Lead Instrumentation & Controls Engineer 1 - Nuclear

This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week at the Sargent & Lundy office in Peachtree Corners, GA.

About the role

Our Nuclear Power Generation clients are digitizing their existing power plants and building new nuclear power plants, including Small Modular Reactors (SMR). This is expanding work in the Instrumentation and Controls Engineering Group. You will work on major process controls engineering projects associated with design, operational excellence, safety, maintenance, and project management.

This position will offer you the opportunity to direct technical decision-making in a project team environment with other engineers and designers involved in the design, modification, and analysis of new and existing power plant controls systems, specifically digital upgrades. You will work on challenging assignments that include investigating, troubleshooting, and solving a wide variety of instrumentation and controls engineering issues.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate systems design activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, and client requirements.
• Perform Digital Systems Design Development for PLC, DCS, HSI, and networked computer systems for nuclear plant systems, including preparing functional system requirement specifications, quality assessments, and critical digital reviews.
• Perform consulting-level work for digital IoT, innovation, and strategic first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects for the nuclear industry.
• Prepare and review detailed calculations, including scaling, uncertainty, and setpoint calculations for analog and digital controls applications.
• Prepare documentation for design input for drawing production, including cable block diagrams and schematics.
• Interface with vendors and prepare and review equipment purchase specifications.
• Prepare reports and studies that present technical information clearly and concisely to meet client requirements.
• Perform 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.
• Support station outage activities as required.
• Lead others in using modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
• Direct automation and process-improvement work, including how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation, and guide the use of AI or agentic AI tools while ensuring results are checked.
• Oversee engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs.

Requirements

• A BS degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited 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.
• Experience 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.
• Technical knowledge of available equipment and proven pre-engineered systems to execute systems design.
• Experience serving as a firm/client liaison in a support or lead engineering role is desirable.
• Experience in reviewing design drawings created by others.

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

• PE license (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 (valued but not required).

Benefits

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

• Health & Wellness:
  • Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Life & Accident Insurance
  • Disability Coverage
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Back-Up Daycare
  • FSA & HSA
• Financial Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Pre-Tax Commuter Account
  • Merit Scholarship Program
  • Employee Discount Program
  • Corporate Charitable Giving Program
  • Tuition Assistance
  • First Professional Licensure Bonus
  • Employee Referral Bonus
• Work-Life Balance:
  • Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Bereavement Leave
  • Flexible Work Arrangements

Pay

Compensation range: $118,023 - $180,313. The total compensation package for eligible positions includes a base salary and a comprehensive benefits package. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

About this business unit

Join Sargent & Lundy's Nuclear Power Group and be part of a team driving the future of clean, carbon-free energy. Since 1954, we’ve been a trusted leader in nuclear engineering, design, and licensing, with expertise spanning small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactor technology (ART), and first-of-a-kind commercial reactor restart projects. Our work supports life extensions and digital modernization of existing nuclear plants, coal-to-nuclear conversion initiatives, and international nuclear new-build projects. With a commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability, we provide cutting-edge solutions that power communities worldwide while reducing emissions.