Instrumentation and Controls Engineer - PLC Focus

U.S. Fusion Energy; Princeton (CA); On-site; USD 91,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) seeks an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer focused on PLC-based systems for plasma experiments. You will collaborate with engineers, scientists, and staff to design, deploy, test, and operate control and protection systems for experimental facilities at PPPL.

The role requires hands-on work, software and hardware interfacing, and the development of operator interfaces and documentation, with interactions across international collaborations.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical or Computer Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience with instrumentation and control systems for engineering projects.
• Familiarity with Windows and Linux operating systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, maintain and support instrumentation and control systems (60%).
• Operate and maintain control/monitoring systems (15%).
• Create diagrams, drawings, and documentation (10%).
• Apply controls theory to improve designs (15%).

Skills

Hardware interfacing

LVL programming

HMI development

Control theory

Version control

Networking protocols

Requirements analysis

Education

Electrical Engineering

Computer Engineering

Related discipline

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Siemens PLCs

EPICS

SQL

MDSplus

Job description

Instrumentation and Controls Engineer - PLC Focus

Department: PPPL Engineering

Category: Engineering

Job Type: 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! We are not supporting visa or relocation for this position.

Responsibilities

Core Duties

• 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%

Percentage Breakdown Across Various Duties

• 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 Engineering
• Computer Engineering or related discipline.

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.
• We are not supporting visa or relocation for this position.

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.

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.

Salary Range $90,600 to $144,600

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