Automation, Controls & Instrumentation
Automation, controls, and instrumentation are the central nervous system of modern U.S. industrial operations — bridging field instrumentation, process control logic, and enterprise‑level decisioning. These technologies improve operational performance, reduce manual intervention, increase safety, and enable data‑driven decision making across manufacturing, energy, chemicals, oil & gas, water treatment, and mission‑critical facilities.
From programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and distributed control systems (DCS) to supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and process instrumentation, automation empowers plants to run smarter, safer, and more efficiently. Growing adoption of edge computing, IIoT, advanced analytics, and secure industrial networks is reshaping how industrial systems operate and how companies recruit control system talent.
Industries
Our recruitment footprint spans industries where controls and instrumentation are foundational to performance:
- Manufacturing & Discrete Production: Robotics, PLC logic, HMI, MES integration, and quality automation.
- Oil & Gas and Petrochemical: SCADA, DCS, safety instrumented systems (SIS), and high‑availability control.
- Power & Utilities: Load balancing, turbine control, grid automation, and substation instrumentation.
- Water & Wastewater Treatment: Automated dosing, pump control, and remote monitoring via SCADA.
- Chemical & Pharmaceuticals: Batch control, hazard monitoring, and compliant process automation.
- Food & Beverage: Hygienic control systems, traceability instrumentation, and recipe automation.
Equipment & Systems We Cover
We recruit professionals across the full spectrum of industrial automation, controls, and instrumentation technologies:
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs): Rugged industrial computers controlling machinery, logic, sequencing, and safety interlocks on the factory floor. Distributed Control Systems (DCS): High‑reliability platforms for continuous process industries such as petrochemical, power generation, and refining.
- SCADA Systems: Centralized monitoring and remote control platforms for utilities, pipelines, production lines, and critical infrastructure.
- Human‑Machine Interfaces (HMI): Intuitive operator visualization and control panels enhancing real‑time situational awareness.
- Process Instrumentation: Sensors, transmitters, analyzers, flow meters, pressure and temperature measurement devices, and smart field instruments.
- Industrial Networking & Cybersecurity: Ethernet/IP, ProfiNet, OPC UA, MQTT, and secure OT architectures that link systems while protecting assets.
- Edge & Cloud Integration: IIoT, edge analytics, cloud‑enabled control dashboards, and predictive diagnostics for real‑time optimization.
Roles We Recruit Engineering & Design
Engineering & Design: Automation Managers, Controls & Instrumentation Managers, Engineering Managers – Automation, Operations Directors – Industrial Control Systems, Plant Managers with Automation Oversight
Projects & Commissioning: Project Managers (Automation & Controls), Commissioning Engineers, Field Engineers – Instrumentation & Controls, Start-up Technicians, Control Systems Integrators
Operations & Maintenance: Automation Technicians, PLC Technicians/Programmers, Instrumentation Technicians, SCADA Technicians, Maintenance Supervisors – Controls & Instrumentation, Reliability Engineers
Commercial & Sales: Technical Sales Engineers, Automation Solution Specialists, Product/Application Specialists, Account Managers – Industrial Controls, SCADA/PLC Product Specialists
Health, Safety & Quality: HSE Advisors – Instrumentation & Controls, Quality Engineers – Automation Systems, Calibration & Testing Specialists, Compliance Officers – Control Systems
Leadership & Executive: Automation Managers, Controls & Instrumentation Managers, Engineering Managers – Automation, Operations Directors – Industrial Control Systems, Plant Managers with Automation Oversight
Market Dynamics & Growth Outlook
The U.S. industrial automation, controls, and instrumentation market remains robust and is projected to continue upward growth through the end of the decade:
- Healthy Market Expansion: The U.S. industrial automation and control systems sector is projected to grow strongly, with control segments like DCS and SCADA showing robust adoption across key industries.
- SCADA & Real‑Time Monitoring Growth: SCADA systems — foundational for remote operations, data collection, and centralized control — are among the fastest‑growing segments as facilities pursue Industry 4.0 capabilities.
- Manufacturing & Digitalisation: Nearly all discrete and process manufacturers are integrating PLCs, DCS, or SCADA with advanced analytics and IoT to drive efficiency, quality, and predictive maintenance.
- Legacy Modernisation: Upgrades, brownfield retrofits, and cybersecurity enhancements are fueling demand for senior controls talent capable of bridging old and
Skills & Competencies
Automation, controls, and instrumentation talent spans both deep technical functions and cross‑disciplinary skill sets, including:
- Controls & Automation Engineers: PLC/DCS/SCADA design, integration, and optimization.
- Instrumentation & Calibration Specialists: Field device selection, calibration, loop tuning, and sensor diagnostics.
- Systems Integrators: Solution architects and integrators aligning control systems with enterprise platforms.
- Automation Project Managers: Delivery leadership for greenfield automation and brownfield upgrades.
- Cybersecurity for OT/ICS: Securing industrial control networks against emerging threats.
- Maintenance & Commissioning Technicians: Field commissioning, testing, and lifecycle support of control systems.
- Technical Sales & Applications Experts: Vendor‑aligned controls specialists supporting pre‑ and post‑sales technical engagements, Technical sales, project management, and operations leadership
Why Industrial Recruitment Group?
At Industrial Recruitment Group, we bring deep market insight into the U.S. automation, controls, and instrumentation sector. We understand the evolving technology landscape — from PLC programming, DCS configuration, SCADA visualization, and field instrumentation to advanced analytics and cybersecurity integration. Our expertise allows us to source professionals with precise functional experience and systems knowledge, ensuring our clients can accelerate digital transformation, enhance operational performance, and build resilient automation teams that meet both current and future demands.