Lead Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 1 - Nuclear
$118,023–$180,313 year
HybridPhoenix, Arizona, United States
Job Summary
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 team environments for 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 while coordinating systems design to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, and client requirements. Execute Digital Systems Design Development for PLC, DCS, HSI, and networked computer systems, including preparing functional system requirement specifications, quality assessments, and critical digital reviews. Perform consulting work for digital IOT, innovation, and strategic first-of-a-kind projects. Prepare detailed calculations, documentation for design input, and equipment purchase specifications. Conduct 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, supporting station outage activities as required. Lead teams in using modern tools, automation, and AI to improve workflows and deliver cost-effective designs. This hybrid role requires three days of in-office work per week.
Required Qualifications
- A BS or MS in engineering from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program
- 10 or more years of experience in the design engineering of instrumentation and controls engineering systems in a project team environment for heavy industrial plants, with a focus on integrated, detailed system design for new plants or replacements for existing plants
- Technically knowledgeable of available equipment and proven pre-engineered systems to execute systems design
- Experience in reviewing design drawings created by others
- This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week
- We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position
Desired Qualifications
- Experience serving as firm/client liaison in a support or lead engineering role
- PE license
- Broad background in providing technical support to nuclear plant projects - from design engineering, project planning, providing technical expertise associated with testing and operations, contract specifications, project oversight, successful project execution, and overall direction of complex nuclear projects
- Leaders in these roles often 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
- Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs
- We also value 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
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