Instrumentation & Electrical Engineer - Desalination
TETRA Technologies Careers
You will be taken to the employer's application page. Listing expires September 5, 2026.
Job Description
Summary TETRA Technologies, Inc. is a global organization whose foundation and strength comes from the drive and dedication of our team members. We value equal employment opportunity to stimulate creativity and innovation in our workforce as we use our collective talents to develop unique solutions to address the world's energy challenges. Founded in 1981, TETRA ( NYSE: TTI ) is an energy services and solutions company focused on developing environmentally conscious services and solutions that help make people's lives better. With operations on six continents, the Company's portfolio consists of Energy Services, Industrial Chemicals, and Critical Minerals. In addition to providing products and services to the oil and gas industry and calcium chloride for diverse applications, TETRA is expanding into the low-carbon energy market with chemistry expertise, key mineral acreage, and global infrastructure, helping to meet the demand for sustainable energy in the twenty-first century. Visit the Company's website at www.onetetra.com for more information or connect with us on LinkedIn.
Essential Duties
- Design, select, and specify instrumentation such as sensors, analyzers, PLCs, and control valves.
- Develop and maintain engineering documents including P&IDs, loop diagrams, I/O lists, and electrical schematics.
- Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLC, SCADA, and HMI control systems.
- Perform calibration, testing, and verification of field instrumentation to ensure accurate measurement and control.
- Support installation, commissioning, and startup of I&E equipment and control systems.
- Troubleshoot electrical systems including motors, MCCs, VFDs, switchgear, and power distribution equipment.
- Ensure compliance with NEC, NFPA, ISA, OSHA, and internal electrical safety standards.
- Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for recurring I&E issues.
- Develop and support preventive and predictive maintenance programs for critical I&E assets.
- Prepare scopes of work, cost estimates, and technical documentation for I&E-related projects.
- Oversee contractor and vendor activities for electrical and instrumentation installations or upgrades.
- Collaborate with operations, process engineering, maintenance, and HSEQ teams to support facility performance.
- Participate in hazard reviews, MOC processes, and job safety analyses for I&E tasks.
- Develop, maintain, and update as-built drawings, wiring diagrams, and control system backups.
- Provide technical training, guidance, and troubleshooting support to operators, electricians, and field technicians.
Requirements
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Engineering required
EXPERIENCE: 5 -7 years of experience, in Instrumentation & Electrical engineering in industrial environments. Direct experience in oil & gas, chemical plants, water treatment/recycling facilities, or similar process industries
TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE:
- PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems
- Field instrumentation (pressure, flow, temperature, level sensors)
- Electrical distribution systems (motors, MCCs, VFDs, switchgear)
- Calibration, loop checks, and commissioning activities
TRAVEL: 20%
OTHER: Submit to and satisfactorily complete pre-employment background, medical, alcohol, and drug screening Must possess a valid Driver's License
Work Environment
The requirements are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. While performing the duties of any field-based position, an employee may be exposed to various outside weather conditions including but not limited to rain, humidity, snow, and/or heat during daytime hours and/or nighttime hours. The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate to loud for extended periods of time.
What Most Electricians Job Listings Don't Tell You
General overview for this role type; specifics vary by employer.
Electrical work in Texas is licensed by the state. You begin as a registered apprentice, accumulate thousands of paid hours under a licensed electrician, and pass an exam to reach journeyman, then master. A posting that says electrician may want a specific tier, so check which license the role expects. Pay is hourly and climbs sharply with each license step. Service and low-voltage specialties sometimes add performance pay on top.
The work splits into residential, commercial, and industrial, and each feels different. Residential service means troubleshooting panels, outlets, and fixtures in occupied homes. Commercial and new construction lean on conduit bending, blueprint reading, and rough-in on a schedule. Safety is constant. You lock out circuits, test before you touch, and follow code to the letter because inspectors check the work. Demand in the Houston metro stays strong with new building, solar tie-ins, and EV charger installs, so skilled hands rarely sit idle.
What to Expect Day-to-Day
General overview for this role type; specifics vary by employer.
Most days open with a job packet or a service route. You review the scope, pull materials, and set up a safe work area. Service electricians spend the day diagnosing dead circuits, replacing breakers, adding outlets, and correcting wiring that failed an inspection. You test voltage, trace faults, and confirm every connection is tight and grounded.
On new construction the rhythm is different. You bend and run conduit, pull wire, mount boxes, and set panels to the plan. Rough-in has to pass inspection before walls close, so accuracy and code knowledge matter more than speed. You coordinate with other trades sharing the site and keep your runs clean. Documentation closes out the day. You mark panels, note circuits, and record what was installed. The job mixes physical work, careful measurement, and steady problem solving, and a single miss can mean a failed inspection or a callback.
What Electricians Jobs Pay in Houston
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area (Electricians).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area. Median is about $28.45/hr.
Becoming a Licensed Electrician in Texas
Electrical work is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. You start as a registered apprentice and log thousands of paid hours under a licensed electrician. With enough documented hours you test for journeyman, and after more experience you sit for the master electrician exam. A master can hold or serve as the responsible party for a contractor license. Specialties like low-voltage and sign electrician have their own licenses. Every step ties to hours and a passing exam, so track your time from day one.
Career Ladder and Pay
- 1 Apprentice Electrician $47,237/yr
Register with the state and log paid hours under a licensed electrician.
- 2 Journeyman Electrician $59,176/yr
Pass the exam and wire installs and service with limited supervision.
- 3 Master Electrician $73,715/yr
Top tier. Design systems, pull permits, and oversee journeymen.
- 4 Estimator / Foreman $73,715/yr
Bid projects and lead crews on commercial and industrial jobs.
- 5 Electrical Contractor $84,469/yr
Hold the contractor license and run your own electrical business.
Licensing paths and timelines are general guidance for this trade in Texas. Confirm current requirements with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or the relevant state agency.
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