Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Engineer

Quantum Leap Energy • ,

15h • Hybrid

About The Position

Quantum Leap Energy (QLE) is seeking an Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Engineer to join their Engineering team. This role is responsible for the instrumentation and controls scope in multidisciplinary engineering projects, ranging from laboratory and pilot scales to major capital projects. The position reports to the US Engineering Manager and collaborates daily with the U.S. Engineering and Research & Optimization teams. While Austin, Texas is preferred, remote candidates within the United States will be considered, with regular travel to U.S. project sites required.

Requirements

• >10 years of experience in I&C engineering, automation engineering, SCADA engineering, or similar roles in chemical, petrochemical, refining, nuclear, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Data Science discipline (or closely related technical field).
• Demonstrated success supporting controls engineering functions in multidisciplinary projects through design, procurement, construction, and commissioning, with focused accountability for cost and schedule in I&C scope.
• Experience working daily with process and mechanical engineers, operations, and contractors on brownfield or greenfield capital projects.
• In depth understanding of multiple scales of controls and controls systems including PLC and DCS systems and supporting hardware.
• Comfortable generating, reading and working with engineering documentation (One line diagrams, Ladder Logic, network architecture diagrams, etc.) and relevant codes/standards.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills – able to receive information from other technical disciplines and apply it to I&C work scope.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills; able to manage multiple active projects and stakeholders in parallel.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in structured project delivery frameworks (FEL, stage gate, etc.).
• Experience designing data capture and management systems, PLC and DCS systems from the ground up.
• Experience working with EPC(M) firms on chemical or nuclear adjacent facilities, including interface management and commissioning coordination.
• Familiarity with systems handling corrosive chemicals, high vacuum or gas handling equipment, or nuclear fuel / isotope enrichment processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead end to end I&C execution for a portfolio of technical projects, from early concept through construction, commissioning, and handover to operations.
• Build and maintain control philosophies, implementation plans, instrument lists, etc.
• Accurately report cost, tradeoff considerations, schedule, and milestone performance related to assigned I&E scopes; escalate issues early and drive structured recovery plans when needed.
• Participate in recurring project meetings (status, design progress, readiness, lessons learned), ensuring clear progress and updated resourcing/timelines are available to project management as it relates to I&C scopes.
• Act as the primary project level coordinator between Process, Mechanical, Controls, Operations, and EHS, ensuring interfaces, assumptions, and constraints are clearly documented and aligned.
• Ensure engineering deliverables (PFDs, P&IDs, equipment specs, layouts, tie ins, etc.) are progressing per plan, without assuming responsibility for detailed design.
• Support the U.S. Engineering Manager by surfacing cross discipline clashes, constraints, and resourcing needs early, enabling proactive leadership decisions.
• Facilitate the flow of information between R&D, Engineering, and Operations so that scales up risks, operability concerns, and maintainability requirements are incorporated into project scope and timelines.
• Work with QLE project managers to coordinate engineering contractors on project I&C scope, schedule, and interfaces, while maintaining technical authority over work delivery.
• Support preparation and tracking of technical requisitions, RFQs, and purchase orders for equipment and services, ensuring alignment with project budgets and timelines.
• Work closely with construction and commissioning leads to integrate field constraints, tie in windows, and start up sequences into project plans.
• Provide context and respond to I&C related change orders, RFIs, and technical queries from vendors and contractors from a scope/schedule/cost perspective.
• Embed “compliance first” and “safety by design” expectations in project plans, aligning with engineering, EHS, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Follow project documentation standards for project proposal, decision gates, and change management to meet internal governance requirements.
• Provide clear, concise project status reporting to the U.S. Engineering Manager, Project Managers and broader leadership – including KPIs, risks, and decisions required.
• Conveys technical information regarding I&C workstreams to non-I&C peers and managers in a way which permits educated decision making and risk management in I&C scope.
• Capture and institutionalize lessons learned (scope definition, contracting strategy, commissioning readiness, stakeholder engagement), improving templates and playbooks over time.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary aligned to global compensation bands and local market data.
• Bonus eligibility: Target % based on level and impact.
• Equity participation: Reflecting your contribution to QLE’s long-term success.
• Comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for global mobility across US, UK, and ZA operations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior