Instrument and Controls Designer

Audubon Companies•Houston, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Instrument & Controls Designer is responsible for leading the design, development, and coordination of instrumentation and control system deliverables for industrial facilities including oil & gas, LNG, petrochemical, refining, and chemical processing projects. This position applies advanced technical knowledge and extensive design experience to independently execute complex assignments, support multidisciplinary coordination, and ensure compliance with project specifications, industry standards, and client requirements. The Senior Instrument & Controls Designer provides technical guidance to junior designers, supports project execution activities, and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives throughout all phases of engineering, procurement, fabrication, and construction.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required
Minimum 10+ years of instrumentation and controls design experience in: Oil & gas, LNG, Petrochemical, Refining, Chemical processing, Midstream facilities
Advanced proficiency with: AutoCAD, SPI / SmartPlant Instrumentation (Intools), 3D modeling platforms such as: PDMS, E3D, AutoCAD Plant 3D
Strong working knowledge of: Instrumentation design standards, ISA standards, NEC requirements, PIP standards, Client specifications
Experience with: PLC systems, DCS systems, SIS/ESD systems, Industrial networking and communications layouts
Extensive field experience and ability to perform site walkdowns independently
Experience leading small to medium-sized projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams
Ability to independently solve complex design and constructability issues
Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills
Ability to read and understand: Engineering drawings, P&IDs, Wiring diagrams, Loop diagrams, Instrument specifications
Ability to mentor junior designers and support team development

Nice To Haves

Associate’s Degree from a Technical Institution preferred
Experience with LNG facilities strongly preferred
Experience supporting global engineering execution teams preferred
Familiarity with laser scan integration and intelligent 3D modeling environments preferred
Experience with document management systems and project workflows preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the development and preparation of detailed instrumentation and control system drawings, layouts, wiring diagrams, loop diagrams, installation details, and assembly drawings from engineering designs, markups, and specifications
Develop and maintain: Instrument location plans, Cable tray layouts, Conduit routing drawings, Junction box layouts, Wiring interconnection diagrams, Loop drawings, Hook-up drawings, Marshalling cabinet layouts, Control panel layouts
Interpret verbal and written engineering direction to initiate and complete preliminary and final instrument/control system designs
Perform instrument and electrical design calculations including: Cable sizing, Conduit sizing, Voltage drop calculations, Cable tray fill calculations
Support development and implementation of: PLC systems, DCS systems, SIS/ESD systems, Control logic schematics, Relay logic and interlock diagrams
Review and optimize application and functionality of instrumentation and control systems
Check and verify accuracy and completeness of drawings and deliverables prepared by others
Prepare and maintain: Bills of materials (BOMs), Instrument indexes, I/O lists, Cable schedules, Procurement packages, Material take-offs
Revise drawings, models, and documentation consistent with engineering changes and company change management procedures
Implement revisions and change control processes in accordance with company standards and project requirements
Assemble information and reference documentation from multiple disciplines and sources
Identify opportunities for design improvements, constructability enhancements, and cost reductions
Determine optimal drawing/model views and layouts to effectively communicate installation and construction requirements
Review field redlines and generate accurate as-built documentation
Support preparation and review of Operation & Maintenance (O&M) manuals and turnover packages
Utilize 2D and 3D CAD software to create and maintain instrumentation and controls design deliverables
Create technical documentation supporting procurement, fabrication, installation, and construction activities
Support Engineering Change Order (ECO) development and implementation
Analyze impacts of proposed design changes and identify potential interferences or constructability issues
Coordinate with: Process engineers, Electrical engineers, Mechanical engineers, Piping designers, Automation specialists, Vendors and contractors
Produce deliverables in accordance with company standards while maintaining project schedule and budget requirements
Maintain proper electronic file management and document control practices
Interact and communicate effectively with clients, subcontractors, vendors, and project teams
Track and maintain awareness of project schedules, manpower requirements, and budget impacts
Comply with all company and client HSSE standards and applicable regulations
Participate in hazard identification, safety observations, and incident reporting programs
Position requires candidate to work from clients office 5 days a week