Instrumentation Engineer @ Actalent

Job Title: Instrumentation EngineerJob DescriptionThis role leads electrical reliability projects within a dynamic Maintenance and Reliability organization at a chemical manufacturing plant. The Instrumentation Engineer applies reliability engineering principles, statistical data analysis, and structured work processes to improve the performance, safety, and longevity of electrical and instrumentation systems. You will work in a fast-paced environment as part of a small, dedicated team, supporting both legacy and state-of-the-art equipment and overseeing a large population of instruments across the facility.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and continuously improve preventative and predictive maintenance programs for electrical equipment, controls, and instrumentation.
• Provide electrical oversight for activities generated by the Management of Change process, ensuring changes are safe, compliant, and aligned with plant standards.
• Support capital projects from design through startup by providing electrical and reliability input, reviewing designs, and assisting with commissioning.
• Identify and engage preferred equipment manufacturers, specialists, and consultants to support reliability and maintenance objectives.
• Inspect new and repaired electrical equipment and recommend appropriate spare parts strategies to support long-term reliability.
• Provide technical assistance and troubleshooting support to hourly E&I technicians and contractors as needed.
• Guide the selection and implementation of new electrical equipment technologies, ensuring alignment with plant standards and updating drawings and documentation.
• Develop, document, and implement reliability and maintenance procedures for electrical and instrumentation equipment.
• Prepare and maintain reliability control plans for critical equipment, including preventive and predictive maintenance tasks, operator monitoring, critical repair activities, and spare parts bills of materials quality assurance.
• Analyze equipment failures, identify root causes, and recommend corrective and preventive actions to improve equipment performance and reduce downtime.
• Lead Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) teams and apply lean principles to drive effective problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Participate in reliability-focused Failure Modes and Effects Analyses (FMEA) to identify risks and develop mitigation plans for electrical systems.
• Develop and implement reliability control plans for electrical systems as part of ongoing asset risk management initiatives.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for electrical equipment performance issues as requested or required by operations and maintenance.
• Actively participate in plant safety programs and maintain a strong understanding of Process Safety Management, OSHA requirements, and other applicable safety standards.
• Incorporate safety considerations into all work activities and promote a strong safety culture within the maintenance and reliability team.
• Use reliability data collection and analysis tools to monitor performance, identify trends, and recommend improvements.
• Collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization to influence decisions, align priorities, and implement work process improvements.
• Manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards of quality and reliability.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma tools to enhance business processes and reliability outcomes.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience as a reliability engineer specializing in instrumentation and controls.
• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• Hands-on experience in electrical reliability, including low and medium voltage electrical distribution equipment, variable frequency drives (VFDs), motors, and motor control systems.
• Experience in maintenance electrical or maintenance engineering roles supporting industrial facilities.
• Strong knowledge of electrical design, equipment selection, repair techniques, and performance assessment for electrical and instrumentation systems.
• Knowledgeable in repair and troubleshooting techniques for electrical and instrumentation equipment.
• Experience using SAP work management systems, Meridium, or similar tools for reliability data collection and analysis.
• Familiarity with National Electric Code (NEC), NFPA 70E, and ISA standards.
• Familiarity and experience with Fault Current, Coordination, and Arc Flash Studies.
• Knowledge in the use and application of predictive technologies such as infrared inspections, testing history, and diagnostic software or systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively interact with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and influencing skills to drive reliability initiatives and improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to incorporate safety into the foundation of all work activities.
• Demonstrated ability to use influencing skills to accomplish goals and objectives across functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to generate and implement work process improvements in a maintenance or reliability context.
• Ability to analyze complex technical issues and develop robust, practical solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work in various weather conditions in an industrial environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in chemical or petrochemical plant maintenance and/or reliability engineering.
• Familiarity with safety procedures and requirements in a hazardous chemical environment.
• Familiarity with Lean and Six Sigma tools for business process improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels of an organization, including operations, maintenance, engineering, and leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to be highly motivated and self-directed, with the capability to work with limited daily supervision or instruction.
• Experience working with a large and diverse population of instruments and electrical assets, including both legacy and modern equipment.

Work EnvironmentThe role is based in an industrial chemical manufacturing plant environment, working within a maintenance and reliability team of approximately 10 engineers. You will help oversee and direct E&I technicians while supporting a wide variety of electrical and instrumentation systems, including more than 27,000 unique instruments. The environment offers exposure to both older equipment and new, top-of-the-line technologies, providing opportunities to work on a broad range of machines and systems.

Work is performed in an industrial setting where you may be exposed to various weather conditions while accessing equipment in the field. The culture emphasizes safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement, with a small, dedicated team that collaborates closely to solve complex reliability challenges and support safe, reliable plant operations. Interested in learning more? Schedule a call with Recruiter, Vicky Glass, using this link: https://talentassistant.actalentservices.com/assistant/bookings/qGY4OVBM

Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Hopewell, VA.

Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $95000.00 - $142600.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.401k match, PTO from 2-4 weeks

Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 26, 2026.

Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Hopewell,VA.About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.