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Instrumentation engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Florian Solzbacher,

Florian Solzbacher

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical instrumentation engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for instrumentation engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 8.1% of instrumentation engineer resumes contained plc as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an instrumentation engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 instrumentation engineer skills for your resume and career

1. PLC

Here's how instrumentation engineers use plc:

Developed control system architecture and selected PLC hardware.
Designed and developed machine logic in Allen Bradley PLC, operator interfaces in National Lab Lookout and program servo motion controls.

2. Autocad

Here's how instrumentation engineers use autocad:

Generated instrumentation diagrams for ground test engineering stands using AutoCAD.
Performed electrical drawings and instrumentation loops on AutoCAD.

3. Analyzers

An analyzer is a tool used for analyzing. It could range from analyzing data to just about anything depending on where it's been used and who is using it. Analyzers come in different forms and are used for different purposes. There are logic analyzers, network analyzers, data analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and many more. The purpose of analyzers is to determine the patterns or how a particular system work, and to also fish out errors in the said system.

Here's how instrumentation engineers use analyzers:

Maintain clinical analyzers for manufacturing * Schedule and perform preventative maintenance on over 20 instruments.
Replaced existing gas analyzers damaged by Hurricane Katrina for Dow Chemical Production Plant.

4. Troubleshoot

Troubleshooting is the process of analyzing and fixing any kind of problem in a system or a machine. Troubleshooting is the detailed yet quick search in the system for the main source of an issue and solving it.

Here's how instrumentation engineers use troubleshoot:

Supported troubleshoot activities in coordination with the inter-department personnel; i.e.
Calibrate instruments and troubleshoot problems.

5. Instrumentation Systems

Here's how instrumentation engineers use instrumentation systems:

Designed custom instrumentation systems used in Plasma Spectroscopy of argon and hydrogen gases in the Plasma Physics Laboratory.
Supervised and instructed technicians in the repairing and troubleshooting of vehicle and ancillary instrumentation system.

6. CAD

Here's how instrumentation engineers use cad:

Managed electrical design team, consisting of designers and CAD personnel, provided electrical engineering design and start up support.
Perform 2D CAD modifications for Functional Logic Diagram - Perform 2D CAD modifications for Plot Plan of Field Instrument.

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7. Technical Support

Technical support or tech support are the services provided by any hardware or software company to users. They help in solving the technical difficulties the customers face with their products or services. Moreover, the tech support employees maintain, manage, and repair the IT faults. They are also responsible for resolving the network problems, installing and configuring hardware and software.

Here's how instrumentation engineers use technical support:

Provided technical support to maintenance on electrical and instrumentation problems during start-up at a DuPont facility.
Supervised commissioning of instrumentation system and extended technical support during start-up of the plants.

8. Control Valves

A control valve is a device that uses power to manipulate and regulate the flow of fluids. A control valve is the most common final control element in the industry since it is a critical part of a control loop.

Here's how instrumentation engineers use control valves:

Provided calculations and documentation for selection of control valves, regulators, relief valves and electronic and pneumatic instrumentation.
Performed valve sizing calculations and worked on various types of control valves including air-to-open/air-to-close types.

9. Data Acquisition Systems

Here's how instrumentation engineers use data acquisition systems:

Created planning for set up of data acquisition systems, component instrumentation, system and instrumentation calibration.
Provided instructions and developed drawings/directions for vendors to install wiring for data acquisition system.

10. NEC

The National Executive Council, NEC, is responsible for managing and determining the overall strategic direction of a party, policy development, policymaking, and the overall governance of the society. The members of the National Executive Committee are elected and accountable to all members of the geographical area they represent.

Here's how instrumentation engineers use nec:

Ensured that my assigned area stayed in compliance electrically with standards such as OSHA, EPA, NEC, NFPA etc.
Created / Updated AC, DC and ESS Systems in accordance with API RP 14C & NEC.

11. Electrical Equipment

Here's how instrumentation engineers use electrical equipment:

Evaluated field-installed electrical equipment for possible hazard condition and developed electrical classification drawings per API and NFPA.
Conducted engineering studies and economic analyses related to electrical equipment and facility operation and maintenance.

12. Control Systems

Here's how instrumentation engineers use control systems:

Design and engineer electrical instrument and control systems for industrial facilities, oil refinery petrochemical, gas compression and chemical applications.
Designed industrial process control systems related to petrochemical facilities, construction and pumping operations.

13. Project Management

Here's how instrumentation engineers use project management:

Project Management and Coordination to ensure Project Standards, Specifications, and approved Construction drawings has been followed.
Project Management: Responsible for all aspects of installing gauges and the recording system.

14. Test Equipment

Test equipment is a mechanical tool or a device which is used create signals and gather response from an electronic device under test. It helps in detecting any faults in the device and it also proves the proper operation of the electronic device.

Here's how instrumentation engineers use test equipment:

Utilized standardized test equipment and evaluated results to assess performance and determine requirements for improvement.
Generate Review and Revise Operational Procedures for Electrical Inspection and Test equipment.

15. Refinery

A refinery is an establishment composing of a group of chemical engineering unit processes and operations for refining certain raw materials into products of value like metal, sugar, or petroleum.

Here's how instrumentation engineers use refinery:

Prepared cost estimates and justification for additions and modifications to the refinery in support of business planning and financial analysis.
Provided technical assistance to Refinery field and operating personnel in resolving day-to-day instrument related issues within the Refinery.

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What skills help Instrumentation Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What soft skills should all instrumentation engineers possess?

Florian Solzbacher

Department Chair, Professor, Elect & Computer Engineering, University of Utah

Engineering is about teamwork. All major quantum leaps and most products require extensive system engineering and diverse skills. Engineers need to be able to understand the languages and workflows not only across engineering disciplines but also ranging into business, legal and ethical aspects of their work. This includes communication and project management skills.

What hard/technical skills are most important for instrumentation engineers?

Florian Solzbacher

Department Chair, Professor, Elect & Computer Engineering, University of Utah

First of all, the fundamentals (mostly math, physics, materials/chemistry) and basic EE/CE concepts need to be solid. As stated above: the ability to solve real-world development and system integration problems that require "global optimization" of technical performance as opposed to local optimization of specific sub-systems or components is really critical.

Beyond that, given the accelerating breadth of specializations and sub-areas, it is important that students have sufficient depth and breadth of knowledge in the specific area they are targeting. It is important that schools are offering tracks and guidance as to what skills are needed to allow students to successfully master engineering tasks across a range of sub-areas. We have to recognize that in the context of a 4-year program, it is no longer possible to train a student in all areas of ECE - a combined BS/MS degree or MS/Ph.D. degree obviously provides more runway to add breadth.

What skills stand out on instrumentation engineer resumes?

Florian Solzbacher

Department Chair, Professor, Elect & Computer Engineering, University of Utah

Examples of having applied the knowledge gained in their studies to practical examples of solving engineering problems that require the combination of skills and at least some understanding of system engineering aspects are important signals that graduating engineers are ready to be productive in a real-world setting are always important. Obviously, participating in projects that address current "hot topic" problems, e.g., in robotics, AI/machine learning, power systems, biomedical applications, or that resonate with specific problems an employer is currently working on, will raise a student's profile.

Supplemental skills, such as Entrepreneurial or business training, can enhance and differentiate a student's resume. This shows that an engineer is not solely focused on the core technical engineering skills but does have an understanding of the driving forces and their interaction in a real-world business setting, that are not only part of the design requirements for a product (e.g., design to cost), but also often drive the selection of technical solution paths, after all, every development and product has to make business sense. Imagine two young engineers proposing a solution to their manager for a new product: one maybe even over-exceeds the technical requirements, but the development and/or manufacturing and servicing effort and cost is significantly higher than a colleagues solution that may only just about reach the requirements, or maybe even compromise on some specifications, but that is far cheaper to develop, make and service and that may allow entering a far larger market- chances are very high that the business may decide to go for the "inferior" solution from a technical point of view, that is, however, the better product. This supplemental skill set is a significant competitive advantage to have as an engineer.

What instrumentation engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Angela Rasmussen

Professor (Lecturer) Director of Mentoring and Advising Director of Electrical Engineering Senior Projects, University of Utah

Hone your skills by taking online classes, or consider getting something such as the University of Utah Electrical and Computer Engineering Online Master's Degree which can increase your overall income, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, by approximately $20,000 in comparison to just having a Bachelor of Science degree. Our department has removed many barriers and streamlined our admittance process for this upcoming Fall 2020 semester.

Another skill to expand is programming. Consider learning a new programming language to build on your current skills. Also, look at different job opportunities and choose a skill that you are lacking to improve upon.

What type of skills will young instrumentation engineers need?

Dr. Ramanarayanan "Vish" Viswanathan Ph.D.

Chair and Professor, University of Mississippi

All graduates need to 1) have a broad understanding of electrical engineering and have programming skills, 2) be able to work collaboratively, and 3) effectively communicate with co-workers, both orally and through writing. Additionally, depending upon the nature of the job, some would need effective communication skills to interface with external stakeholders, and some would need strong foundations on theory and applications of electrical engineering, including networking of computers and devices.

Do you want to know more?

List of instrumentation engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an instrumentation engineer resume and required skills for an instrumentation engineer to have include:

PLC
Autocad
Analyzers
Troubleshoot
Instrumentation Systems
CAD
Technical Support
Control Valves
Data Acquisition Systems
NEC
Electrical Equipment
Control Systems
Project Management
Test Equipment
Refinery

DCS
API
ISA
Equipment Specifications
Process Control
HMI
Transmitters
LabVIEW
SPI
ISO
SIS
Engineering Support
I/O
Process Instrumentation
Chemical Plant

Prototyping
IEC
Oil Gas
Ethernet
Strain Gauges
Transducers
Control Room
Switches
Preventive Maintenance
Cost Estimates
HAZOP
NASA
Accelerometers
Technical Documentation

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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