Lead Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy•Cedar Rapids, IA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is for a Lead Instrumentation & Controls Engineer at Sargent & Lundy, supporting project needs at the Duane Arnold Energy Center. The role will initially be remote but may transition to a hybrid work arrangement, requiring three days in the office and two days remote. The company's Nuclear Power Group is expanding its work in Instrumentation and Controls Engineering due to the increasing demand for electric power and the digitization of existing nuclear power plants. This role offers the opportunity to upgrade and modernize nuclear power plants with the latest control technologies. The engineer will be expected to lead and support both small and large controls projects, focusing on technical execution and effective Project Management, and coordinating with mechanical, electrical, and structural disciplines. Sargent & Lundy is a leader in nuclear engineering, design, and licensing, involved in small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactor technology (ART), life extensions, digital modernization of existing plants, and international new-build projects, with a commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability.

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
Willingness or ability to lead others who use modern tools (automation and AI)

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineering license
Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs
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
Guide when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked