Lead Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy•Elkridge, MD

About The Position

Sargent & Lundy is expanding its Instrumentation and Controls Engineering group as electric power generation clients digitize existing plants and build new nuclear power plants and small modular reactors. The Lead Instrumentation & Controls Engineer will work on major process-controls engineering projects involving nuclear power plants, including digital upgrades to new and existing plant controls systems. The role involves technical decision-making within multidisciplinary project teams and consulting work on digital innovation and first-of-a-kind nuclear projects. The engineer will develop and review digital systems designs and functional requirements for PLC, DCS, HSI, networked computer systems, and digital instrumentation and control systems. The role also includes calculations, design documentation, vendor coordination, technical reports, independent reviews, and client-facing work. The position may require support for station outage activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Electrical, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program.
At least 10 years of experience designing instrumentation and controls engineering systems in project-team environments for non-commercial heavy industrial plants, focused on integrated, detailed system design for new plants or modifications or replacements to existing plants.
Experience with controls system design, including applications for low- and medium-voltage distribution systems and controls for equipment such as turbines, pumps, feedwater control, and data displays.
Experience designing instrumentation and controls systems for BWR or PWR nuclear power plants, including DCS for turbine, control, feedwater control, and data display.
Technical knowledge of available equipment and proven pre-engineered systems used to execute systems design.
Work authorization sponsorship in the U.S. is not available for this position.

Nice To Haves

Experience serving as a firm/client liaison in a support or lead engineering role.
Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
Construction and start-up experience.
Commissioning experience.
Broad experience providing technical support to nuclear plant projects, including design, project planning, technical expertise for testing and operations, contract specifications, project oversight, project execution, and overall direction of complex nuclear projects.
Knowledge of licensing strategies for digital I&C modernization projects.
Interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies relevant to the role; experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued but not required.

Responsibilities

Develop and market high-level, complex programs for nuclear power projects involving design, operational excellence, safety, maintenance, and project management.
Direct technical decision-making on project teams designing, modifying, and analyzing new and existing power plant controls systems, particularly digital upgrades.
Investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve instrumentation and controls engineering issues.
Coordinate systems design activities to ensure installation and operation comply with specifications, codes, and client requirements.
Perform digital systems design development and define functional requirements for PLC, DCS, HSI, networked computer systems, and digital instrumentation and control systems for nuclear plant systems.
Collaborate on quality assessments and critical digital reviews.
Perform consulting-level work for digital IOT, innovation, and first-of-a-kind nuclear industry projects.
Prepare and review detailed calculations, including scaling, uncertainty, and setpoint calculations for analog and digital controls applications.
Prepare design-input documentation 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 clearly and concisely to meet client requirements.
Independently review 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.