Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Project Engineer

Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. Join our global team to grow your expertise and develop innovative solutions that enable a prosperous and more sustainable society.

About The Role

Job Summary

Location: Colton, California

The I&C Project Engineer is responsible for the design and execution of packaged control and power solutions from order kickoff through FAT and turnover. Typical scope includes control system design, MCCs, MV/LV VFDs, RVSSs, PLSs, RTUs, and field instrumentation. This role owns technical coordination, submittals, documentation, schedule/budget tracking for the I&C portion, and factory acceptance testing readiness and execution. The I&C Project Engineer is not responsible for installation, however, is responsible for customer engagement, witnessing FAT testing on location, etc.

Travel Requirements & Working Conditions

• Travel: Up to 25–40% based on project needs (regional and occasional out-of-state).
• Typical travel purposes: Customer/site walks, design coordination meetings, pre-FAT reviews, customer witness FAT, inspections, interface meetings with the GC/EC/customer, troubleshooting, and post-shipment technical support meetings (non-installation).
• Duration: Most trips 1–3 days; occasional trips up to 1 week for major FATs or multi-package projects.
• Schedule flexibility: Ability to travel on short notice at times to support critical project milestones (e.g., customer witness FAT windows).
• Physical demands: Ability to work in shop and industrial environments around large equipment; may require standing/walking for extended periods, and climbing ladders/stairs.
• Site conditions: Exposure to industrial hazards (noise, dust, weather, moving equipment) while adhering to required PPE and site safety rules.

Scope of Supply (Typical)

• Control system design (instrumentation and control architecture, integration, and interfaces)
• MCC lineups and associated controls
• Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and controls (as applicable)
• Reduced Voltage Soft Starters (RVSS) and controls (as applicable)
• RTUs / PLC panels (as applicable to contract)
• Field instruments (specified instruments and accessories)
• Switchboards (SWBD) as part of package supply (startup/energization excluded)

Associated drawings, submittals, test documentation, owner trainings, and FAT execution

Core Responsibilities

• Control System Design (Primary Technical Ownership)
• Develop the overall control system approach based on project requirements, including:
  • Control architecture (RTU/PLC/remote I/O concepts where applicable)
  • Communications and integration philosophy (protocols, network topology, addressing strategy)
  • Power and control interface requirements between MCC/VFD/RVSS/RTU and instrumentation
• Produce and/or review design deliverables as required by the contract and internal standards: I/O lists, instrument lists, control narratives/cause & effect, Loop diagrams, termination drawings, interconnects, Panel drawings, Network diagrams, and communications mappings.
• Ensure designs are buildable, testable (FAT-ready), and aligned with customer standards and project constraints.
• Coordinate design reviews and address comments to closure prior to shop release.
• Project Execution & Coordination (Delivery Ownership): Own the I&C/controls portion of project execution: deliverables, schedule, budget awareness, and quality.
• Review contract documents and customer standards; translate requirements into a deliverables list and execution plan.
• Coordinate across internal engineering, integration teams, procurement, QA, and project stakeholders.
• Manage submittal flow: compile, review, and submit vendor data; track comments; close out resubmittals.
• Provide clear status updates; maintain action-item logs, decision records, interface registers.
• Manage change control for the I&C scope: document scope clarifications, deviations, and impacts.
• Technical Deliverables & Compliance: Verify compliance with applicable codes/standards and customer requirements, including NEC/NFPA 70 and UL 508A practices where applicable.
• Evaluate vendor compliance for supplied equipment and instrumentation; document exceptions and obtain approvals as required.
• Ensure labeling, documentation quality, and traceability meet project expectations.
• Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) Leadership (Primary): Plan and lead FAT for supplied packages (MCC, VFD, RVSS, RTU, and integration with instrumentation as applicable)
• Define FAT scope, acceptance criteria, and “ready for test” gates.
• Coordinate test equipment, configurations, simulated signals, and comms checks.
• Ensure safety controls are in place during testing (LOTO boundaries, barricades, PPE requirements).
• Facilitate customer witness testing; manage punch lists and retest requirements.
• Produce complete FAT documentation: results, deviations, corrective actions, and final acceptance records.
• Ensure all redlines are captured and turned into as-built deliverables as required.
• Quality Assurance & Turnover: Maintain readiness gates: design review, shop release, QA inspection, FAT readiness, FAT closeout, shipment/turnover.
• Drive punch list closure and documentation completeness prior to shipment.
• Support turnover package delivery: as-builts, O&M manuals, certificates, settings/parameter records, and training materials (if in scope).
• Interfaces & Exclusions (Clear Boundaries): No installation: The I&C Project Engineer does not supervise or perform field installation.
• No switchboard startup/energization: The I&C Project Engineer does not perform SWBD startup, energization, or utility/meter connections.
• Provide interface documentation needed by others, but do not execute energization work.

Risk Management Expectations (Required)

• Maintain a living Risk Register for assigned projects (schedule, technical, vendor, testing, safety, and interface risks).
• Identify and mitigate risks specific to control system design and packaged equipment: design risks, long-lead component risks, spec conflicts, FAT readiness risks, vendor deviations.
• Quantify impacts (probability/severity) and implement mitigations.
• Escalate early when risks threaten milestones or compliance.
• Enforce strict change control: no scope creep without documented authorization.

Safety Practices (Applicable to Shop/Test Environment)

• Enforce Stop Work Authority and pre-task briefings for FAT activities.
• Ensure testing is performed under controlled conditions: defined LOTO boundaries, test-before-touch, barricades/signage, proper PPE selection, qualification of personnel.
• Verify safe tool use, housekeeping, cable management, and lifting/handling practices for large equipment.
• Coordinate customer witness safety expectations during FAT.

Qualifications

• 2+ years supporting control system design and delivery for I&C, MCC/VFD/RVSS packages, RTUs/PLCs, or industrial electrical/control systems.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs, one-lines, wiring diagrams, and control schematics.
• Familiarity with RTU/PLC interfaces and basic communications troubleshooting.
• Strong documentation discipline and customer-facing communication skills.

Performance Measures

• Control system designs are complete, buildable, and FAT-ready with minimal rework.
• FATs executed safely, on schedule, with complete documentation and minimal retest cycles.
• Submittals and vendor packages meet specifications with clearly documented deviations.
• Risks identified early and mitigated before impacting shipment/turnover.
• Turnover packages delivered complete and accurate with clean as-builts.

What we offer you

• Paid parental leave
• Parental leave
• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Dental insurance
• Gym membership
• Employee assistance program
• Disability insurance
• 401(k) 6% Match
• Paid holidays
• Wellness program

Sulzer is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the strength of a diverse workforce and are committed to offering an inclusive work environment.

#J-18808-Ljbffr…