Lead Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy•Cedar Rapids, IA

1d•$116,620 - $179,890•Hybrid

About The Position

This position will require onsite support at the Duane Arnold Energy Center, supporting project needs. It will start as a remote position but has the potential to transition to a hybrid work arrangement, involving three days in the office and two days remote. Sargent & Lundy's nuclear power generation clients are modernizing their existing power plants to meet increasing electricity demand, leading to an expansion of work within the Instrumentation and Controls Engineering group. This role offers the opportunity to upgrade and modernize nuclear power plants using the latest control technologies. The successful candidate will lead and support both small and large controls projects, focusing on technical execution and effective Project Management, requiring coordination with mechanical, electrical, and structural disciplines. The work involves investigating, troubleshooting, and resolving a wide range of controls engineering issues.

Requirements

BS or MS in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, or Nuclear Engineering from an ABET accredited program.
10 or more years of experience in the design engineering of instrumentation and controls systems in a project team environment for commercial, industrial applications, with a focus on integrated and detailed system design modifications.
Ability to clearly communicate both in speech and written formats.
Technically knowledgeable of available equipment and proven pre-engineered systems to execute systems design.
Experience with serving as the firm's client liaison in a support or lead engineering role.
Experience in reviewing design documentation.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineering license is preferred.
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

Lead and support small and large controls projects with a focus on technical execution and effective Project Management.
Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, and structural disciplines to bring the project to completion.
Investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve a wide variety of controls engineering issues.
Develop Digital Systems Design -- PLC, DCS, HSI, networked computer systems.
Prepare control system functional and implementation requirements and procurement specifications for nuclear plant control systems.
Interface with the client to ensure proper project execution and client satisfaction.
Prepare and review technical reports, calculations, and studies to present information in a clear and concise manner to meet client requirements.
Manage resources/resource loading and develop estimates for task completion and budget development.
Support the development of proposals.
Prepare and review diagrams and drawings for new and upgraded controls solutions.
Evaluate vendor bids from a technical perspective.
Interface with vendors to perform document reviews, ensure equipment compliance with specifications and needs of the plant, and witness FAT performance on behalf of the client.
Support implementation of the project at the client’s facilities.
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.
Direct 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.