Cooling Water, Liquids and Gas Engineer

Fusion Energy Base; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 111,600 - 178,200; Full time

Job summary

Princeton University is seeking a Cooling Water, Liquids and Gas Engineer to support NSTX-U cooling water, liquid and gas systems, ensuring safe operation, maintenance, and engineering integrity.

The role involves overseeing operations, developing procedures, maintaining spare parts, and guiding technical staff while coordinating startup and shutdown of high-power systems. Strong background in fluid systems and maintenance programs is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or related Engineering; 8+ years experience or Master’s with 6+ years.
• Experience in a supervisory or lead technical role.
• Process experience with industrial fluid systems (pumps, valves, piping, control systems, water chemistry).
• Experience with preventative maintenance and development of comprehensive maintenance programs.
• Experience preparing technical documentation such as operational procedures, P&ID drawings, and process flow diagrams.
• Experience with plant simulation and modeling is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) and ASME B31.1/B31.3 codes.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; proficiency with MS Office/Excel or Google Workspace.
• PE license is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support for life cycle maintenance, operation, and upgrade of cooling water, liquid and gas systems.
• Oversee safety, compliance, and quality program requirements.
• Define and maintain spare parts inventory.
• Develop procedures, specifications, and inspection plans; maintain drawings and training material.
• Coordinate startup, routine operation, and shutdown of high-power systems for NSTX-U.
• Lead and direct technical support staff; set goals and conduct performance appraisals.
• Evaluate data from testing and operations to recommend design or operational improvements.
• Respond to fault conditions and enforce safety envelopes during operations.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Chemical engineering

Leadership

Fluid systems

Preventive maintenance

Technical documentation

P&ID drawings

Process flow diagrams

Plant simulation

LOTO

ASME B31.1/B31.3

Communication

MS Office/Google Workspace

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering

Master’s degree with 6+ years experience

Job description

Cooling Water, Liquids and Gas Engineer

Provide engineering support for life cycle maintenance, operation, and upgrade of cooling water, liquid and gas systems at PPPL. This role is responsible for the overall technical integrity, safe operation, and maintenance of assigned systems and supervises staff.

Responsibilities

• Support NSTX-U cooling water, liquid and gas systems and other PPPL experiments.
• Provide technical oversight of operations, maintenance, and configuration management of experimental systems.
• Develop and maintain procedures, specifications, maintenance and inspection plans, drawings, and training material.
• Define and maintain spare parts inventory.
• Provide design support for corrective maintenance of components (piping, pumps, valves, relief devices, heat exchangers).
• Prepare and maintain engineering calculations and system models (e.g., AFT Arrow, Fathom).
• Oversee operator training, operations and troubleshooting during experimental operations.
• Evaluate data from testing, commissioning, and operations to recommend design or operational improvements.
• Lead and direct technical support staff, set goals, conduct performance appraisals, plan schedules.
• Foster a culture of responsibility, mentorship, and professional communication.
• Ensure safety and compliance with environmental, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
• Coordinate startup, routine operation, and shutdown of high‑power pressure, vacuum, and electrical systems for NSTX‑U.
• Respond to fault conditions and enforce safety envelopes during operations.
• Ensure effective communications across the operating team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or related Engineering & 8+ years relevant experience, or Master’s degree with 6+ years.
• Experience in a supervisory or lead technical role.
• Process experience with industrial fluid systems (pumps, valves, piping, control systems, water chemistry).
• Experience with preventative maintenance and development of comprehensive maintenance programs.
• Experience preparing technical documentation such as operational procedures, P&ID drawings, and process flow diagrams.
• Experience with plant simulation and modeling is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of Lock‑Out/Tag‑Out (LOTO) and ASME B31.1/B31.3 codes.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; proficiency with MS Office/Excel or Google Workspace.
• PE license is highly desirable.

Physical & Working Conditions

• Full vision; occasional close work; work in low light.
• Lift up to 25 lbs frequently; up to 50 lbs occasionally.
• Work near magnetic fields; climb ladders; walk, stand or sit; wear protective gear (hard hats, safety glasses, electrical PPE).
• Work in industrial hazards: oxygen deficiency, high noise, confined spaces, elevations, radiation, energized equipment.
• Work primarily 1st shift; 2nd shift or on‑call duties as required.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

All PPPL employees are required to disclose participation in foreign government talent recruitment programs; DOE employees and contractors are prohibited from participation in certain foreign government programs, and may be required to withdraw to remain employed under the DOE contract.

Applicants must pass background check, reference checks, and pre‑employment screening.

Salary: $111,600 – $178,200; benefits available.