Instrumentation engineering is specialized branch of electrical and electronic engineering, which focuses on the principle, and operation of measuring instruments, which are used in design and configuration of automated systems. These engineers work for industries with automated processes, such as chemical or manufacturing plants, with the goal of improving system productivity, reliability, safety, optimization and stability. Instrumentation Engineers help in the designing, construction and maintenance of instruments and entire instrumentation systems of an industrial undertaking. An instrumentation engineer decides the type of instruments needed for ensuring better quality and efficiency of the end product.
Instrumentation engineers can get jobs in R&D units of public and private sector companies. They are also required by the Heavy industries such as Thermal Power Stations, Steel Plants, Refineries, and Cement and Fertilizer Plants. They have a multidisciplinary role to play. One may choose to move sideways into other career areas either within or outside their industry. This might include areas such as purchasing, sales, marketing, finance, HR, IT or general management.
These engineers can pursue consultancy-based work. Those who have an aptitude use their expertise they have gained in industry and engage in academic research in universities or acquire a tutoring/coaching role as a lecturer or trainer of instrumentation engineers. Senior level positions are occupied with a Masters Degree and they carry the highest level of responsibility and may include planning and managing activities, as well as leading on new developments. Senior engineers in production and operation functions can often be representatives at board level.
A control and instrumentation engineer is essentially responsible for designing, developing, installing, managing and/or maintaining equipment which is used to monitor and control engineering systems, machinery and processes. Tasks and responsibilities, which are common to instrumentation engineers, may include:
- Designing and developing new control systems;
- Maintaining and modifying existing systems;
- Managing operations;
- Working collaboratively with design engineers, operation engineers, purchasers and other internal staff;
- Contacting clients, suppliers, contractors and relevant authorities
- Project management within cost and time constrained environments;
- Troubleshooting and problem-solving;
- Understanding and ensuring compliance with the health and safety regulations and quality standards
- Providing advice and consultancy support;
- Purchasing equipment;
- Writing computer software;
- Developing new business proposals
One has to hold a B.E or B.Tech degree in Instrumentation Engineering.
Besides basic sciences and engineering subjects, communication and control systems, computers, microelectronics, radar and television engineering, microwave communication is taught in this course.
Though instrumentation engineering itself is a specialized subject yet those who want to pursue further studies can do PhD in the following areas:
- Digital Signal processing
- Monitor Control
- Speech Processing
- Censor Network
- Intelligent Controls
