The Principal Instrumentation Designer provides senior-level design leadership and technical expertise for instrumentation and control (I&C) deliverables across major projects. This role is accountable for the quality, consistency, and timely delivery of complex instrumentation design packages in support of Client and its customers, while providing technical mentorship to design teams.
Responsibilities
Lead and deliver high-quality instrumentation design services that meet Client, client, and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, on time and within budget.
You will be accountable for:
Leading the development, coordination, and quality assurance of instrumentation design deliverables across the full project lifecycle (concept, FEED, detailed design, construction support).
Providing technical direction and oversight to instrumentation designers and drafting teams, including task assignment, workload planning, and design reviews.
Participating in project planning, progress reporting, and compliance with required checking and quality assurance procedures.
Ensuring project scope is clearly defined and that changes are managed in accordance with project change management processes.
Supporting procurement, construction, and commissioning activities, including:
Review of requisitions and technical bid evaluations
Input to purchase orders and vendor documentation
Resolution of site and vendor queries
Coordinating closely with engineering disciplines (process, electrical, mechanical, piping, and automation) to ensure fully integrated designs.
Proactively identifying and resolving discrepancies between Client and client design standards and requirements.
Providing technical input into constructability, maintainability, and operability reviews.
Supporting and mentoring junior designers and engineers, fostering technical excellence and knowledge sharing within the instrumentation team.
Communicating effectively with project stakeholders, including clients, vendors, and construction partners.
Identifying technical risks and issues, developing practical solutions, and escalating when appropriate.
Technical & Industry Experience
Extensive experience delivering complex instrumentation design on industrial projects (e.g., energy, mining, chemicals, or infrastructure).
Strong working knowledge of I&C design systems, workflows, and document management tools (e.g., SAP, KMS or similar project systems).
Demonstrated participation in process safety and operability studies (e.g., HAZOP, LOPA) and the ability to translate outcomes into design requirements.
Solid understanding of project scope development, workshare execution, and delegation of design activities across internal and external teams.
Strong working knowledge of core Instrumentation & Control design deliverables, including:
Junction box and marshalling panel layouts
P&IDs
Loop diagrams, wiring diagrams, and instrument location drawings
Motor control and interconnection schematics
Instrument installation details
Instrument datasheets and specifications
I/O lists
Bills of material
Cable, conduit, and tray schedules
Control narratives and philosophies
Cause & effect diagrams
Material requisitions
Construction and engineering work packages
Working knowledge of instrumentation selection and application, including:
Flow measurement (orifice plates, vortex, venturi, magnetic, ultrasonic).
Level measurement (radar, displacers, gauges).
Temperature measurement (including thermowell design and frequency wake. calculations)
Pressure measurement and associated accessories.
Education, Qualifications & Accreditation
Required:
Accredited Engineering Technology, Design, or related technical qualification (Engineering degree or diploma preferred).
Extensive experience in senior-level Instrumentation & Controls design roles on large, multidisciplinary projects.
Demonstrated ability to interpret, develop, and review complex I&C drawings, schematics, and technical documentation.
Strong communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred (where applicable):
Professional designation or eligibility for professional certification relevant to design or engineering disciplines (e.g., APEGA, ASET, or equivalent).