Instrumentation and Controls Engineer - PLC Focus

Fusion Energy Base; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 91,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in Princeton, NJ seeks an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer with a PLC focus to design, test, deploy, and operate control and protection systems for plasma experiments. You will collaborate with engineers, researchers, and technicians across national and international projects in a DOE national laboratory setting.

The role emphasizes hands-on testing, diagram creation, and applying control theory to both legacy and new systems while working on-site

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience with instrumentation & control systems.
• Familiar with Windows and Linux; able to communicate designs to varied audiences.

Responsibilities

• Design, Maintain and Support instrumentation and control systems: 60%
• Daily operation and maintenance of Control and Monitoring Systems: 15%
• Develop Diagrams, Drawings and Documentation for systems developed: 10%
• Apply controls theory to refine and improve the design of legacy and new systems: 15%

Skills

Hardware interfacing

PLC programming

LVL language

HMI design

EPICS SCADA

Modbus TCP

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

Windows

Linux

Job description

Instrumentation and Controls Engineer - PLC Focus

2026-22277 • 1 day ago (9/22/2026 9:56 AM) • Department PPPL Engineering • Engineering • Full-Time

Overview

In this role you would serve as an Instrumentation & Control Engineer working closely with engineers and technical staff and researchers to design, deploy and operate systems used for control and protection of engineering systems for plasma experiments at PPPL as well as both international and national collaborations. This position will support the design, development, testing and operational phases of projects undertaken at PPPL. It will require the successful candidate to work closely with scientific and other engineering and technical staff to develop novel solutions in support of such projects. A U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory managed by Princeton University, the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is tackling the world’s toughest science and technology challenges using plasma, the fourth state of matter. With more than 70 years of history, PPPL is a leader in the science and engineering behind the development of fusion energy, a potentially limitless energy source. PPPL is also using its expertise to advance research in the areas of microelectronics, quantum sensors and devices, and sustainability sciences. Whether it be through science, engineering, technology or professional services, every team member has an opportunity to contribute to our mission and vision. Come join us!

Responsibilities

Core Duties: This role includes hands-on work to test systems, diagnose failures and render repairs if needed.

• Design, Maintain and Support instrumentation and control systems: 60%
• Daily operation and maintenance of Control and Monitoring Systems: 15%
• Develop Diagrams, Drawings and Documentation for systems developed: 10%
• Apply controls theory to refine and improve the design of legacy and new systems: 15%

Qualifications

Education and Experience: BS of above in: Electrical EngineeringComputer Engineering or related discipline.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The successful candidate has diversified knowledge of principles and practices in engineering instrumentation & control systems. They must be familiar with the technology commonplace in the instrumentation and control space. This includes software, design tools and underlying operating systems like MS Windows and Linux. They must be a team player with the ability to communicate ideas effectively to others with varying levels of technical skills and work with a diverse set of scientists, engineers and technical staff with varying backgrounds. They communicate designs through presentations and are comfortable providing material for reviews. The successful candidate will have experience with the following:

• Hardware interfacing and control, including signal conditioning.
• PLC device families including Allen-Bradley, Siemens in new and legacy systems.
• Creation and interpretation of PLC programs in Limited-Variability-Language (LVL), e.g. ladder logic, function block diagram, and sequential function chart.
• Development of operator HMIs including screens, alarm servers, and data historians.
• Application of controls theory on the design and tuning of fast and slow systems.
• Software version control and configuration management.
• Communication protocols such as TCP, UDP, Modbus, OPC.
• Requirements definition, creation of hardware and software design documents, test design and system integration.

The ideal candidate would also have experience in the following areas:

• Safety Systems design, programming, and maintenance per IEC-61511/61508.
• SCADA programs such as EPICS.
• Deriving novel control solutions from customer requirements or system documentation.
• HMI design per guidance in ISA-101 "Human-Machine Interfaces."
• Migrating legacy control systems to modern hardware and software.
• Electrically safe work practices, including establishing Lockout/Tagout.
• Database management and administration, eg SQL, HDF5 or MDSplus.
• Physical Requirements: Primarily office work and occasional hands-on technical work.

Working Conditions

This position is on-site at PPPL Monday - Friday. We are not supporting Visas or relocation for this position.

Company Policies

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. The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly. If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above. The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information. Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from participation in certain foreign government talent recruitment programs. All PPPL employees are required to disclose any participation in a foreign government talent recruitment program and may be required to withdraw from such programs to remain employed under the DOE Contract.

Standard Weekly Hours

40.00

Eligible for Overtime

No

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Probationary Period

180 days

Essential Services Personnel

No

Physical Capacity Exam Required

No

Valid Driver's License Required

No

Salary Range

$90,600 to $144,600

Other Information

PPPL is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory managed by Princeton University. The DOE prohibits DOE employees and contractors from participation in certain foreign government talent recruitment programs. All PPPL employees are required to disclose any participation in a foreign government talent recruitment program and may be required to withdraw from such programs to remain employed under the DOE Contract. Princeton University-PPPL is a residential community and an employer that operates continuously 24 hours a day. Essential services employees perform jobs that are necessary and required to maintain basic University operations during scheduled closures or unscheduled suspension of normal operations due to emergencies, events, or other situations. Essential services employees may be asked and/or required to perform jobs or duties that fall outside of their normal job classification during an emergency event. Learn more about our Essential Services policy. If you have questions or comments regarding the iCIMS Privacy Policy or iCIMS FAQs, please contact [e-mail].