Instrumentation and Control Engineer Internship

Ready to power a greener future? Join Octavia Carbon as an Instrumentation & Control Intern and be instrumental in building the Global South’s first Direct Air Capture technology! You’ll design and test critical sensor systems while earning Ksh 47,000 in Nairobi. Use your PLC skills and contribute to real climate solutions. Apply now and power a greener future!

About Octavia Carbon:

Octavia Carbon is the Global South’s first Direct Air Capture (DAC) company dedicated to combating climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. We design and build low-cost DAC technology that leverages Kenya’s geothermal energy, geology, and talent to accelerate DAC down the cost curve radically.

Job Overview

Job Title:  Instrumentation and Control Engineer – Intern
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Gross Salary: Ksh 47,000
Type: Full-time on-site Internship

We’re looking for a detail-oriented Instrumentation & Control (I&C) Intern to contribute to the design, installation, testing, and verification of instrumentation systems for our TRL 6 pilot modules. You will work on sensor networks, PLC I/O integration, signal validation, and system-level documentation all critical to delivering reliable data and enabling high-quality experimentation. For your application to be considered, your resume should accompany the assignment below.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and layout of sensor and instrumentation systems for new and existing pilot modules.
• Lead or assist in the integration and validation of process sensors (e.g., pressure, flow, temperature), ensuring installation aligns with system requirements and best practices.
• Collaborate with process and controls engineers to ensure instrumentation supports safe operation, system observability, and data integrity.
• Write and test PLC programs to implement control logic using Structured Text (ST) or Ladder Logic (LAD) in platforms such as Siemens TIA Portal or equivalent.
• Contribute to PCB prototyping, schematic reviews, and design-for-test considerations using KiCAD or EasyEDA where applicable.

Qualifications

Required:

• BSc in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Automation, or a related field.
• Solid understanding of sensor types, signal standards (e.g., 4–20 mA, RTDs, thermocouples, digital I/O), and their role in process systems.
• Experience writing and debugging PLC programs using Structured Text (ST) and/or Ladder Logic (LAD) in industrial platforms (e.g., Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley, etc.).
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, I/O maps, wiring diagrams, and control specifications.
• Exposure to PCB design workflows or tools (e.g., KiCAD, EasyEDA).
• Strong troubleshooting skills, with the ability to systematically isolate and resolve signal, wiring, or logic issues.

Preferred:

• Deep experience with Siemens PLCs, including diagnostics, hardware selection, and ladder/ST programming.
• Proficiency in KiCAD or EasyEDA for full schematic capture and layout (not just exposure).
• Familiarity with AutoCAD Electrical or similar tools for control panel design and wiring schematics.
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus RTU/TCP, OPC UA, CAN, Profinet).
• Experience with structured control documentation (block diagrams, flow charts, control architecture).