Job Description
Instrument Technician
The Instrument Technician is responsible for maintaining, calibrating, troubleshooting, repairing, and installing instrumentation and control systems used in chemical manufacturing operations. This role ensures that process instrumentation operates safely, reliably, and efficiently to support continuous plant production.
Key Responsibilities
Instrumentation Maintenance & Calibration
- Perform routine calibration, testing, and adjustment of instrumentation such as pressure, temperature, flow, and level transmitters.
- Maintain control valves, actuators, analyzers, and related control equipment.
- Document all calibration and maintenance activities according to plant standards and regulatory requirements.
Troubleshooting & Repair
- Diagnose instrumentation malfunctions and resolve issues to minimize downtime.
- Interpret loop drawings, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and instrument specifications.
- Use test equipment such as multimeters, loop calibrators, HART communicators, and oscilloscopes.
Installation & Commissioning
- Install new instrumentation per engineering specifications and industry standards.
- Assist with commissioning of new equipment and system start-ups.
- Ensure proper wiring, tubing, and signal integrity.
- Calibrates instruments and uses many different instruments to measure temperature, level, pressure and flow
- Installs and maintains electrical and pneumatic systems
- Monitors specific equipment (PH)
- Monitors and replaces pressure relief valves and rupture discs
- Monitors plant areas for the presence of combustibles (sniffing)
Control Systems Support
- Work with DCS/PLC control systems (e.g., Honeywell, Emerson, Allen-Bradley).
- Support fieldbus, HART, and other digital communication protocols.
- Assist in modifying control logic or loop tuning as directed by engineering.
Safety & Compliance
- Follow all plant safety procedures, including, but not limited to, lockout/tagout, confined space, and hot work policies.
- Comply with OSHA, EPA, and process safety management (PSM) requirements.
- Participate in hazard assessments (PHA/HAZOP) and reliability improvement initiatives.
Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain accurate records in CMMS systems (e.g., SAP, Maximo).
- Provide detailed reports on equipment status, repairs, and recommendations.
- Support root cause analysis for equipment failures.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Associate degree or technical diploma in Instrumentation, Electronics, Industrial Automation, or related field.
- 35 years of experience in industrial instrumentation (chemical, refinery, power generation preferred).
- Certifications such as ISA CCST (Level I/II) are a plus.
- Prior work experience as a maintenance mechanic is strongly preferred (single craft or multi-craft).
Technical Skills
- Strong knowledge of process instrumentation and control systems.
- Familiarity with hazardous area classifications (Class I Div 1/2, ATEX, etc.).
- Experience with pneumatic and electronic control loops.
- Proficiency with test/diagnostic equipment.
Soft Skills
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Good communication and documentation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
- Instrument Technicians are self-directed. They work with little to no supervision. They are technical experts in the area of instrumentation, receive little technical guidance from management. The troubleshooting work is complicated, demanding and has high time pressures. The nature of the work is becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated, particularly in the area of process automation system troubleshooting.
Working Conditions
- Chemical plant environment with exposure to heat, noise, chemicals, and rotating equipment.
- Requires use of PPE (respirators, goggles, flame?resistant clothing, etc.).
- Will require overtime, on?call duties, and occasional work at heights or confined spaces.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 60 lbs. Multiple times a shift
- Ability to climb ladders, work from elevated platforms, and stand/walk for extended periods.
- Manual dexterity for handling small components and tools.
Synthomer
Job Tags
Work experience placement, Casual work, Shift work