Instrumentation engineering technologists apply their knowledge of pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer measurement and control systems in business, engineering and industry settings.

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.

The minimum educational requirement for instrumentation engineering technologists is a related two year engineering technology diploma.

In Alberta, the following post-secondary institutions offer Instrumentation Engineering Technology diploma programs:

• The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton. Required courses include English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, Pure Math 30 (or Transitional Mathematics 101 or at least 65 per cent in Algebra 35) and one of the following: Physics 30, Chemistry 30 or Science 30. A career investigation report also is required.
• The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent with at least 55 per cent in English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, Pure Math 30, Physics 20 and Chemistry 20 (or Science 30).

For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

Continuing education programs may be offered on an as needed basis.

Instrumentation engineering technologists who wish to become certified instrument technicians must complete the Instrument Technician apprenticeship program. NAIT and SAIT program graduates qualify for 600 hours of work experience credit toward the first and second periods of apprenticeship, and may challenge third and fourth period exams and an interprovincial Red Seal exam. Further work experience is required to complete the apprenticeship program. For more information, see the Instrument Technician occupational profile.

Certification with the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta - ASET is voluntary. Certified Engineering Technologists often practice in integrated work teams. Professional Technologists (Engineering) are licensed by ASET to practice independently.

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 National Occupational Classifications:  2232 Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians and National Occupational Classification 2241 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians.

79 per cent of people employed in the Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians classification work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Utilities.

79 per cent of people employed in the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians classification work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
• Manufacturing
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Utilities
• Construction
• Wholesale Trade
• Information, Culture and Recreation.

The employment outlook in these occupational groups 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.

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

Salaries for instrumentation engineering technologists vary considerably.

According to the 2009 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans working part-time or full-time in the:

• Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians group earned from $18.00 to $67.15 an hour. The average wage was $34.73 an hour.
• Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupational group earned from $15.00 to $87.95 an hour. The average wage was $37.55 an hour.

For more detailed information see ASET's Annual Salary Surveys.

Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above)

EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo

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