How to become a control and instrumentation engineer

As a C&I engineer, you'll create and manage equipment and software that monitor and control machinery, production lines and other engineering processes. Your work can cover design, installation, testing, maintenance and improvement, with safety and reliability at the centre of every project.

You could work for an equipment manufacturer, engineering consultancy or organisation that operates complex plant and systems. Employers are found in sectors such as chemicals, energy, food and drink, manufacturing, nuclear, pharmaceuticals, transport and utilities. The role is multidisciplinary, so you'll work with colleagues in engineering, operations, procurement, production and project management.

Types of control and instrumentation engineering

You may specialise in one or more control technologies, including:

advanced process control (APC) - using models and data to improve complex processes
distributed control systems (DCS) - coordinating control across large plants or sites
programmable logic controllers (PLC) - programming automated machinery and production systems
supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) - monitoring and controlling equipment across a site or network.

What does a control and instrumentation engineer do?

As a control and instrumentation engineer, you'll need to:

analyse operating data, investigate faults and report your findings
design, develop and specify control and instrumentation systems
ensure systems meet health, safety, cyber security, environmental and quality requirements
install, commission, calibrate, test and modify equipment and software
liaise with clients, suppliers, contractors and regulatory bodies
manage technical work to agreed budgets, deadlines and standards
prepare technical documents, software, test procedures and business proposals
work with engineering, operations, procurement and production teams.

Control and instrumentation engineer salary

Graduate and entry-level salaries are typically £30,000 to £40,000.
With about five years' experience, salaries are commonly £40,000 to £55,000.
Senior, specialist or professionally registered engineers can earn £55,000 to £75,000 or more.

Pay varies by sector, location, qualifications, professional registration and level of responsibility. Roles involving shift work, on-call duties, travel or hazardous locations may include allowances, overtime or other benefits.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does a control and instrumentation engineer work?

You'll usually work 37 to 40 hours a week. Some plant, maintenance and commissioning roles include shifts, overtime, standby or on-call work so that faults can be resolved quickly.

Your time may be split between an office, laboratory, factory or operational site. Client visits and site work are common, and some projects involve travel or periods away from home. Hybrid working may be available for design, analysis and reporting tasks, but installation, testing and maintenance usually need to be completed on site. With experience, you may move into contract or consultancy work.

You'll usually need a degree in control and instrumentation engineering or a closely related engineering subject. An accredited integrated MEng can fully meet the educational requirements for chartered engineer (CEng) registration, while an accredited BEng may meet the requirements for incorporated engineer (IEng) registration or, with appropriate further learning to Masters level, contribute towards CEng registration.

Relevant degree subjects include:

applied physics or physics
chemical engineering
computer engineering
electrical and electronic engineering
mechanical engineering
systems engineering.

Choose a course accredited by a professional engineering institution where possible. Accreditation can support later applications for incorporated engineer (IEng) or chartered engineer (CEng) status. If your first degree has limited control engineering content, an employer may prefer a relevant postgraduate qualification.

A Level 6 control systems engineer degree apprenticeship is another route. It combines paid work with an integrated degree and is currently approved for delivery in England. Entry through an HND or foundation degree may also be possible, often at technician level, with opportunities to gain further qualifications while working.

Search postgraduate courses in control and instrumentation engineering.

Key skills for a control and instrumentation engineer

You'll need:

analytical and numerical skills to interpret process data and assess system performance
attention to detail when producing specifications, code and technical records
commercial and project awareness to balance safety, quality, cost and deadlines
communication skills to explain technical information to clients and multidisciplinary teams
control systems knowledge, including relevant hardware, software and industrial networks
problem-solving skills to diagnose faults and develop practical solutions
safety and risk awareness for work with complex plant and regulated processes.

Control and instrumentation engineering work experience

Relevant experience can strengthen your applications and help you understand how control systems operate in practice. Look for internships, vacation placements, industrial-year programmes, work shadowing or technical projects with engineering employers. Apply early for structured schemes, as places can be competitive.

Course projects involving automation, robotics, sensors, PLCs, programming or data analysis can also provide useful evidence of your skills. You could make speculative applications to local manufacturers, systems integrators, engineering consultancies or utilities. Student membership of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) or Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC) can give you access to events, technical resources and networking opportunities.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs control and instrumentation engineers?

You can work for organisations that design and supply control equipment, engineering consultancies, systems integrators, manufacturers and companies that operate industrial plant. Employers include organisations in:

aerospace and defence
automotive and transport
chemicals and pharmaceuticals
energy, nuclear and renewables
food, drink and consumer goods
manufacturing and materials
utilities and environmental services.

Look for job vacancies at:

Employers also advertise through their own careers pages. Specialist engineering recruitment consultancies can handle permanent and contract vacancies, and networking through professional bodies may help you hear about opportunities.

Professional development and career prospects in control and instrumentation engineering

Your initial training is likely to be employer-specific and may cover plant operations, manufacturing processes, cyber security, testing, calibration, quality standards, installation and commissioning. You'll continue to update your knowledge as equipment, software, standards and regulations change.

Many employers support professional registration as an incorporated engineer (IEng) or chartered engineer (CEng) through the Engineering Council. You'll normally join a licensed professional body, such as the IET or InstMC, record your continuing professional development (CPD) and demonstrate the required competence and commitment.

During your first five to ten years, you may progress from graduate engineer to project engineer, senior engineer or technical specialist. You could take responsibility for larger systems, lead commissioning or maintenance programmes, manage teams and budgets, or move into engineering management. Progression depends on your technical expertise, project record, professional registration, sector knowledge and willingness to take on site or overseas assignments.

With broad technical and commercial experience, you could move into consultancy, systems integration, operations, project management, sales engineering, research or teaching. Experienced engineers may also become self-employed contractors or independent consultants.