Careers in Instrumentation Engineering

Instrumentation engineering mainly focuses on the design, configuration and automation of systems. The professionals who are involved in these activities are known as instrumentation engineers.

Instrumentation engineers generally work in industries with automated processes, such as chemical or manufacturing plants with the goal of improving system productivity, reliability and stability. They are mainly responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of instruments and entire instrumentation systems. Instrumentation engineers also decide the type of instruments required for ensuring better quality and efficiency of the end product. Hence they are considered to be essential positions in the industrial manufacturing sector.

Eligibility

The basic eligibility criteria is 10+2 (with Physics, Chemistry and Maths). There are many BE/BTech program in Instrumentation engineering of four years duration. The selection is generally made on the basis of entrance tests (e.g. IITJEE, AIEEE, BITSAT etc.) conducted at both national and state level.  

One can also go for Diploma program in Instrumentation engineering after completion of his/her class 10th. In this case he/she will be recognized with the status of a junior engineer.

Career Prospects

Instrumentation engineers can have opportunities in various sectors including R&D units of public and private sector companies, heavy industries such as thermal power stations, refineries, steel plants, cement and fertilizer plants etc. They can also find jobs in companies manufacturing specialized instruments as well as in the user industries themselves, both in public as well as private sectors.

Institutes/Universities

BE/B.Tech course in Instrumentation engineering is offered by almost all engineering colleges/technological universities including the IITs and NITs. Most of the state universities and private B.tech colleges offer instrumentation engineering branch.