Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Project

Sulzer•Colton, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Project Engineer is responsible for the design and execution of packaged control and power solutions from order kickoff through FAT and turnover. Typical scope includes control system design, MCCs, MV/LV VFDs, RVSSs, PLSs, RTUs, and field instrumentation. This role owns technical coordination, submittals, documentation, schedule/budget tracking for the I&C portion, and factory acceptance testing readiness and execution. The I&C Project Engineer is not responsible for installation, however, is responsible for customer engagement, witnessing FAT testing on location, etc. Travel Requirements & Working Conditions Travel: Up to 25–40% based on project needs (regional and occasional out-of-state). Typical travel purposes: Customer/site walks, design coordination meetings, pre-FAT reviews, customer witness FAT, inspections, interface meetings with the GC/EC/customer, troubleshooting, and post-shipment technical support meetings (non-installation). Duration: Most trips 1–3 days; occasional trips up to 1 week for major FATs or multi-package projects. Schedule flexibility: Ability to travel on short notice at times to support critical project milestones (e.g., customer witness FAT windows). Physical demands: Ability to work in shop and industrial environments around large equipment; may require standing/walking for extended periods, and climbing ladders/stairs. Site conditions: Exposure to industrial hazards (noise, dust, weather, moving equipment) while adhering to required PPE and site safety rules.

Requirements

2+ years supporting control system design and delivery for I&C, MCC/VFD/RVSS packages, RTUs/PLCs, or industrial electrical/control systems.
Ability to interpret P&IDs, one-lines, wiring diagrams, and control schematics.
Familiarity with RTU/PLC interfaces and basic communications troubleshooting.
Strong documentation discipline and customer-facing communication skills.

Responsibilities

Control System Design (Primary Technical Ownership): Develop the overall control system approach based on project requirements, including control architecture, communications and integration philosophy, and power and control interface requirements. Produce and/or review design deliverables such as I/O lists, instrument lists, control narratives/cause & effect, loop diagrams, termination drawings, panel drawings, and network diagrams. Ensure designs are buildable, testable (FAT-ready), and aligned with customer standards and project constraints. Coordinate design reviews and address comments to closure prior to shop release.
Project Execution & Coordination (Delivery Ownership): Own the I&C/controls portion of project execution, including deliverables, schedule, budget awareness, and quality. Review contract documents and customer standards; translate requirements into a deliverables list and execution plan. Coordinate across internal engineering, integration teams, procurement, QA, and project stakeholders. Manage submittal flow: compile, review, and submit vendor data; track comments; close out resubmittals. Provide clear status updates; maintain action-item logs, decision records, and interface registers. Manage change control for the I&C scope: document scope clarifications, deviations, and impacts.
Technical Deliverables & Compliance: Verify compliance with applicable codes/standards and customer requirements, including NEC/NFPA 70, and UL 508A practices where applicable. Evaluate vendor compliance for supplied equipment and instrumentation; document exceptions and obtain approvals as required. Ensure labeling, documentation quality, and traceability meet project expectations.
Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) Leadership (Primary): Plan and lead FAT for supplied packages (MCC, VFD, RVSS, RTU, and integration with instrumentation as applicable). Define FAT scope, acceptance criteria, and “ready for test” gates. Coordinate test equipment, test configurations, simulated signals, and comms checks. Ensure safety controls are in place during testing. Facilitate customer witness testing; manage punch lists and retest requirements. Produce complete FAT documentation.
Quality Assurance & Turnover: Maintain readiness gates: design review > shop release > QA inspection > FAT readiness > FAT closeout > shipment/turnover. Drive punch list closure and documentation completeness prior to shipment. Support turnover package delivery: as-builts, O&M manuals, certificates, settings/parameter records, and training materials.
Interfaces & Exclusions (Clear Boundaries): No installation: The I&C Project Engineer does not supervise or perform field installation. No switchboard startup/energization: The I&C Project Engineer does not perform SWBD startup, energization, or utility/meter connections. Provide interface documentation needed by others, but do not execute energization work.
Risk Management Expectations (Required): Maintain a living Risk Register for assigned projects. Identify and mitigate risks specific to control system design and packaged equipment. Quantify impacts and implement mitigations. Escalate early when risks threaten milestones or compliance. Enforce strict change control: no scope creep without documented authorization.
Safety Practices (Applicable to Shop/Test Environment): Enforce Stop Work Authority and pre-task briefings for FAT activities. Ensure testing is performed under controlled conditions. Verify safe tool use, housekeeping, cable management, and lifting/handling practices for large equipment. Coordinate customer witness safety expectations during FAT.