Instrumentation & Controls Manager
Lead instrumentation and controls function across manufacturing, laboratory, and pilot production environments. Oversee installation, maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and improvement of instrumentation, control systems, and related equipment. This is a hands-on leadership role in a regulated manufacturing environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Instrumentation & Controls Leadership
- Lead day-to-day I&C activities across manufacturing, laboratory, and technical operations
- Supervise and support I&C technicians, contractors, and related maintenance personnel
- Establish priorities for instrumentation maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and system improvements
- Ensure I&C work is executed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with approved procedures
- Serve as the primary technical resource for instrumentation and controls issues across the site
Calibration & Measurement Systems
- Own calibration program execution for process instruments, sensors, transmitters, gauges, meters, and related equipment
- Ensure calibration activities are completed on schedule and properly documented
- Maintain calibration records in accordance with company procedures, quality requirements, and applicable regulatory expectations
- Support development and improvement of calibration procedures, standards, and intervals
- Coordinate with quality and engineering teams to ensure measurement systems are accurate, traceable, and fit for purpose
Control Systems & Equipment Support
- Support troubleshooting, repair, and improvement of control systems, instrumentation loops, panels, sensors, and automated equipment
- Work with engineering teams on startup, commissioning, and modification of new systems and equipment
- Support PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial control system activities as applicable
- Diagnose recurring instrumentation or control system issues and drive corrective actions
- Ensure changes to control systems and instrumentation are properly reviewed, documented, and controlled
Preventive Maintenance & Reliability
- Develop and maintain preventive maintenance plans for instrumentation and control systems
- Partner with maintenance and operations teams to improve uptime, reliability, and equipment performance
- Identify obsolete, unreliable, or high-risk instrumentation and develop replacement or upgrade plans
- Support spare parts planning for critical instrumentation and controls components
- Use failure history and field observations to improve maintenance practices and reduce repeat issues
Project & Engineering Support
- Support engineering projects involving instrumentation, controls, automation, and process equipment
- Review drawings, specifications, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, control logic, and vendor documentation
- Provide input on instrument selection, control strategies, maintainability, and operational needs
- Support factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, commissioning, and turnover activities
- Ensure new systems are maintainable, documented, and supportable by site personnel
Documentation & Compliance
- Maintain accurate records for calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, system changes, and equipment status
- Ensure I&C activities comply with company procedures, safety requirements, quality standards, and applicable regulatory expectations
- Support audits, inspections, corrective actions, and quality reviews related to instrumentation and controls
- Develop and improve procedures, work instructions, and technical documentation for I&C activities
Safety & Field Execution
- Ensure all I&C work is performed in accordance with safety procedures, including LOTO, electrical safety, PPE, and radiological controls where applicable
- Support pre-job planning, hazard identification, and work package development for I&C activities
- Maintain field presence to support technicians, troubleshoot equipment issues, and verify safe work execution
- Promote disciplined work practices and strong communication between I&C, operations, engineering, and EH&S
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Instrumentation, Mechatronics, or a related technical field; equivalent technical, military, or industrial experience will be considered
- 7+ years of experience in instrumentation, controls, automation, maintenance, or electrical systems in an industrial or manufacturing environment
- Experience leading technicians, contractors, or technical teams in a field-based environment
- Strong understanding of process instrumentation, control loops, sensors, transmitters, gauges, meters, and industrial control systems
- Experience with calibration programs, calibration records, and traceable measurement systems
- Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, loop diagrams, wiring diagrams, and technical drawings
- Experience troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, VFDs, control panels, and automated equipment preferred
- Familiarity with preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, spare parts planning, and maintenance management systems
- Strong documentation skills and experience working in regulated or quality-controlled environments
- Ability to work cross-functionally with operations, engineering, maintenance, quality, and EH&S teams
- Experience in nuclear, chemical processing, energy, aerospace, defense, or other regulated industrial environments is a plus
BENEFITS
- Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account
- Disability and Life Insurance
- 401(k) Plan
- Paid Time Off and Holidays
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This role is based on-site in Oak Ridge, TN and involves regular work in manufacturing, laboratory, pilot production, and industrial environments. The position requires hands-on support of instrumentation, electrical, and control systems, including field troubleshooting, equipment inspections, and coordination of maintenance and calibration activities. Work may involve standing for extended periods, use of PPE, lockout/tagout, electrical safety controls, and occasional work in controlled or radiological areas.