your undergraduate degree did not include control engineering content, some employers may ask for a relevant postgraduate qualification such as an MSc in Control Systems or Advanced Control and Systems Engineering.
An alternative route in is via a degree-level apprenticeship. This allows you to gain practical experience through work while also completing your study towards a degree. Find out more about the control systems engineer level 6 degree apprenticeship.
C&I engineering is open to you if you have an HND but you may need to consider entry at technician level only. A degree is often required for progression to professional engineer status and senior levels. It may be possible to complete further qualifications part time while working, with the support of your employer. The following HND subjects are particularly relevant:
- computer-aided engineering or computer engineering
- electrical engineering
- electronics.
Skills
You'll need to show:
- creative problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- excellent critical thinking skills and a high level of numeracy
- good communication and interpersonal skills
- strong teamworking skills, with an ability to motivate others and to lead or manage teams and projects
- flexibility and an ability to compromise
- a willingness to accept responsibility and make decisions
- a high level of attention to detail
- excellent customer care skills and good commercial awareness
- an understanding of, and ability to work with, high-level computer technology.
Work experience
Work experience is always valued by employers and can help your job prospects.
Many large employers offer structured internship programmes and vacation placement schemes. These provide an excellent insight into the nature of the work and are often hands-on. You should apply early, as places are limited and competition is strong. Research companies you’re interested in working for to see what opportunities they have.
Some degrees offer a year in industry, which really helps to demonstrate what the career will be like, as well as making some good contacts for future work. You're also usually able to count some of the experience gained during a sandwich placement towards qualifying for chartered engineer (CEng) status. Your course tutors or careers service should be able to help set this up.
Work shadowing a C&I engineer may also be useful, as it shows interest and commitment.
It's a good idea to become a student member of a relevant professional body such as the:
Membership provides you with access to trade publications, discounted training and events and opportunities to network.
Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.
Employers
As a control and instrumentation engineer your skills will be in demand in a range of engineering sectors, including:
- automotive
- construction
- rail
- telecommunications.
The most widely recognised recruiters of C&I engineers, however, are the following types of organisations:
- chemical engineering
- fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)
- manufacturing
- oil and gas, power generation and energy
- pharmaceutical
- utilities.
Other sectors include aerospace, marine, materials and defence engineering, and environmental agencies.
You can also be employed by companies who produce control and instrumentation equipment.
Look for job vacancies at:
Specialist recruitment consultancies such as Matchtech also handle vacancies. Individual companies often advertise job opportunities on their own websites.
Professional development
You'll need to have a good understanding of the main processes of the organisation employing you.
For this reason, initial training is usually in-house and involves an introduction to various operations and training on manufacturing processes, testing, quality standards, assembly and installation, all specific to the company. This training is usually conducted by senior engineers.
Many firms encourage working towards either incorporated (IEng) or chartered (CEng) engineer status. These are internationally recognised engineering qualifications, which are awarded by the Engineering Council. Achieving IEng or CEng status provides higher earning potential and improved career prospects.
You'll need to be a member of a professional body in order to apply and relevant organisations include:
You’ll need to meet a certain set of criteria and the process may be more straightforward if you have certain accredited qualifications. For more information see Engineering Council - Professional Registration.
You’ll typically be required to carry out continuing professional development (CPD) throughout your career and being a member of a professional body can help with this. The InstMC and IET provide training in the form of workshops, lectures and events. Academic study, volunteering and self-study (e.g. reading industry press) can also all count towards CPD.
Membership also offers you additional benefits such as access to conferences, networks and news bulletins.
Many companies offer sponsorship for postgraduate study, part-time PhDs, technical qualifications, MBAs and other qualifications. Search postgraduate courses in control and instrumentation engineering.
Career prospects
As a C&I engineer you will progress through your career typically acquiring specialist knowledge of a particular industry sector and/or area of C&I knowledge.
Working towards professional registration, such as incorporated engineer (IEng) or chartered engineer (CEng) can aid career progression, depending on your level of qualification.
In more senior roles you may lead a team or manage test programmes. Senior positions carry the highest level of responsibility and typically include planning and management activities, as well as leading new developments. Senior engineers in production and operation functions can often be representatives at board level.
Given the multidisciplinary nature of the role, working closely with colleagues across all functions and acquiring skills in a range of areas, you may choose to move sideways into other career areas either within or outside the industry. This could include areas such as:
- finance
- general management
- HR
- IT
- marketing
- purchasing
- sales.
It may be possible to draw upon your experience to pursue consultancy-based work, or to engage in academic research in universities or undertake work as a lecturer or trainer.