Ecolab

Instrumentation & Automation Engineer

Ecolab$135K — $203K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field, or high school diploma with 10+ years in electrical or controls engineering.
  • 2+ years in an industrial manufacturing or process plant environment, especially chemical, refining, or water treatment.
  • 2+ years of PLC and HMI programming and troubleshooting experience.

Responsibilities

  • Provide engineering support for equipment operations, including installation, troubleshooting, and repair.
  • Apply digital technologies to enhance efficiency in chemical manufacturing and water treatment processes.
  • Ensure reliability of instrumentation for monitoring and treatment processes in refineries and petrochemical sectors.
  • Incorporate PLC and HMI programming enhancements to improve process reliability and reduce costs.
  • Troubleshoot networking and SCADA issues within plant automation systems.
  • Support equipment data connectivity and integration with customer DCS systems.
  • Create and maintain documentation for control systems and standard operating procedures.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive and market-competitive benefits for associates and their families, including health and wellness programs.
  • Opportunities for career development and professional growth within a global company.
  • Support for work-life balance through remote work options and flexible schedules.
Full Job Description

This role is responsible for implementing, maintaining, and enhancing instrumentation, control, and automation systems used in industrial facilities such as oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, manufacturing, and water treatment to ensure plants operate safely, efficiently, and reliably.

This is an important technical role that responsible for implementing, maintaining, and enhancing instrumentation, control, and automation systems such as Ecolab's proprietary programs of 3D TRASAR, HX IQ, TLM IQ, and other Digital Premium Services in Downstream business that would generate $42MM digital revenue in 2026. The role will also support the digital adoption, utilization, installation and troubleshooting of our automation at site.

Typical responsibilities

  • Provide engineering and technical support for Nalco Water’s process and water treatment equipment operations and projects, including installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, calibration, rebuilding, and repair of electrical equipment and automated dosing systems such as 3D TRASAR™ and ECOLAB Heat Exchanger IQTM control platforms, using digital multimeters and other electrical diagnostic tools.
  • Apply digital technologies, including ECOLAB3D™ connected sensors such as 3D TRASAR™ for cooling water, boilers, and process applications, to improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance the efficiency of chemical manufacturing and water and process treatment operations.
  • Ensure maximum reliability of sensors and instrumentation used for monitoring, chemical feed, blending, treatment processes, procedures, and automation equipment supporting downstream refinery and petrochemical customers.
  • Incorporate PLC and HMI programming enhancements into chemical production and water treatment automation systems to improve process reliability, reduce electrical energy costs, minimize cycle time, and increase throughput for Nalco Water’s downstream chemical product lines.
  • Troubleshoot networking, server, and SCADA issues across plant automation systems, including connectivity to ECOLAB3D™ cloud platforms, remote monitoring services, and the Ecolab Global Intelligence Center (EGIC) for 24/7 operational support.
  • Support implementation of Nalco Water equipment data connectivity, including 3D TRASAR and related platforms, to customer DCS systems for data visualization and actionable insights.
  • Create and maintain current documentation, including operating manuals for process control systems, automation equipment, digital platform configurations, and standard operating procedures aligned with Nalco Water and Ecolab design standards.
  • Build cross-functional collaboration among manufacturing, R&D, marketing, sales, supply chain, field engineering, and customer-facing teams to achieve project goals in safety, production, equipment quality, and customer satisfaction—core tenets of Nalco Water’s downstream service model.
  • Work closely with internal digital teams to develop PLC logic programming and HMI operator interfaces for chemical blending equipment, 3D TRASAR™ controllers, automated dosing skids, and other process automation platforms.
  • Work closely with site teams on continuous improvement projects (TVD) in refining, chemical manufacturing, and water treatment automation through the design, selection, and installation of new process equipment, control systems, and digital monitoring solutions.
  • Work closely with RDE to design and specify machine and gauge control systems, HMI systems, and data collection systems according to Ecolab and Nalco Water design standards, including integration with ECOLAB3D™ digital platforms for predictive analytics and prescriptive decision-making.
  • Expected to domestic travel about 50% of the time.

Position Details:

  • Candidates must be located in or near Houston TX
  • 50% of overnight travel required

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline, or a high school diploma with 10+ years of experience in electrical or controls engineering.
  • 2+ years of experience in an industrial manufacturing or process plant environment, preferably in chemical, refining, or water treatment operations.
  • 2+ years of experience in PLC and HMI troubleshooting and programming.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Automation, or Mechatronic Engineering.
    • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering with controls or instrumentation experience.
  • Experience with Rockwell Automation PLCs, including RSLogix 5000 and ControlLogix programming.
  • Networking experience, including familiarity with industrial Ethernet, SCADA, and cloud-connected IoT platforms such as ECOLAB3D™.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills in a deadline-driven, customer-centric environment.
  • Familiarity with arc flash safety requirements, NFPA 70E, IIoT, historians, and digitalization tools.
  • Knowledge of control systems and process automation, including P&IDs, loop diagrams, wiring diagrams, and control narratives.
  • Experience with chemical process automation, water treatment control systems, or midstream and downstream oil and gas operations is a strong plus.

Annual or Hourly Compensation Range

The total Compensation range for this position is $135,400-$203,000 which includes base pay and target incentive based on performance, per plan terms. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws.

Benefits

Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families.  to see our benefits. 

If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here.

About Ecolab

Ecolab provides comprehensive solutions, data-driven insights, and personalized service to customers in the food, healthcare, hospitality, and industrial markets in more than countries to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, optimize water and energy use, and improve operational efficiencies and sustainability.

Ecolab Careers

Join Ecolab's dynamic team today and be part of a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions. At Ecolab, we are committed to advancing technologies and driving innovation that makes the world cleaner, safer, and healthier.

Work You’ll Do

At Ecolab, you will find job opportunities that promise robust growth and development in a culture that fosters leadership, innovation, and diversity. Our team is composed of over 48,000 dedicated professionals who lead the industry in delivering efficient solutions and services to our customers worldwide.

Professional Growth and Development

Embark on a career path that empowers your ambition. Ecolab offers a myriad of career advancement opportunities supported by comprehensive training programs and professional development courses. Our commitment to your growth is paralleled by our dedication to innovation and excellence in every aspect of our business.

Inclusive and Supportive Culture

Ecolab’s culture thrives on teamwork, respect, and diversity. We believe in creating an inclusive environment that values each individual’s unique background and perspectives. Diversity training and leadership programs are integral parts of our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace.

Internship and Employment Opportunities

Whether you're starting your career or looking to make a change, Ecolab offers a range of employment and internship opportunities that can help you harness your skills and achieve your professional goals. Our hiring process is designed to be transparent and engaging, ensuring that all candidates are given the opportunity to showcase their strengths.

Benefits and Networking

Joining Ecolab means more than just employment; it’s an opportunity to be part of a global network of industry leaders and innovators. Our employees enjoy competitive benefits, including health, life, and dental insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. We also encourage our team to connect and collaborate through various professional networking events.

Explore Job Opportunities

Are you ready to make a significant impact? Explore the various positions available at Ecolab, from entry-level roles to executive positions. Tailor your resume and prepare for interviews with our career experts who are here to support you every step of the way.

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Learn more about Ecolab
Size
47,000 employees
Market Cap
$41 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$1.2 billion
Founded
1923
5 Year Trend
-0.6%
Revenue
$11.7 billion
NASDAQ

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