In the high-stakes environments of power generation and water treatment, few roles are more critical, or more misunderstood, than that of the instrumentation engineer. With each sensor reading and diagnostic alert, plant performance and public safety hang in the balance. For Muataz Mohamed, water instrument engineer at TAQA Transmission, this work is not just about systems — it is about solving real-world problems with precision, insight, and integrity.
By Madeline McNabb
With over a decade of hands-on and strategic experience, Mr. Mohamed’s career has spanned the evolution from traditional plant instrumentation to smart diagnostics, remote monitoring, and the edge of industrial IoT. Today, he brings a deeply pragmatic and forward-thinking approach to control and instrumentation engineering in the UAE’s vast water transmission network.
A career built on curiosity and challenge
Graduating in 2012 with a degree in electrical engineering, Mr. Mohamed began his career in a combined-cycle power plant, immersed in the daily rigor of maintaining critical instrumentation across gas and steam turbines.
“In this field, we are often the first responders when there is a plant fault or trip. Every fault is different, and it feels like solving a new puzzle,” he recalls. “The role is exciting, full of challenges and constant learning, and that really keeps me engaged.”
From temperature sensors to turbine supervisory instruments, those early years laid a hands-on foundation that still informs his decisions today. His move to Abu Dhabi marked a shift from maintenance to commissioning and management of multiple control systems and contractors across four regions.
“This experience broadened my exposure beyond operations to include project execution and system validation. I was involved in site inspections, reviewing documents, testing logic functions, and verifying installations.”
Certifications such Certified Automation Professional (CAP) and Professional Engineer (PE-CSE) helped him bridge the gap between hands-on practice and standards-based system design.
Smart sensors, smarter strategies
One of the most prominent threads throughout Mr. Mohamed’s work is his embrace of smart instrumentation. His team recently implemented analyzers with built-in diagnostics connected to the SCADA system via Modbus.
“These analyzers can report a lot of useful data, like when calibration is due, water flow issues, or when consumables need replacing. With smart features, we have been able to shift from time-based preventive maintenance to condition-based maintenance.”
In one case, the team piloted smart chlorine analyzers equipped with diagnostic features. “We were able to remotely detect that the electrolyte was running low,” he recalls. “The technician brought the spare straight to the site — no second trip, no time wasted.”
Another example is the implementation of electromagnetic flowmeters with remote verification capabilities. Previously, verifying these devices required manual testing and field deployment. Now, diagnostics can be initiated remotely, reducing downtime, error risk, and manpower demands.
This shift has not just saved technician hours and fuel; it has allowed Mr. Mohamed’s team to focus their expertise on solving real problems rather than performing unnecessary field visits. And it is emblematic of a broader movement toward intelligence at the edge, where diagnostics, automation, and smart decision making converge.
Calibration and reliability
In facilities with thousands of instruments, calibration can quickly become a logistical nightmare. Mr. Mohamed’s approach is both disciplined and data informed.
“We take a prioritized, risk-based approach. Safety-critical instruments must be calibrated on a strict schedule to ensure they are always reliable. Regulatory instruments must also be calibrated at defined intervals to meet legal and environmental standards. For other field instruments, we monitor their performance and, based on stability and historical trends, we adjust the calibration intervals.”
He emphasizes the growing value of diagnostics and drift detection in expanding these flexible calibration windows without sacrificing reliability. Calibration management systems tie it all together: “With all assets registered in the system, it is easy to create calibration templates built into the software that define the procedure, interval, and historical records. This system keeps everything organized and traceable, and it helps stay compliant with audits and quality checks.”
In one standout example, his team used historical analyzer data to uncover calibration interval differences across regions. “We found that in one region, we do not have to calibrate for three months, while in another, we have to calibrate every month, or every two weeks,” he explains. The variation was traced to differences in water chemistry and stagnant conditions during nighttime pump shutdowns.
Getting grounded
Yet even with cutting-edge instruments and the latest technologies, the basics still matter. Mr. Mohamed has seen firsthand how improper grounding and wiring can introduce catastrophic noise, interfere with signals, and even trigger plant trips.
These issues, while seemingly small, can snowball into major issues. “I once encountered an issue with the electromagnetic flowmeter where incorrect grounding caused fluctuations in the flow signal. Another time, we found the vibration sensor cable shield was not properly grounded, which introduced noise into the signal during turbine commissioning. These experiences reinforced the importance of following strict electrical installation and grounding standards.”
He emphasizes thorough documentation, FAT/SAT testing, and ongoing inspections. “I ensure that all wiring follows proper grounding practices and that cable glands and accessories meet the required specifications for IP ratings and hazardous area classifications. Regular inspections and adherence to manufacturer and industry standards help maintain signal integrity in complex environments like power stations and substations.”
Choosing innovation with purpose
While Mr. Mohamed embraces innovation, his decisions are always application driven. He points to zero-diameter magnetic flowmeters as a powerful example for space-constrained installations.
“We replaced a standard flowmeter on a pump discharge line with a zero-diameter version. This change significantly improved the measurement accuracy and reduced signal fluctuations.”
He is also mindful when balancing cost and capability: “In critical loops, especially those that impact plant safety and availability, it is always better to invest in high-end sensors. For less critical systems, it is possible to select mid-range sensors. It is about assessing the risk and quality and prioritizing accordingly.” Ultimately, it is about selecting the right instrument for the right application.
Mr. Mohamed was sure to share a cautionary tale: a chlorine measurement sensor that met specifications but failed in the field due to high temperatures. The manufacturer collaborated and replaced it with a more suitable version. Even with the most technically advanced instruments, Mr. Mohamed reminds engineers to factor in site-specific stressors like temperature, chemical exposure, and vibration. In every case, real-world conditions are an important consideration not always factored into the data sheets.
Digitalization, IIoT, and what comes next
When it comes to the rise of IIoT and cloud analytics, Mr. Mohamed is realistic but optimistic.
“We are already seeing how smart diagnostics and improved communication are helping reduce travel time, improve troubleshooting, and make better decisions. With more data available from the field and with the support of AI, asset management systems will be able to analyze data, link information from different instruments and control logic, and help identify the root cause of problems.”
One example Mr. Mohamed cites is the move away from manual collection of water quality and flow meter data for hydraulic and water quality models. “This data can now be transmitted directly to asset management systems in real time, allowing for instant updates and faster, more efficient decision making.”
Looking ahead, Mr. Mohamed sees instrumentation evolving into autonomous, decentralized systems. “Instead of everything relying on a central control unit, instruments will be able to measure data, analyze it on their own, and talk to each other to make decisions. We might even move away from traditional hard PLCs and DCSs and start using cloud-based controls.”
Nevertheless, he warns of barriers: legacy systems, reliability, and cybersecurity. “Not all field instruments are smart, and replacing existing devices across large facilities is costly. In addition, control systems often use different communication protocols, and cybersecurity and regulatory requirements add more complexity to the integration process.” Stricter regulatory frameworks and segmented network architectures often limit remote access or wireless connectivity, especially in critical systems. These challenges mean that digitalization is not just a technical shift, but an organizational one, requiring coordination across engineering, IT, operations, and procurement to succeed.
Mentorship, misconceptions, and advice
Beyond his technical work, Mr. Mohamed is active in the ISA UAE section and the ISA Young Professionals Committee, where he helps create learning opportunities for engineers across the region.
“This involvement helps me stay updated through organizing and attending webinars, events, and technical discussions. In addition, events in the UAE like ADIPEC and WETEX are a great way to explore the latest technologies and solutions that can benefit our operations. I always make sure to share these opportunities with my team as well.”
He also dispels a major myth: instrumentation work is not easy, and it is not simply desk work. “We are climbing platforms, troubleshooting in heat and dust, working across mechanical, electrical, and software domains. You could say that we are working in every area of the plant.”
Given the multidisciplinary nature of instrumentation and controls work, Mr. Mohamed’s advice for young engineers is to master the fundamentals. “You need to understand the physics — pressure, temperature, conductivity,” he advises. “Understand signal types, data formats, and grounding methods. Every sensor is based on a physical principle. If you understand that, you can choose the right tool for the job.”
He also emphasizes cross-disciplinary fluency: “You are not just replacing sensors. You are interpreting the whole process, from pumps to analyzers. That is what makes instrumentation so powerful.”
Engineering the future
For Muataz Mohamed, instrumentation is more than control loops and calibration intervals. It is about protecting critical infrastructure, enabling reliability, and designing systems that last. As AI, automation, and energy systems converge, professionals like Mr. Mohamed will be key in translating complexity into clarity — and bridging today’s operations with tomorrow’s intelligence.
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