Lead Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy

About The Position

Nuclear Power is a carbon-free energy source. Our electric power generation clients are digitizing their existing power plants and building new nuclear power plants, small modular reactors (SMR). This is expanding work in the Instrumentation and Controls Engineering group. This position will offer you the opportunity to direct technical decision making, in a project team environment with other engineers and designers involved in the design, modification, and analysis of new and existing power plant controls systems, specifically digital upgrades. You will work on challenging assignments that include investigating, troubleshooting, and solving a wide variety of instrumentation & controls engineering issues. You will work on major process controls engineering projects in the following areas: Develop and market high level, complex programs for nuclear power projects associated with design, operational excellence, safety, maintenance, and project management.

Requirements

A BS or MS in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program required
10 or more years of experience in the design of instrumentations and controls engineering systems in a project team environment for non-commercial, heavy industrial plants, with a focus on integrated, detailed system design for new plants, or modifications or replacements for existing plants.
Experience with controls system design including applications for low and medium voltage distribution systems and controls for equipment including but not limited to turbines, pumps, feedwater control, and data displays.
Experience with power plant instrumentation and controls systems design for either BWR of PWR reactors, including DCS for turbine, control, feedwater control, and data display.
Technically knowledgeable of available equipment and proven pre-engineered systems to execute systems design.
Experience with serving as firm/client liaison in a support or lead engineering role is desirable.
Experience in reviewing design drawings created by others.

Nice To Haves

PE license preferred
Construction and start-up experience a plus
Commissioning experience a plus
Broad background in providing technical support to nuclear plant projects - from design, project planning, providing technical expertise associated with testing and operations, contract specifications, project oversight, successful project execution, and overall direction of complex nuclear projects.
Licensing strategies associated with Digital I&C Modernization projects.
Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
Additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.

Responsibilities

Develop and market high level, complex programs for nuclear power projects associated with design, operational excellence, safety, maintenance, and project management.
Direct technical decision making, in a project team environment with other engineers and designers involved in the design, modification, and analysis of new and existing power plant controls systems, specifically digital upgrades.
Investigate, troubleshoot, and solve a wide variety of instrumentation & controls engineering issues.
Coordinate systems design activities to ensure installation and operations will comply with specifications, codes, and client requirements.
Perform Digital Systems Design Development -- PLC, DCS, HSI, networked computer systems, and digital instrumentation & control systems functional requirements for nuclear plant systems.
Work collaboratively on quality assessments and critical digital reviews.
Perform consulting level work for digital IOT, innovation, and strategic first of a kind (FOAK) projects for the nuclear industry.
Prepare and review detailed calculations, including scaling, uncertainty, and setpoint calculations for analog and digital controls applications.
Prepare documentation for design input for drawing production including master diagrams and schematics.
Interface with vendors to prepare and review materials and equipment purchase specifications.
Prepare reports and studies that present technical information in a clear and concise manner to meet client requirements.
Perform independent reviews of work performed by others including calculations and drawing preparation.
Attend client meetings and site walkdowns to validate scope and ensure client satisfaction.
Support station outage activities as required.
Lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
Oversee automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
Oversee engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs.