Instrumentation Systems Engineer

Thea Energy•Kearny, NJ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Thea Energy is seeking an experienced Instrumentation Systems Engineers to work on the specification, design, integration, and deployment of the sensor and signal infrastructure for the Integrated Stellarator Eos. This role focuses on the definition and implementation of all instrumentation interfaces, including temperature, pressure, flow, displacement, current/voltage, and magnetic sensors across key control systems such as plasma control, cryogenics, vacuum, superconducting magnets, power supplies, and safety interlocks. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in industrial or scientific instrumentation, I/O design, cabling, grounding, and EMI/EMC practices for high-reliability environments. You will play a central role in building the data foundation for all control and monitoring subsystems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation, Mechatronics, or a related field.
5+ years of experience working with industrial or scientific instrumentation in large facilities (fusion, accelerator, power plant, process industry).
Hands-on experience with a wide range of sensors: thermocouples, RTDs, pressure/flow transducers, current/voltage sensors, fiber-optic sensors, etc.
Proficiency in reading and creating: P&ID diagrams; I/O lists, terminal plans, cable routing drawings; Wiring and loop diagrams.
Knowledge of signal isolation, analog signal conditioning, and transducer interface standards (4-20 mA, 0–10 V, differential signals).
Familiarity with EMI/EMC mitigation strategies, including shielded cabling, star grounding, and filtering.
Experience in selecting and specifying instrumentation junction boxes, sensors, and cable harnesses for harsh or noisy environments.
Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time.
Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call.
Ability to work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics.

Nice To Haves

Experience in fusion, nuclear, or large-scale R&D environments with high-power systems
Familiarity with DAQ platforms such as NI PXIe and CompactRIO
Understanding of safety-related instrumentation in SIL-rated systems (IEC 61508/61511)
Knowledge of fieldbus and industrial communication protocols (e.g., 4-20 mA HART, Modbus, EtherCAT)
Exposure to SCADA and control frameworks (EPICS, TANGO, Siemens WinCC)

Responsibilities

Specify and integrate sensors and transducers for various systems, including: Thermocouples, RTDs, pressure and flow sensors (for cryogenics and vacuum); Rogowski coils, Hall sensors, shunts (for magnet and power supply systems); Displacement and strain sensors, fiber-optic sensors (for structural and magnetic diagnostics).
Define I/O architecture, including signal types, isolation requirements, and communication interfaces (analog, digital, fieldbus).
Develop and maintain: P&ID diagrams and instrumentation schematics; I/O lists, loop diagrams, and tag databases; Cable schedules, junction box layouts, and termination details.
Ensure correct signal conditioning, filtering, and protection for analog and digital inputs.
Implement proper grounding, shielding, and segregation strategies to mitigate EMI/EMC issues.
Support interface design with DAQ systems, PLCs, and embedded control platforms (FPGA, ARM, PXIe).
Assist with the selection of DAQ hardware (digitizers, ADCs, isolation amplifiers, multiplexer cards).
Conduct field commissioning, sensor calibration, and troubleshooting of instrumentation during integration and testing phases.
Collaborate with system owners and control engineers to ensure all instrumentation supports operational requirements, safety, and data fidelity.