Senior Instrumentation Engineer

As a Senior Instrumentation Engineer at Arbor, your primary responsibilities will include designing and developing instrumentation and control systems, creating wiring and instrumentation drawings, managing instrumentation selection, and supporting commissioning efforts. You’ll work closely with system engineers to specify the appropriate instrumentation and will be involved in various stages of the design and implementation process, ensuring compliance with industry standards.

To qualify for the Senior Instrumentation Engineer position at Arbor, candidates must have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related STEM field, along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in instrumentation engineering. Strong knowledge of common instrumentation such as thermocouples and pressure transducers is essential, as is familiarity with ISA and IEEE standards. Proficiency in Python, C++, or Golang is preferred but not mandatory.

Arbor values prior experience in instrumentation engineering, particularly in the process and power generation industries. It’s essential to have hands-on knowledge with industrial controls, data acquisition systems (DAQ), and troubleshooting instrumentation issues. Experience in PCB/circuit design for protecting analog instrumentation and familiarity with low and medium voltage power system design can also enhance your candidacy.

Yes, the Senior Instrumentation Engineer role at Arbor may involve up to 20% travel, primarily to our test site in San Bernardino, CA. This travel will be essential for conducting on-site troubleshooting, overseeing installations, and ensuring that systems are operating effectively in the field.

At Arbor, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to our Senior Instrumentation Engineers that includes extensive medical benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance. We also provide life insurance, contributions to FSA and HSA, unlimited PTO, and generous company holidays. Additionally, all employees are eligible for stock options, allowing you to share in Arbor's future successes.

When answering this question, it's essential to discuss specific projects where you developed wiring and instrumentation diagrams. Highlight your understanding of industry standards and explain how you ensured accuracy and compliance in your designs. Mention any software tools you used, your approach to addressing design challenges, and how your diagrams improved project outcomes.

Begin your response by outlining your troubleshooting methodology, such as gathering data on the issue, conducting systematic tests, and analyzing results. Provide examples of past problems you’ve successfully resolved, emphasizing your analytical skills and teamwork with other engineers. Discuss how you document the resolution process and any preventive measures you put in place to avoid future issues.

In your response, explain the critical factors you consider when selecting instrumentation for systems that require SIL3 certification, including reliability, redundancy, and fail-safe features. Share examples of specific instruments you’ve worked with that meet such standards and elaborate on how you ensured compliance during the selection process.

This is a great opportunity to talk about your commitment to continuous learning. Mention relevant certifications, workshops, or webinars you attend, as well as any industry publications you read. Additionally, discuss any professional organizations you belong to and how they help you understand emerging trends and technologies in instrumentation engineering.

When providing your answer, choose a project where collaboration was key to its success. Describe the role you played, how you worked together with system engineers to define instrumentation needs, and the impact of your joint efforts on project outcomes. Be sure to highlight communication skills, teamwork, and how the collaboration led to innovative solutions.

Outline your process for creating preventive maintenance plans, emphasizing the importance of system reliability and performance. Discuss how you assess the needs based on equipment specifications and historical performance data. Provide examples of preventive measures you’ve implemented and the positive impact these had on system operability.

Detail your experience working with PLCs, discussing specific brands and models you’ve dealt with, and how you’ve integrated them within instrumentation systems. Provide examples of how this integration improved system performance or streamlined processes. Highlight your understanding of programming and configuring PLCs for various applications.

Emphasize your knowledge of ISA and IEEE standards and how you apply them in your engineering practices. Discuss specific instances where you ensured compliance, including how you verified that instrumentation designs met these standards during the design and implementation phases.

Share a specific challenge you encountered in the realm of instrumentation engineering, detailing the context and your thought process. Discuss the steps you took to resolve the issue and the lessons learned. This will highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to complex situations.

When answering this question, connect your personal values with Arbor's mission. Share your passion for sustainable technology and bioenergy, and explain how your skills and experiences align with their initiatives. Mention the aspects of Arbor's work culture that appeal to you, such as innovation, teamwork, and commitment to environmental stewardship.