Instrumentation Engineering Technologist

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Mechanical Engineering Technologists (2232.1);  Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists (2241.1) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians (C132);  Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians (C141) 
• 2011 NOC: Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (2232);  Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (2241) 

Pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer instruments are used to measure and control pressure, flow, temperature, level, chemical composition and other variables in industrial processes. Instruments range in complexity from simple mechanical float level controls to complex computer based systems.

Duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another in this emerging occupation. Instrumentation engineering technologists may:

• work in engineering offices with engineers and others to design, specify, size and select measurement and control systems
• recommend and implement modifications to improve measurement and control systems
• program and configure microprocessor based measurement and control systems
• work for vendors in technical sales and service roles (for more information, see the Technical Sales Representative occupational profile) .

Those who install, operate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer based equipment in industrial plant and field environments may be required to be certified instrument technicians (see below).

Instrumentation engineering technologists may be employed in design, maintenance or construction environments. Those in design work primarily indoors. Those in maintenance and construction may work outdoors at processing facilities or construction sites. Safety precautions must be observed to avoid injury in construction and processing environments.

Instrumentation engineering technologists may work standard weekday hours or shifts. They may be on call or required to work overtime to meet project deadlines or troubleshoot problems.

Instrumentation engineering technologists need the following characteristics:

• an interest in and aptitude for math, chemistry and physics
• the ability to visualize three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings
• persistence
• good communication skills
• the interpersonal skills required to work in a team environment.

They should enjoy doing precise work, obtaining and analyzing test results, finding innovative solutions to problems and taking a methodical approach to their work.

Instrumentation engineering technologists are employed by:

• engineering firms
• oil, gas and petrochemical companies
• power, gas and water utilities 
• pulp and paper mills
• food processors
• chemical plants
• mining companies
• meter and controls design and sales companies.

Experienced technologists may advance to supervisory or managerial positions, or become self-employed consultants.

In Alberta, instrumentation engineering technologists are part of two larger 2011 National Occupational Classifications:  2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians and National Occupational Classification 2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians.

77% of people employed in the Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians classification work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
• Manufacturing (PDF)
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (PDF)
• Construction (PDF)

75% of people employed in the Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians classification work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
• Manufacturing (PDF)
• Construction (PDF)
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (PDF)
• Utilities (PDF)
• Information, Culture and Recreation (PDF)
• Public Administration (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 5,900 Albertans are employed in the Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.3% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 77 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As instrumentation engineering technologists form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for instrumentation engineering technologists.  

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: www.tradesecrets.org

Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta - ASET website: www.aset.ab.ca

The International Society of Automation (ISA) website: www.isa.org

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.