Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 1 - Nuclear

Sargent & Lundy•Wilmington, DE

6d•$84,762 - $129,498

About The Position

Our electric power generation clients are updating and replacing the power plant control systems with new digital control systems. This is expanding work in the Instrumentation and Controls Engineering group. You will work on major process controls engineering projects for upgrades and modifications to nuclear power plants in the following areas: Digital Systems -- PLC, DCS, Touchscreen displays, network switches and control systems; Functional Requirement and Procurement Specifications for instrumentation and control systems for nuclear power plants; Process instrumentation replacement evaluation reports and nuclear modification packages; Mechatronics, Control Systems for pumps, valves, heat exchangers, steam turbines and reactors to improve the functionality of the client’s plant. Attend client meetings and perform site walkdowns to ensure the client is satisfied with our work product. Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced nuclear instrumentation and controls design engineers.

Requirements

BS degree in engineering from an ABET accredited program with a strong academic background and coursework in analog and digital control systems, systems engineering, mechatronics, or robotics.
A minimum of 5 years of experience in design engineering for process control systems.
Experience with controls system design including applications for low and medium voltage distribution systems and controls for equipment including 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 in reviewing design drawings created by others.
Willingness or ability to lead others who use modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
Expected to 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.

Nice To Haves

Experience in design engineering for nuclear power plant control system is preferred.
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

Work on major process controls engineering projects for upgrades and modifications to nuclear power plants.
Develop Digital Systems including PLC, DCS, Touchscreen displays, network switches and control systems.
Create Functional Requirement and Procurement Specifications for instrumentation and control systems for nuclear power plants.
Prepare Process instrumentation replacement evaluation reports and nuclear modification packages.
Apply Mechatronics and Control Systems for pumps, valves, heat exchangers, steam turbines and reactors to improve plant functionality.
Attend client meetings and perform site walkdowns.
Provide mentorship to less experienced nuclear instrumentation and controls design engineers.