Instrumentation Specialist
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Worksite: Poly Plant or Chemical Complex
Position Type: Long-Term Contract
Duration: Multiple Years / Ongoing
Work Arrangement: On-site
Eligibility: Local candidates only
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Instrumentation Specialist to support operations and maintenance activities at an industrial facility in Baton Rouge. The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of experience in instrumentation and process automation , with a strong background in manufacturing, petrochemical, chemical, refining, or similar industrial environments.
This position will serve as a technical subject matter expert supporting maintenance and operations teams, troubleshooting complex instrumentation and control system issues, and providing technical guidance for maintenance, construction, turnaround, and project activities.
Candidates may have started their careers as instrumentation technicians but should currently be operating at a specialist, engineer, coordinator, lead, or other senior technical level .
Key Responsibilities
- Provide subject matter expertise for instrumentation, control systems, analyzers, and related I&C equipment.
- Support maintenance and operations teams with complex troubleshooting and technical issues .
- Make field decisions regarding electrical, instrumentation, and controls construction requirements .
- Confirm compliance with applicable safety, LOTO, codes, standards, and design requirements .
- Support and/or supervise PLC and DCS network installation , loop testing, and calibration activities.
- Coordinate between site engineering, home-office engineering, operations, maintenance, and construction contractors .
- Review detailed engineering and construction drawings for constructability .
- Coordinate construction sequences and activities between on-site contractors.
- Review contractor plans, equipment requirements, and cycle times.
- Participate in maintenance design reviews, constructability reviews, turnarounds, and project activities .
- Support maintenance planning, scheduling, and management activities.
- Assist with identifying field conditions and recommending appropriate remediation steps .
- Monitor project/contract budgets and schedules and assist with evaluating change orders.
- Promote effective collaboration across teams and influence decisions without direct authority.
- Maintain a strong focus on Safety, Security, Health, and Environmental (SSHE) requirements.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in instrumentation, process automation, electrical/instrumentation & controls, or a closely related field.
- Experience working in a manufacturing, chemical, petrochemical, refinery, oil & gas, or similar industrial facility .
- Strong knowledge of instrumentation and control systems .
- Experience with PLC, DCS, analyzers, loop testing, and calibration .
- Ability to interpret:
- Instrumentation and electrical installation plans
- Single-line diagrams
- Block diagrams
- Loop diagrams
- Engineering and construction drawings
- Technical specifications
- Engineering details and designs
- Knowledge of LOTO procedures, SSHE requirements, applicable codes, and industry standards .
- Experience working with engineering and construction contractors .
- Strong communication and documentation skills.
- Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines, heavy workloads, and changing priorities .
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office .
- Technical degree in an appropriate discipline or equivalent professional experience.
- Must be local to the Baton Rouge area.
Preferred Background
Experience in one or more of the following environments is highly desirable:
Chemical | Petrochemical | Manufacturing | Refining | Oil & Gas | Process Plants | Industrial Facilities
What We’re Looking For
The successful candidate will be a senior-level instrumentation and controls professional who can operate independently in the field, provide technical guidance to maintenance and operations teams, coordinate with contractors and engineering groups, and support complex I&C activities from troubleshooting through construction and project execution.