Engineer (Instrumentation & Controls)

Engineer (Instrumentation & Controls)

Salary

$148,928.00 - $181,043.20 Annually

Location

Headquarters - 18480 Bandilier Cir, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, CA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

343

Department

Engineering

Division

Design

Opening Date

09/01/2026

Closing Date

9/16/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

What do you value in your next job?

At the Orange County Sanitation District our Core Values form the framework of our organization and reinforce our professional work ethic. If the following values ring true with you, wed love to invite you to explore our career opportunities further.

Integrity, Inclusion, Honesty, and Respect

We aspire to the highest degree of integrity, inclusion, honesty, and respect in our interaction with each other, our suppliers, our customers, and our community. We strive to demonstrate these values in our actions, commitments, and service.

Leadership, Teamwork, and Problem Solving

We lead by example, acknowledging the value of our resources and using them wisely to achieve our mission. We strive to reach OC San goals through cooperative efforts and collaboration with each other and our constituencies. We work to solve problems in a creative, cost-effective, and safe manner, and we acknowledge team and individual efforts.

Customer Service, Transparency, and Accountability

We are committed to acting in a timely, accurate, accessible, and transparent manner through excellent customer service. We are committed to act in the best interest of our internal and external stakeholders.

Resiliency, Innovation, and Learning

We continuously develop ourselves, enhancing our talents, skills, and abilities. We recognize that only through personal growth and development will we progress as an agency and as individuals.

Safety

We are committed to providing a safe work environment. We will demonstrate leadership, promote individual accountability, and participate actively in the advancement of our health and safety practices.

OC San is currently looking to fill the role of an Engineer (Instrumentation & Controls).

Under direction, performs a variety of complex and responsible engineering duties in the planning, design, construction, operations, and compliance of wastewater facilities, infrastructure, systems, and programs; oversees development of engineering designs and provides project management of assigned programs and projects; inspects and analyzes plant operations and implements process improvements; enforces industrial wastewater discharge regulations and reviews, processes, and approves assigned permits; serves as a technical resource and advisor on assigned projects, programs, and systems; researches complex engineering issues and conducts engineering-related studies; and performs duties as assigned.

Specifically, this Engineer position is assigned to electrical, instrumentation and controls workgroup in the Engineering Design Division for OC San's wastewater treatment plants and facilities. The Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Engineer performs complex engineering duties involving wastewater treatment and collection systems that may include: Providing technical leadership and expertise in design, commissioning and construction projects; being responsible for complex assignments, projects, technical analyses, and programs requiring the full spectrum of knowledge, concepts, practices, procedures, and policies of engineering; developing scopes of work and requests for proposals, reviewing proposals, and selecting consulting engineers; leading and participating in the technical review of consultants' designs for compliance with the scope of work, Engineering Standards, codes, industry standards, design quality expectations, and stakeholder needs; evaluating the design of complex engineering drawings, systems, and processes and overseeing the design of engineering plans; preparing piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), detailed drawings, network diagrams, control panel drawings, technical specifications, and control strategies developed by design consultants.

Additionally, the Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Engineer will review construction submittals, commissioning procedures and startup plans developed by contractors; Reviews and develops DCS's and PLC's input/output lists, control strategies and technical specifications for design projects by working closely with OC San's control systems programming group; coordinating designs with operations and maintenance; attending and participating in design workshops; assist consultants with developing work sequencing and restrictions; coordinate with shutdown coordination group; developing recommendations to project problems and issues; reviewing construction submittals for compliance with technical specifications; ensuring projects are constructed in compliance with contract documents; developing recommendations to project problems and issues during construction; reviewing calibration and test reports and verifying that the equipment is acceptable; providing technical training; and ensuring that established OC San standards, policies and procedures, and engineering best practices are consistently applied.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required:

• Bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, with major coursework in civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical, or environmental engineering, or a related field, dependent upon area of assignment.
• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional engineering work experience.
• Possession of a valid registration as a professional engineer (P.E.) in the State of California.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License.

Desired:

• P.E. emphasis in electrical engineering or control systems engineering.
• Experience working in water/wastewater design.
• Experience in the design of instrumentation systems, SCADA control and automation, network communication systems.
• Experience in developing scopes of work.
• Experience in design drawings (P&IDs, control panels, and control schematics), technical specifications, and control strategies.
• Experience in troubleshooting wastewater instrumentation systems, commissioning and startup of wastewater treatment or industrial systems, and interpreting bid plan and specification documents is highly desired.
• Experience with HMI software, ABB DCS, Modicon PLC hardware and programming, and motor control design.

Recruitment & Selection Process

Vacancies: 1

(an eligible list may be established for future vacancies)

Apply online at: www.ocsan.gov/careers

APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 by 5:00 P.M.

(or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received)

Hiring Salary Range: $ $148,928.00 - $164,174.40/Year

(starting salary will be within this range based upon qualifications)

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various OC San sites, projects, and/or meetings; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 35 pounds.
• Mobility to work in changing site conditions; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders.
• Perform light physical work; lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 51 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.
• Frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards.
• Climb ladders, install cabling, work around and in low voltage field control panels and hardware; use electrical and networking test equipment; use tools to remove, install and test equipment including servers, network equipment, power supplies, fiber optics and cabling.

Environmental Elements

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Field work with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Disaster Service Workers

All OC San employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the OC San requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Other Requirements

• Probationary Period: All OC San employees, except classifications considered "at-will", are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, policies, and/or resolutions. Employees who have not yet successfully completed their initial probationary period serve "at-will" and may be released from employment without cause or recourse to any appeal or grievance procedures.
• Pre-Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of OC San's preemployment process, which includes a background investigation, a physical examination, and a drug screen.
• Work Location Assignment: Employees will be assigned to a work location based on business needs which may be located at any/all of OC San locations; this work location may be changed at any time.

Other Information

For the full range of duties, responsibilities, and essential job functions please review the Classification Specification for this position found on our website.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate, through their application materials, that they meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the job announcement and class specification to receive further consideration. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process.

False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

To ensure your application is accurate and complete, please review the Job Application Guide.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of OC San's pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation and a physical examination. For some positions, this may include a drug screen. False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

Reference Checks will be conducted by OC San to verify employment related information for all potential employees once a contingent job offer is made during the background investigation process. This is done to ensure that individuals who join OC San are well qualified and have a strong potential to be successful in their employment. The extent of the inquiry will depend on the position being applied for, but will at least include:

• Verification/Reference from current and past employers
• Confirmation of necessary licenses, certificates, and degrees.

Please have all necessary documentation ready. Additional inquiries may be necessary depending on the position for which you are applying. Human Resources will also schedule a post-offer physical examination once a job offer has been made.

OC San only accepts applications submitted via our online application system. Applications submitted via mail, fax or email will not be accepted.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Ten working days paid vacation after one year of service; eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday; sick leave; group life insurance; group disability insurance; group health insurance, dependent coverage available, including medical, dental, and vision, employee contribution is required; a retirement plan (Orange County Employees Retirement System) and the option of participating in a deferred compensation plan as well as other optional benefits. A credit union is available. Benefits are subject to the Board of Directors periodic determination (usually annually) and the meet and confer process, and are therefore subject to change. The District makes a generous contribution toward the cost of these benefits.

01

PLEASE READ. The information provided on the Supplemental Questions will be used in conjunction with your job application to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application being rejected. Do not submit a resume in place of completing these Supplemental Questions. Education obtained outside the United States must be comparable to education earned at an accredited school in the United States. We reserve the right to request further information about your academic program, evidence of comparability, or an original transcript. Any information you submit may be verified. When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected. I also understand that I may not submit a resume in lieu of filling out the job application or answering the Supplemental Questions. However, I may attach a resume to the application to provide additional information.

• Yes, I understand.

02

Do you have a bachelors degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, with major coursework in civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical, or environmental engineering, or a related field? Please ensure to list the details of your education in the "Education" section of your application.

• Yes
• No

03

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list your major as listed on your diploma. If you answered "No", input N/A.

04

How many years of increasingly responsible professional engineering work experience do you possess?

• No Experience
• Less than 1 year
• At least 1 year but less than 2 years
• At least 2 years but less than 4
• 4 years or more

05

Do you possess a valid registration as a professional engineer (P.E.) in the State of California?

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list your California PE License Number. If you answered "No", input N/A.

07

Briefly describe your engineering experience in developing/designing/reviewing the following: process & instrumentation diagrams, loop drawings, panel drawings, motor control schematics, valve control, and schematics. In your response, please include your years of experience. If no experience, type "N/A".

08

Briefly describe your engineering experience in preparing the following: scopes of work, technical specifications, control strategies, and engineering reports. In your response, please include your years of experience. If no experience, type "N/A".

09

Briefly describe your engineering experience in troubleshooting, training and providing construction support, including changes and requests for information, of instrumentation and control systems. In your response, please include your years of experience. If no experience, type "N/A".

10

Briefly describe your engineering experience technically leading projects through design, construction, working with project stakeholders and the engineering team. In your response, please include your years of experience. If no experience, type "N/A".

11

Do you possess, or have the ability to obtain, a valid California Class C Drivers License by time of appointment?

• Yes
• No

12

All OC San employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the OC San requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency. Click on the radio button below to acknowledge you understand these requirements.

• Yes, I understand.

Required Question

Employer Orange County Sanitation District