27 Oct 2021

Job And Career Opportunities For Instrumentation Engineers

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Job And Career Opportunities For Instrumentation Engineers


Instrumentation Engineering is considered one of the oldest and prominent branches of engineers. These graduates monitor and control machinery. Instrumentation engineering degree holders work in industries and improve productivity, reliability, safety, optimization, and stability. These industries should have automated processes that help in improving the above qualities. The candidates studying instrumentation engineering learn about adding sensors to the systems which have recorders, transmitters, displays, or control systems. They also have to look into the correct calibration of these instruments, if they are working correctly, therefore, testing them and also maintaining these instruments for future use.
As an instrumentation engineer, you will work closely with colleagues across different functions like operations, purchasing, design, etc. The job of instrumentation engineer involves managing operations, designing and developing new control systems, analysing data and presenting findings in written reports, test, maintenance, and modifying systems, purchasing or sales of equipment, and working with design engineers, operation engineers, and other internal staff.
India being a progressing nation, Instrumentation engineering jobs will always be in high demand. The nation today relies on the expertise and talent of brilliant Instrumentation Engineers. 

Scope Of Instrumentation Engineering
Instrumentation has a wide variety of scope nationally and internationally and they also have an edge over the normal IT engineers. IN graduates can work in some of the most exceptional industries like oil and gas, petrochemical industries, and automobile. They can play a variety of roles can such as maintenance engineer, reliability engineer, and project engineer, etc. Thus, the chances of getting recruited at a top spot and good firm in India, else fly overseas for training, or working in foreign units is quite high for IN engineers. 
Some of the companies that require Instrumentation engineering graduates are Indian Oil Corporation, HPCL, Reliance Industries Limited, and ONGC among many others. You may also enter the process automation industry where it manufactures the necessary hardware. Another option for the IN engineers is the design and engineering company. Candidates can design voltmeters, power meters, weighing machines, and air conditioners, among others. In health care, sector IN engineers is required in designing instruments like ECG, EEG, MRI, XRAY, and FMG. Robotics and Machine learning has also increased the opportunity for IN engineers and is required at small scale as well as large scale industries.
As far as overseas is concerned, there is a huge scope of instrumentation engineering abroad. You can be hired in various industries like petroleum, oil rigs, mountain and hilly or cold regions, different chemical factories, steel manufacturing factories, and companies involving PLC and DSC. 
Some companies constantly in search of brilliant instrumentation engineers include Honeywells, Siemens, Robert Bosch, Suzlon, and more. Middle Eastern Cities like Dubai, Qatar, and other countries where there are Refineries, Oil and Gas sectors are always on the hunt for excellent IN engineers. The best countries to go abroad are the European countries, the USA and Canada since they offer great growth opportunities for these engineers. Thus, you could see the Instrumentation engineering scope and the job opportunities that come in your way.
A qualified Instrumentation engineer has the option to choose his or her work in fields like automation, Railways and construction, MNCs, Manufacturing, Packaging, Machinery, and control systems. The average Instrumentation and control engineering salary in India for fresher graduates is INR 6-7 lakh and above.
Firstly, you can apply for M. Tech programs that will eventually lead you to better job opportunities, Higher pay packages, Subject specialization, and a Handsome stipend.  Secondly, one of the most exciting job opportunities for instrumentation engineering would be, various PSUs in India hire Instrumentation engineers through the GATE examination. With a conducive work environment, good pay & incentives, and other amenities, PSU provides a promising future for individuals. Some of the top PSUs in India that hire through GATE include: BHEL, HPCL, DRDO, NPCIL, SAIL, BARC, Powergrid, and more.

Job Opportunities For Instrumentation Engineering: Government Sector
Getting a job in the government sector assures stability, a good salary, and most importantly job security. Indian Engineering Services is one of the sought-after fields as it provides nearly equal benefits as offered to IAS officers and Instrumentation Servants. Government jobs for instrumentation engineers offer salaries in the range anywhere between INR 45000 to INR 50000 per annum. Isn’t it great? Apply now!
Besides, PSUs are one of the best options to secure your life and career. Top PSUs like HPCL, GAIL, Powergrid, OIL India, SAIL, etc. hire Instrumentation engineers to meet their requirements in various locations across the nation. While most PSUs select candidates basis on the GATE scores, there are certain PSUs that have a direct selection process. GATE 2022 exam will be conducted by IIT, Kharagpur. For complete details, you can – click here
Some fields that offer jobs to Instrumentation engineers include: Municipal Corporations, Metro Rail, National Highway Authority of India, Indian Oil Corporation, Delhi State Industrial Development Corporation, Public Works Department, Central Public Works Department, Border Roads Organization, Military Engineering Services, Airport Authority of India, Indian Air Force, Railways, National Hydro-electric Power Corporation, National Thermal Power Corporation, Defence Research and Development Organisation, and the list are endless.

Job Opportunities For Instrumentation Engineering: Private Sector
In the private sector too, Instrumentation engineers are in high demand. A skilled Instrumentation engineer with sound knowledge of operations and machinery controls is in great demand in private sectors. The average salary for Instrumentation engineers in the private sector ranges from INR 3,00,000 to INR 4,00,000. Some top companies willing to recruit Instrumentation engineers include: Tata Motors, Reliance Infrastructure, Shapoorji Pallonji, Gammon India, and more. For a complete list stay tuned to our blog ahead.
Thus, Instrumentation engineers play a pivotal role in building and shaping the nation as well as its economy. An Instrumentation engineer will always have an upper edge over the forms of engineers due to the progressive nature of the country. Besides, they can also start their own ventures of consultation or construction after gaining a few years of professional experience.  

Eligibility To Be An Instrumentation Engineer

  • Candidates should have passed 10+2 from a recognized institution with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) as major subjects

  • A minimum of 60% in 10+2 or equivalent is compulsory (relaxation for different categories like SC/ST/PwD from college to college) to take admission in undergraduate and diploma courses of Instrumentation engineering

  • Admission into Instrumentation engineering will be done on entrance exams like JEE Main or JEE Advanced 

  • Besides, states or private colleges have their own entrance exams for BTech in Instrumentation such as MHTCET, WBJEE, KCET. Deemed university and private universities conduct their own engineering entrance exams like VITEE, BITSAT. 

  • For admission in M. Tech in Instrumentation Engineering courses, candidates should have a passing certificate of graduation level with a minimum aggregate of 50% in the required field

In-Demand Job Roles for Instrumentation Engineer
Instrumentation engineering is untapped and highly potential engineering branches in India, since, only multi-talented and brilliant individuals get through the degree. In fact, the more funnel out better is the job opportunities for individuals. Candidates who hold a degree in instrumentation engineering are offered some great job opportunities and packages in the Electrical, Mechanical, and Electronics sector. Also, an instrumentation engineer can work within or outside the industry. 
There are various instrumentation engineer job profiles and can succeed in his or her career by acquiring specialist knowledge of a particular industry sector and/or having strong instrumentation knowledge. Depending on the qualification, one can also work as an incorporated engineer or chartered engineering.

Some sectors That Required IN Engineers:

  • Corporate business

  • Public Sector companies

  • Manufacturing & Construction

  • Consultancies

  • Pharmaceutical

  • Automation

  • Railways and Construction

  • MNCs

  • IT

  • General Management

  • Finance

  • Oil & GATE And Petrochemical Industries

  • Chemical Factories

  • Purchasing & Sales

  • Marketing 

Hope you now got an idea of some of the most promising jobs for Instrumentation engineers and wish to be one through rigorous academic studies.
Instrumentation Engineering Salary In India
The salary of an Instrumentation Engineer is based on his or her educational background, skillsets, and experience that one has in the relative field. The salary scale will vary as per the exposure and opportunity, experience candidates will get and have. Mention below is the salary for Instrumentation Engineer.

Post Name

Entry Level

Mid-Level

Experienced Level

Instrumentation Engineer

₹210000

₹390000

₹925,000

What Are The Skills Required For Instrumentation Engineering Jobs?
To be a brilliant Instrumentation engineer, few skills you need to have in your arsenal would be: Technical skills, Project Management, Critical Thinking, Communication Skills, and a Creative approach. In order to achieve life goals few desirable qualities you must possess: 

  • Leadership Skills

  • Negotiating Skills

  • Eye For Detail

  • Time Management Skills 

  • Team Player

  • Innovative Thinker

  • Solution Provider

  • Passion To Learn & Share Knowledge 

Books & Study Material To Become Instrumentation Engineer
If you're planning to get admissions in good and reputed institutions to study Instrumentation engineering, you will definitely have to strive hard to score excellent marks in the entrance exam. Some of the popular entrance exams are JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, WBJEE, etc. 
Once you crack the exam and secure admission in a top-tier college/university, it will open doors to the number of career options after B Tech Instrumentation engineering. It will provide you with an excellent Instrumentation engineering scope; however, to crack the semesters and topping the chart is only possible if you have the best study resources available in your arsenal. Study material such as books or online lectures, model papers, previous year question papers, mock test series will prove extremely beneficial during your academic preparation.
To be an instrumentation engineer, one needs to have project-management and team-building skills to coordinate complex projects, computer skills for transforming concepts in plans and actions. Documentation, presentation, and communication are a few other skills required for discussing the trends and techniques with seniors, staff, or clients. Practical hands-on experience will be key to a career as an instrumentation engineer.

Ekeeda - India's leading tech educational platform that provides video lectures designed by industry experts with the latest syllabus and trends. Other than this, you will get access to a host of facilities such as PDF notes, mock tests, model papers, and live sessions to clear your doubts then and there. We believe in providing access to the best study resources at pocket-friendly prices. Thus, with round the year deals and discounts you can crack a great deal and ace up your academic preparation.
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Pros Of Instrumentation Engineer Jobs

  • Excellent Pay - Skilled & Qualified IN engineers will enjoy decent salary packages. The college or university ranking will play an integral role in determining the salary your draw. 

  • Job Opportunities - It’s is a core and rare engineering branch and thus, there won’t be any dearth of job opportunities for individuals. You can find Instrumentation engineering job opportunities in abundance especially in electrical, mechanical and electronics segment.

  • Opportunity To Fly Abroad - Based on your project requirements such as site handling, training, supervision, etc. you get a chance to visit other countries. The pay package is also much better than in India.

  • Government jobs for Instrumentation engineers - You will have access to a wide range of government job postings. Defense & Research, Indian Railway, PWD, NHAI, Housing boards, etc. are few avenues to grab career opportunities for Instrumentation engineers.

  • Multiple Job Roles - Some of the Instrumentation engineering jobs include – project engineers, supervisors, field officers, design specialists, research candidates, etc.

  • Technical Expertise & Creativity - You can showcase your technical creativity, solution provider, and expertise in the field. You will love challenges and overcome them to see things forming outright from scratch under your supervision.

  • No Small Cubicle Jobs - If you’re a creative person, you won’t love working in cubicles and Instrumentation engineering provides site work. It takes you to different locations like hilly areas, dams, highways, rivers, seas, villages, forests, etc.

Cons Of Instrumentation Engineer Jobs

  • Length Working Hours - Due to project testing, site handling, and meeting deadlines, often Instrumentation engineers have to work for long and tough working hours. They have long shifts to see through the projects. 

  • Site Hazards - Often projects involve heavy machinery, transportation, sharp tools, pollution, fire & work accidents which act as a hazard to engineer’s health and life. 

  • Remote locations - Although, working outdoor is fun; however, not every time. You may work in some remote or hostile areas. It may cause depression, health issues, and much more. 

  • Work pressure - Since IN engineer need lot of hard work in planning, calculation, and efforts there is added pressure on them. Need eye for detail and meet demands if the structure is for high profile client, political or business tycoon. Thus, increased liability often leads to pressure for engineers

  • Other problems -  Political interference, protests from locals (near or at the site), corruption, legal disputes, vandalism, terror attacks (In hilly areas), labour disputes are some common problems associated with your jobs.

Top Recruitment Companies For Instrumentation Engineers
A large number of players are available to hire Instrumentation engineers in the private sector and public sector organizations. Here is the list of instrumentation companies in India that should be on your watchlist:

  • L & T 

  • GAIL

  • ABB 

  • Siemens

  • Texas Instruments

  • Gammon India

  • NTPC

  • TATA Consulting Engineers Ltd

  • Fluor Daniel

  • Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd

  • Foster Wheeler

  • SAIL

  • Robert Bosch

  • GE 

  • Suzlon

  • Apna Technologies

  • Whirlybird

  • ONGC

  • BHEL

Ekeeda wishes you all the very best for your academic studies. Hope you propel as a brilliant Instrumentation engineer of the nation.
Good Luck!

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