Instrumentation And Controls Engineer

Actalent; Mount Laurel Township (NJ); Remote; USD 66,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer to design and modernize nuclear power plant control systems, focusing on digital upgrades. You will prepare change packages, develop specifications, review logic, and select instrumentation for nuclear and conventional plants.

The role requires 5+ years in I&C, strong communication, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams across projects. Remote work options are available for East Coast locations, with a contract-to-hire path.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Controls Engineering; Electrical preferred.
• 5+ years instrumentation and controls experience in power plants or heavy industrial facilities.
• 3+ years of design experience for operating nuclear power plants in the United States; familiarity with nuclear design processes.
• Experience with digital control upgrades and platforms such as Ovation, Honeywell, and Schneider.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Engineering Change Packages with wiring diagrams, schematics, P&IDs, and logic for digital control upgrades.
• Develop specifications for control of plant process and auxiliary systems for safe, reliable operation.
• Review logic diagrams and system descriptions to support control logic integration.
• Select process instrumentation for pressure, temperature, flow, and level in nuclear and conventional power.
• Perform engineering calculations for nuclear plants including instrument set-points and electrical loading changes.
• Lead teams of engineers and technicians, providing guidance and mentoring.

Skills

Instrumentation

Controls design

Nuclear familiarity

Field experience

Team leadership

Communication

Education

BSc Engineering

Tools

Ovation

Honeywell

Schneider

Job description

Job Title

Instrumentation and Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Instrumentation and Controls Engineer plays a key role in the design and modernization of nuclear power plant control systems, with a strong focus on digital control upgrades. This role prepares detailed engineering change packages, develops specifications and logic for process and auxiliary systems, evaluates and selects process instrumentation, and performs critical engineering calculations for operating nuclear facilities. The engineer supports multiple projects across nuclear and conventional power generation, coordinating closely with clients, contractors, vendors, and multidisciplinary project teams.

Responsibilities

• Prepare comprehensive Engineering Change Packages for plant modification projects, including wiring diagrams, schematics, P&IDs, logic diagrams, instrument hookups, and related documentation for digital control upgrades.
• Develop and refine specifications for the control of plant process and auxiliary systems to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation.
• Prepare and review logic diagrams and system functional descriptions to support implementation of system control logic into plant control systems.
• Evaluate, select, and specify process instrumentation for pressure, temperature, flow, and level measurement in nuclear and conventional power applications.
• Perform engineering calculations for nuclear plants, including instrument set-points, electrical loading changes, and other analyses required for safe plant operation.
• Support multiple concurrent projects and coordinate activities with clients, contractors, vendors, and other project team members.
• Apply strong engineering design and analysis skills to develop practical, robust solutions for power plant and heavy industrial facility control systems.
• Lead teams of engineers and technicians, providing technical guidance, training, and mentoring to junior staff.
• Collaborate effectively with other engineering disciplines and project stakeholders to ensure integrated and compliant design solutions.
• Interface professionally with clients, contractors, and vendors, providing clear written and verbal communication on technical issues and project progress.
• Ensure designs and modifications align with nuclear regulations, industry standards, and nuclear standard design processes.
• Conduct field work at operating nuclear plants as needed to support design, implementation, testing, and troubleshooting of control systems.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Controls Engineering from an accredited four-year university, with Electrical Engineering strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of instrumentation and controls experience, including design, operations, or field service/support for power plants or heavy industrial facilities.
• At least 3 years of experience related to the design of operating nuclear power plants in the United States, including familiarity with nuclear standard design processes.
• Strong knowledge of engineering design and analysis, with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience with digital control upgrades and control systems, potentially including platforms such as Ovation, Honeywell, and Schneider systems.
• Background in conventional power generation facilities such as combined cycle and simple cycle power plants, as well as refinery and petrochemical environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams of engineers and technicians and mentoring junior staff.
• Good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to interface effectively with multidisciplinary project teams, clients, contractors, and vendors.
• Familiarity with nuclear regulations and industry standards relevant to nuclear plant design and operation.
• Ability to obtain unescorted access to nuclear plants and other facilities that require Background checks.
• Field experience at an operating nuclear plant, supporting design, implementation, and troubleshooting of control and instrumentation systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with relay-based systems, automation, and instrumentation controls in power and industrial facilities.
• Exposure to nuclear projects across the United States and digital control upgrades, including turbine control systems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and coordinate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Comfort working in both nuclear and conventional generation environments, including refinery and petrochemical facilities.
• Proven ability to contribute to large, complex projects and adapt to new project scopes and joint venture initiatives.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to working with mid-level engineers in a robust team environment.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and growth within a long-established, well-respected engineering organization.

Work Environment

This role offers an East Coastbased remote work environment, with the option for candidates located near North Carolina or New Jersey to work in closer proximity to project teams if desired, though fully remote work is available. The position supports nuclear projects across the United States, as well as conventional generation power facilities such as combined cycle and simple cycle plants, and refinery and petrochemical operations. Engineers work with modern digital control technologies and platforms, including systems such as Ovation, Honeywell, and Schneider, within a culture that values technical excellence, long-term career development, and collaboration. The organization has a long history and strong reputation in the industry, with many employees having decades of tenure and a supportive mix of experienced, mid-level, and early-career engineers. Team members benefit from significant growth opportunities, new large-scale projects rather than backfill work, and a comprehensive benefits package including paid time off.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Mount Laurel, NJ.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $77.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 3, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.