Alternate Career Options

Nature of Work

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

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Alternate Career Options

Mechanical Engineer

A mechanical engineer develops thermal and mechanical solutions to problems using the principles of engineering. Mechanical engineers use computer-aided design programs to come up with prototypes and test them. Mechanical engineers can work in a variety of fields and on a wide array of machines, from engines and turbines to conveyor belt systems to refrigeration systems. This career requires a bachelor's degree, and an advanced degree may be required for research jobs; mechanical engineers who work with the public are required to hold a professional engineering license, which requires a minimum of education, work experience, and testing. Mechanical engineers can also earn professional certification. The BLS predicts that employment of mechanical engineers will increase 5% from 2012-2022. The BLS also reports that mechanical engineers earned median pay of $80,580 in 2012; the states that employed the greatest number of mechanical engineers were Michigan, California, Texas, Illinois, and Ohio.

Electronics Engineer

Electronics engineers design, develop, test, and modify electrical components used across industries and for a variety of applications in fields like navigation, broadcasting, and satellite technology. A bachelor's degree in electronics engineering is required for employment. Earning a professional engineering license, which requires a combination of education, experience, and testing, can improve job prospects; licensing requirements are uncommon but vary. Electronics engineers can expect job growth of 3% from 2012-2022, per the BLS. The median pay for this job was $91,820 in 2012; the states where the greatest numbers of electronic engineers worked were California, Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, and Maryland.