Job Title: Water Treatment Instrumentation Project Engineer
Job Summary:
The Senior Water Treatment Instrumentation Engineer is responsible for the design, optimization, installation, calibration, and maintenance of advanced instrumentation systems in water treatment plants. This role involves overseeing the performance of critical instrumentation used to monitor and control water quality parameters, ensuring systems operate efficiently, meet regulatory standards, and contribute to optimized water treatment processes. The Senior Engineer will lead technical teams, mentor junior engineers, handle complex troubleshooting, drive system improvements, and ensure integration of new technologies into water treatment systems. This position requires a high level of technical expertise, leadership skills, and a deep understanding of water treatment processes.
Key Responsibilities:
Instrumentation System Design and Optimization:
- Lead the design, specification, and optimization of advanced instrumentation systems for water treatment processes, including sensors, pH meters, chlorine analyzers, turbidity sensors, and flow meters.
- Ensure that instrumentation systems are optimized for accurate monitoring of water quality parameters and are fully integrated into SCADA and PLC control systems.
- Oversee the integration of new technologies and automation tools to enhance system performance, reduce operational costs, and improve reliability.
Project Leadership and Management:
- Manage and oversee projects related to the installation, upgrading, and integration of instrumentation systems in water treatment plants.
- Develop detailed project plans, including resource allocation, timelines, and budgets, and ensure successful completion of projects according to specifications and deadlines.
- Lead commissioning and system integration efforts, ensuring that all instrumentation systems are fully operational and meet performance standards before being brought online.
Troubleshooting and Advanced System Optimization:
- Provide leadership in troubleshooting complex instrumentation and control system issues, working with engineers, operators, and technicians to resolve technical problems promptly.
- Implement strategies for optimizing system performance, addressing issues such as calibration accuracy, sensor drift, and communication errors.
- Take a proactive approach to diagnosing potential issues, ensuring that instrumentation systems are running optimally and preventing downtime.
Regulatory Compliance and Reporting:
- Ensure all instrumentation systems comply with local, state, and federal regulations concerning water quality and environmental safety.
- Oversee the preparation and submission of reports for regulatory bodies, documenting system performance, calibration, maintenance activities, and compliance.
- Maintain accurate records of instrumentation systems and procedures to ensure compliance during audits and inspections.
Team Leadership and Mentorship:
- Lead and mentor a team of junior and mid-level engineers, providing technical support, coaching, and guidance on instrumentation maintenance, troubleshooting, and system optimization.
- Foster a collaborative work environment and promote continuous learning and development to ensure the team is equipped to meet operational and project goals.
- Conduct performance reviews, set goals, and provide feedback to team members to enhance their skills and drive high-performance outcomes.
- Technical & Managerial Duties:
- Plan, direct, and execute maintenance projects at the client’s pumping stations, reservoirs, well fields, and network locations.
- Perform managerial, technical, and administrative tasks related to project coordination, reporting, spare management, and execution.
- Supervise and manage corrective and preventive maintenance activities.
- Submit daily team planning and site activity reports to the client’s engineers for review and approval.
- Maintenance Leadership:
- Provide Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) maintenance leadership, ensuring overall project objectives are met.
- Ensure all maintenance work adheres to scheduled timelines and conduct quality inspections of jobs.
- Perform calibration, validation, and verification of instruments such as MOVs, FTs, PTs, WQAs, and LTs.
- Safety Management:
- Ensure maintenance teams comply with workplace safety regulations and are equipped with proper safety gear.
- Monitor and mitigate hazardous situations, implementing measures to ensure personnel safety.
- Prepare risk assessments and outline safe operational procedures considering all hazards.
- Conduct regular site inspections to ensure adherence to client safety standards and best practices.
- Organize and deliver toolbox talks, maintain safety inspection records, and produce improvement reports.
- Project Administration:
- Control maintenance tools, site stores, and equipment.
- Address emergencies, unplanned issues, and repairs promptly.
- Prepare reports on site activities, incidents, and overall project safety.
Key Focus Areas:
- System Optimization and Troubleshooting: Lead efforts to optimize and troubleshoot instrumentation systems, ensuring peak performance and minimal downtime.
- Leadership and Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior engineers, fostering skill development and high-performance standards within the team.
- Innovation and Technology Integration: Integrate new technologies into water treatment instrumentation systems to improve performance and operational efficiency.
- Project Management: Manage large-scale projects related to system installation, upgrades, and integrations, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all instrumentation systems meet regulatory standards and are properly documented for compliance purposes.
Skills and Knowledge Required:
- Advanced knowledge of instrumentation systems (e.g., pH meters, chlorine analyzers, turbidity sensors, flow meters, and pressure transmitters) and process control technologies.
- Proficiency in SCADA, PLC systems, and automation technologies for integrating instrumentation systems into water treatment operations.
- Strong understanding of water treatment processes, including filtration, disinfection, chemical dosing, and how instrumentation supports these processes.
- In-depth experience troubleshooting complex instrumentation issues and optimizing system performance.
- Knowledge of industry regulatory standards, including water quality regulations and environmental compliance.
- Strong project management skills, including resource allocation, budgeting, and managing cross-functional teams to achieve project goals.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills to work with a diverse range of stakeholders.
Educational Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation, Electrical, or Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Certifications in instrumentation, SCADA systems, PLC programming, or water treatment technologies are highly desirable.
Experience:
- 7+ years of Experience in Instrumentation & Controls, with proven managerial and technical expertise.Instrumentation, process control, or water treatment systems, with a focus on maintaining, optimizing, and troubleshooting instrumentation systems.
- Extensive experience with SCADA, PLCs, and water quality monitoring instrumentation in a water treatment or industrial setting.
- Experience in team management and coordination
- Proven experience leading projects related to instrumentation upgrades, system integration, or new installations in water treatment facilities.
Tools and Technologies:
- Expertise in SCADA platforms (e.g., Siemens WinCC, Wonderware, Ignition), PLC systems (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley), and industrial instrumentation.
- Familiarity with water quality monitoring instruments (e.g., pH meters, chlorine analyzers, turbidity sensors).
- Proficiency in data analysis and performance monitoring tools (e.g., Power BI, SQL, Excel).
Skills & Competencies:
- Proficiency in project management and maintenance planning.
- Hands-on expertise in calibration and validation of instrumentation equipment.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to handle emergency situations effectively.
- Knowledge of client safety standards and risk assessment protocols.