What are the responsibilities and job description for the Instrumentation Designer position at Hargrove Engineers & Constructors?
Lead Instrumentation Designer
Location: Kingsport, TN (Onsite Required)
This position is based onsite in Kingsport, TN and requires a regular on‑site presence.
What You’ll Be Doing
As a Lead Instrumentation Designer, you will provide technical leadership and design expertise for industrial projects, overseeing the delivery of electrical and instrumentation design packages from concept through construction and commissioning. This role includes supervising designers, coordinating with engineering and plant stakeholders, and ensuring deliverables meet scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations.
You’ll work with minimal supervision and serve as a technical specialist on complex design assignments, utilizing project controls to manage cost, schedule, and quality.
Key Responsibilities
Education
Electrical & Power Systems
We work to create an environment founded on trust, personal integrity, and a “team mentality” so that each person understands the value of their contributions both on a project and company-wide level. We know that each person on our team contributes to the success of our company by pairing expertise and passion to meet and exceed the needs of the clients we serve across the globe.
Our safety culture protects and promotes the well-being of every person who works with us and every person touched by our work.
As a 100% Teammate owned company, we proudly offer a comprehensive benefits package including, paid holidays, personal paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible Teammates.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Hargrove is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, sexual identity, marital or family status), disability, military service or obligations, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Hargrove is a drug-free workplace.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
Location: Kingsport, TN (Onsite Required)
This position is based onsite in Kingsport, TN and requires a regular on‑site presence.
What You’ll Be Doing
As a Lead Instrumentation Designer, you will provide technical leadership and design expertise for industrial projects, overseeing the delivery of electrical and instrumentation design packages from concept through construction and commissioning. This role includes supervising designers, coordinating with engineering and plant stakeholders, and ensuring deliverables meet scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations.
You’ll work with minimal supervision and serve as a technical specialist on complex design assignments, utilizing project controls to manage cost, schedule, and quality.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and communicate project scope, specifications, and design criteria upon project assignment
- Participate in project planning and development meetings
- Lead and coordinate the work of design staff to meet scope, schedule, and budget objectives
- Collaborate with plant personnel and Capital Engineering SMEs from estimating through all design phases
- Produce electrical and instrumentation bid and construction packages with engineering review and approval
- Develop construction quantities, cost estimates, schedules, and man-hour budgets
- Coordinate closely with the Project Manager and other project team members
- Perform field verification, redlining, and updating of existing drawings
- Review and check designs prepared by others or external resources for accuracy, code compliance, and adherence to engineering standards
- Provide on-site support during construction, commissioning, and start-up
- Troubleshoot instrumentation and electrical issues in the field
- Remain teachable, adaptable, and open to learning new skills
Education
- Associate degree in Engineering Technology or Computer-Aided Drafting (required)
- 5 years of progressive industrial experience in electrical and instrumentation drafting and design
- Certification not required for this role
Electrical & Power Systems
- Working knowledge of the current National Electrical Code (NEC)
- Ability to perform lighting level, voltage drop, and short-circuit calculations
- Size wire, conduit, cable tray, and overcurrent protection for lighting and power systems
- Determine conduit and tray routing, fill, MCC loading, and unit substation loading
- Develop specifications for 480VAC and 15kV/5kV equipment, including MCCs, VFDs, motors, switchgear, and substations
- Familiarity with above- and below-ground medium-voltage (15kV) power system design and installation
- Create accurate electrical installation drawings based on vendor documentation
- Develop electrical installation specifications with engineering review and approval
- Determine construction material quantities and develop cost estimates
- Understand inter‑discipline workflows, deliverable sequencing, and schedule constraints
- Forecast hours, develop staffing plans, and track progress against budgets
- Coordinate with process engineering to optimize layouts and space utilization
- Apply company engineering standards and CAD drafting procedures
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
- Proficient in 2D AutoCAD and MicroStation; 3D AutoCAD is a plus
- Programming or configuration experience with PLC, HMI, and/or DCS systems is desirable
- Ability to lead a small team and deliver on commitments
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Capable of supporting virtual and cross‑office project teams with minimal supervision
- Comfortable delivering presentations on Hargrove Engineers & Constructors’ services
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time
We work to create an environment founded on trust, personal integrity, and a “team mentality” so that each person understands the value of their contributions both on a project and company-wide level. We know that each person on our team contributes to the success of our company by pairing expertise and passion to meet and exceed the needs of the clients we serve across the globe.
Our safety culture protects and promotes the well-being of every person who works with us and every person touched by our work.
As a 100% Teammate owned company, we proudly offer a comprehensive benefits package including, paid holidays, personal paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible Teammates.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Hargrove is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, sexual identity, marital or family status), disability, military service or obligations, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Hargrove is a drug-free workplace.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.