Instrumentation Engineer (Managerial Position)

Responsibilities

A. Instrumentation and Process Control Management

Manage the overall instrumentation and process control activities of the plant.

Ensure the reliability and availability of:

• DCS systems
• PLC systems
• SCADA systems
• HMI systems
• Control valves
• Transmitters
• Pressure, temperature, level, and flow instruments
• Analytical instruments
• Process analyzers
• Motorized and pneumatic actuators
• Industrial communication networks
• Safety and interlock systems

Develop and implement instrumentation maintenance strategies to minimize equipment downtime and production losses.

Ensure proper operation and maintenance of critical control loops and plant automation systems.

Review and optimize control philosophies, sequences, interlocks, alarms, permissives, and process logic.

Ensure instrumentation systems are properly integrated with plant production and utility systems.

Provide technical support to Operations during abnormal process conditions, equipment trips, and control system failures.

B. Maintenance Planning and Reliability

Develop and implement preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs for instrumentation and automation equipment.

Establish maintenance schedules based on equipment criticality, manufacturer's recommendations, operating conditions, and historical failure data.

Monitor instrumentation equipment reliability, failure rates, and recurring problems.

Identify critical instrumentation and control system components and establish appropriate spare parts requirements.

Ensure timely troubleshooting and restoration of defective instruments and control systems.

Review maintenance work orders and ensure completion within established schedules.

Implement root cause analysis for recurring instrumentation and control system failures.

Recommend equipment upgrades, replacement, or modification to improve reliability and plant performance.

Maintain proper documentation and records of calibration, maintenance, repairs, modifications, and equipment history.

C. DCS, PLC and Automation

Manage and maintain plant DCS, PLC, SCADA, HMI, and related automation systems.

Review and approve changes to control logic, PLC programs, DCS configurations, and HMI graphics, subject to the plant's management-of-change procedures.

Ensure proper backup of PLC/DCS programs, configurations, databases, and system documentation.

Monitor system health, communication networks, controllers, I/O modules, servers, workstations, and associated hardware.

Coordinate with Operations and Process Engineering in optimizing automatic control strategies.

Develop and improve automation solutions to reduce manual intervention and improve plant efficiency.

Ensure proper alarm management, interlock functionality, permissives, and emergency shutdown logic.

Coordinate with OEMs, system integrators, and external contractors for specialized DCS/PLC support.

Ensure cybersecurity and access-control practices applicable to industrial control systems are implemented in coordination with the IT/OT team.

D. Calibration and Instrument Quality

Establish and maintain a comprehensive calibration program for critical and non-critical instrumentation.

Ensure instruments are calibrated according to approved procedures, manufacturer's specifications, and required standards.

Review calibration results and investigate instruments with abnormal deviations.

Ensure proper identification and traceability of calibrated instruments.

Maintain calibration certificates, records, and historical data.

Ensure proper calibration of:

• Flow meters
• Pressure transmitters
• Temperature transmitters and sensors
• Level instruments
• Control valves
• Analytical instruments
• Load cells
• pH and conductivity instruments
• Gas analyzers
• Other critical process measurement devices

Coordinate with Quality Assurance and Operations regarding instrumentation affecting product quality and process control.

E. Plant Process Support

Provide instrumentation and control engineering support to production departments.

Work closely with Operations in troubleshooting process instability caused by instrumentation or control issues.

Support process optimization initiatives involving:

• Cane milling
• Juice/raw syrup processing
• Evaporation
• Fermentation
• Distillation
• Dehydration
• Spent wash evaporation
• Boiler and power generation
• Cooling and utility systems
• Water and wastewater treatment
• Liquid CO₂ production

Review process trends, control loop performance, alarms, and instrument readings to identify opportunities for improvement.

Participate in plant shutdowns, start-ups, commissioning, and major maintenance activities.

Provide technical recommendations to improve process stability, energy efficiency, production capacity, and equipment reliability.

F. Engineering Projects and CAPEX

Lead or participate in instrumentation and automation projects, modifications, and plant improvement programs.

Prepare technical specifications, instrument datasheets, scope of work, and technical requirements.

Review instrumentation-related engineering drawings, including:

• P&IDs
• Instrumentation loop diagrams
• Control narratives
• Cause-and-effect diagrams
• Logic diagrams
• Instrument index
• Cable schedules
• Termination diagrams
• Control panel drawings

Review technical proposals and evaluate instrumentation equipment and systems.

Provide technical recommendations for procurement of instrumentation and automation equipment.

Supervise contractors and vendors during installation, testing, commissioning, and integration.

Ensure proper FAT, SAT, loop checking, calibration, functional testing, and commissioning activities.

Ensure project documentation and as-built drawings are complete and accurate.

Ensure instrumentation projects are completed within approved cost, schedule, quality, and safety requirements.

G. Safety, Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

Ensure instrumentation activities comply with company Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) policies and procedures.

Ensure compliance with applicable Philippine laws, regulations, standards, and regulatory requirements.

Participate in risk assessments, JSA/JHA, HAZOP, and other safety studies as required.

Ensure proper implementation and testing of critical alarms, trips, interlocks, and safety instrumented functions.

Ensure safe work practices during instrumentation installation, maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting.

Ensure proper implementation of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Permit to Work, electrical safety, confined space, and other applicable safety procedures.

Participate in incident investigations involving instrumentation, automation, or control system failures.

Ensure instrumentation systems supporting environmental compliance are maintained and reliable.

H. Team Leadership and People Management

Lead, supervise, coach, and develop the Instrumentation team.

Assign work activities based on manpower, priority, equipment criticality, and plant requirements.

Establish performance objectives and KPIs for instrumentation personnel.

Conduct performance evaluations and provide regular feedback to team members.

Identify training and competency development requirements.

Conduct technical training and knowledge-sharing sessions for instrumentation personnel.

Ensure proper manpower deployment during normal operations, shutdowns, emergencies, and major maintenance activities.

Promote teamwork, discipline, accountability, and continuous improvement within the department.

Ensure compliance of team members with company policies, procedures, and safety requirements.

I. Budget and Resource Management

Prepare the annual instrumentation maintenance and operating budget.

Monitor department expenditures against approved budgets.

Recommend procurement of critical spare parts, tools, instruments, and equipment.

Establish appropriate inventory levels for critical instrumentation spare parts.

Evaluate cost-effective alternatives without compromising safety, reliability, and process performance.

Review contractor and service requirements and recommend appropriate resources.

J. Documentation and Reporting

Maintain accurate instrumentation and automation documentation.

Ensure proper updating of:

• Instrument index
• P&IDs
• Loop diagrams
• Control narratives
• PLC/DCS documentation
• Calibration records
• Equipment history
• Preventive maintenance records
• Spare parts lists

Prepare periodic reports covering instrumentation reliability, maintenance activities, breakdowns, calibration status, and improvement initiatives.

Develop and monitor department KPIs and maintenance performance indicators.

Prepare technical reports and recommendations for management.

Ensure proper turnover and documentation of completed projects and modifications.

Job Requirements

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electronics Engineering or Electronics and Communications Engineering

Licensed Electronics Engineer or Electronics and Communications Engineer

Experience

At least 15 years of relevant experience in instrumentation, automation, process control, or industrial maintenance.

Experience in a sugar mill, bioethanol plant, chemical plant, food processing plant, power plant, refinery, or other continuous-process manufacturing facility is highly preferred.

Strong experience with DCS, PLC, SCADA, control valves, industrial instrumentation, process analyzers, and automation systems.