Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

Job description

Last Energy is seeking a hands-on Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to support the integration, deployment, and lifecycle management of industrial instrumentation, electrical, and control systems. In this role, you will serve as a technical integrator and field-oriented engineer, ensuring automation and control systems are correctly specified, installed, commissioned, and operated within a safety-critical nuclear environment. This position is ideal for an engineer who thrives at the boundary between design intent and real-world execution — working closely with vendors, fabricators, technicians, and operations to translate requirements into reliable, field-ready systems. ### Key Duties & Responsibilities - Control System Specification: Define functional requirements and performance expectations for PLCs, HMIs, remote I/O, motor controllers, VFDs, and safety devices. - Support vendor selection and review vendor deliverables for technical adequacy - PLC & HMI Oversight: Review, validate, and support PLC logic and HMI designs developed by vendors or integrators. Ensure systems are modular, testable, and aligned with operational and safety requirements - System Architecture & Integration: Integrate electrical, instrumentation, and automation components into cohesive control system architectures, ensuring interoperability across hardware, networks, and field devices - Automation Improvements: Identify opportunities to automate manual or error-prone processes to improve reliability, consistency, and operational margins - Instrumentation Specification: Select and specify field instrumentation (pressure, temperature, flow, level, etc.), including accuracy, environmental suitability, and interface requirements - Electrical & Controls Coordination: Provide technical direction for control panels, power distribution (24 VDC / 120 VAC), grounding, and signal interfaces. Review drawings and wiring packages produced by vendors or fabricators - Lifecycle & Obsolescence Management: Manage component lifecycles, including qualification of substitutes, vendor coordination, and long-term maintainability planning - Field Deployment: Support and oversee fabrication, installation, and wiring of control cabinets and field devices, working directly with electricians, technicians, and vendors - Commissioning & Startup: Lead or support Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), loop checks, and startup activities. Troubleshoot integration issues involving wiring, instrumentation, communications, and control logic - Operational Support: Provide expert troubleshooting for installed systems, resolving complex electrical, instrumentation, and controls issues during operations - Safety Integration: Ensure control and instrumentation systems meet safety basis requirements applicable to DOE Hazard Category 1, 2, or 3 nuclear facilities - Configuration Management: Maintain disciplined configuration control of hardware and software changes. Ensure as-built documentation reflects the installed configuration and approved modifications - Vendor & Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a technical interface between internal teams, vendors, and contractors to ensure safety, quality, and schedule expectations are met ### Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field - 3+ years of experience supporting industrial electrical, instrumentation, and control systems in a hands-on or field-facing role - Practical experience working with PLC-based control systems (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley), including reviewing logic, supporting testing, and troubleshooting deployed systems - Strong understanding of industrial electronics, instrumentation, and low-voltage power distribution - Demonstrated experience working directly with vendors, integrators, technicians, and installers in commissioning or operational environments - Familiarity with industrial control system cybersecurity concepts and best practices (IEC 62443 knowledge is a plus) - Experience in nuclear, oil & gas, chemical processing, or other highly regulated, safety-critical industries - Working knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, TCP/IP, Profinet, or Ethernet/IP