Senior Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Engineer

Location: Downers Grove, IL
Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire
Industry: Oil & Gas / Petrochemical / Power Generation

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Engineer for a contract-to-hire opportunity with our client in Downers Grove, IL. This position will provide technical leadership in the design, development, and execution of instrumentation and control systems for complex industrial projects, including refineries, petrochemical facilities, gas processing plants, and power generation facilities.

The Senior I&C Engineer will serve as a technical subject matter expert, overseeing engineering deliverables, supporting multidisciplinary project teams, and ensuring the safe, reliable, and cost-effective execution of projects. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in instrumentation and controls engineering within an EPC or EPCM environment.

Key Responsibilities

Instrumentation & Controls Engineering

• Lead the design, development, and specification of instrumentation and control systems, including Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), and SCADA systems.

• Provide technical oversight of I&C engineering deliverables to ensure compliance with project requirements, applicable codes, and industry standards.

• Develop and review instrument datasheets, control narratives, loop diagrams, cause-and-effect matrices, P&IDs, and control system specifications.

• Perform instrument selection and specification for pressure, flow, level, temperature, and analytical measurement applications.

• Support control valve sizing, selection, and performance evaluations.

• Provide technical guidance for complex process control strategies and safety instrumented systems.

Project Execution & Coordination

• Support engineering activities throughout all project phases, including FEED, detailed design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup.

• Coordinate with process, mechanical, electrical, and other engineering disciplines to ensure proper integration of instrumentation and control systems.

• Participate in technical design reviews, HAZOP studies, SIL assessments, and LOPA evaluations.

• Interface with clients, equipment vendors, contractors, and internal project teams to resolve technical issues.

• Review vendor documentation, equipment specifications, and technical proposals.

• Provide engineering support during construction, system testing, commissioning, and startup.

• Mentor junior engineers and designers while providing technical direction and quality oversight.

Standards, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure instrumentation and control system designs comply with applicable ISA, IEC, API, NFPA, and OSHA standards and regulations.

• Apply IEC 61511 and IEC 61508 requirements for safety instrumented systems.

• Support industrial control system cybersecurity requirements and best practices.

• Identify opportunities to improve system reliability, operational efficiency, and process safety.

• Maintain awareness of emerging automation technologies and industry best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• Minimum of 13 years of instrumentation and controls engineering experience within the oil and gas, petrochemical, refinery, or power generation industries.

• Extensive experience designing instrumentation and control systems for complex industrial facilities.

• Strong knowledge of DCS, PLC, SIS, and SCADA systems.

• Experience with major control system platforms such as Emerson DeltaV, Yokogawa, Siemens, or Rockwell Automation.

• Demonstrated experience with safety instrumented systems, SIL determination, and functional safety requirements.

• Experience developing and reviewing instrument specifications, control narratives, loop diagrams, P&IDs, and cause-and-effect documentation.

• Strong understanding of process instrumentation, control valve sizing, and industrial communication protocols.

• Proven experience supporting large-scale EPC or EPCM projects.

• Ability to lead technical engineering activities and coordinate with multidisciplinary project teams.

• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.

• Experience supporting refinery, petrochemical, gas processing, pipeline, or power generation projects.

• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols, including Modbus, Profibus, Ethernet/IP, and OPC.

• Experience with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Advanced Process Control (APC), and industrial automation technologies.

• Experience leading engineering design reviews and mentoring junior engineering personnel.

• Strong understanding of industrial control system cybersecurity and digital transformation initiatives.