Principal Engineer - Instrumentation & Controls

GTI Energy; Illinois; On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Competitive salaries

Generous benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

GTI Energy is hiring an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer to join its Research & Engineering group in the Chicagoland area. Ideal candidates will have over 10 years of experience and be proficient in instrumentation and control systems, along with expertise in automation programming. The role includes training engineers, developing project proposals, and hands-on labs work. GTI Energy provides a supportive environment with competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth. The offered salary ranges from $130,000 to $170,000 annually, complemented by bonuses and other rewards.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10+ years of relevant, professional-level work experience after a B.S.
• Experience with instrumentation and troubleshooting of control systems.
• Ability to document work in written, graphical, and presentation form.

Responsibilities

• Work with, train and assist a team of engineers on data logging solutions.
• Develop cost estimates and provide input on project proposals.
• Assist in the hands-on development, construction, and commissioning of systems.

Skills

Familiarity with AutoCAD or SolidWorks

Familiarity with analytical tools such as MATLAB, PowerBI, or Python

Familiarity with data management tools such as ParcView or PI

Familiarity with wireless protocols such as LoRaWAN, LTE, Monit

Familiarity with protocols such as CAN, MQTT, or HART

Familiarity with Process & Instrumentation Diagrams

Experience in producing controls

Experience managing or mentoring technical personnel

Education

Relevant work experience after a B.S. (10+ years)

Experience with automation programming of National Instruments LabVIEW or Allen Bradley PLCs

Experience with industrial protocols such as MODBUS, OPC, or Ethernet

Job description

General Summary

GTI Energy, the nation’s leading research, development, deployment, and training organization serving energy markets, has an opportunity for an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer in our Research & Engineering group.

Why GTI Energy?

GTI Energy is where complex energy challenges meet bold solutions. With expertise in energy research, technology development, and business innovation, partners across every sector trust us to build and demonstrate solutions for better-performing energy systems. Guided by systems thinking, collaboration, and innovation, we are focused on driving progress that matters for people everywhere.

Being part of the GTI Energy team means being surrounded by people that are passionate and purpose driven, empowered to continuously learn, ask hard questions, and leverage their knowledge and experience to drive toward a greater purpose.

We offer generous benefits, competitive salaries, opportunities for professional growth and career advancement. We prioritize and maintain a respectful culture, and we ensure reasonable accommodation is made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their role.

Work Location

The position will be based in the Chicagoland area at the GTI Energy Headquarters. This is a laboratory-based position that typically requires in-person work 5 days a week. While local candidates are preferred, GTI Energy provides relocation assistance for the right candidate.

Primary Responsibilities

This position is with a group of engineers and scientists that bring technological solutions to a broad range of energy project developers, utility companies, and end-users. The candidate must be able to apply engineering practices to the development and deployment of instrumentation, controls, and connected systems. The candidate must be able to work within the structure of an overall project team while being able to work independently on sub-tasks. Position responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Work with, train and assist in mentoring a team of engineers working on data logging solutions and control systems in support of laboratory and field site demonstrations and evaluations of energy technology.
• Develop cost estimates and provide input on proposals for work in support of projects.
• Research and identify components, hardware and software that match requirements.
• Document work in written, graphical, and presentation form.
• Assist in the hands‑on development, construction and commissioning of instrumentation and control systems onsite in GTI Energy’s laboratory facilities and off‑site for field demonstration projects five days a week.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, And Other Characteristics

• Familiarity with AutoCAD or SolidWorks.
• Familiarity with analytical tools such as MATLAB, PowerBI, or Python
• Familiarity with data management tools such as ParcView or PI
• Familiarity with wireless protocols such as LoRaWAN, LTE, Monit
• Familiarity with protocols such as CAN, MQTT, or HART
• Familiarity with Process & Instrumentation Diagrams
• Familiarity with Process Instrumentation Specification and Procurement
• Experience in producing controls
• Experience managing or mentoring technical personnel

Required Education And Experience

• A minimum of 10+ years of relevant, professional-level work experience after a B.S.; 8+ years of relevant, professional-level work experience after an M.S.; 5+ years of relevant, professional-level experience after a Ph.D.
• Experience with automation programming of National Instruments LabVIEW or Allen Bradley PLCs
• Experience with instrumentation, flow meters, and troubleshooting of control systems
• Experience with industrial protocols such as MODBUS, OPC, or Ethernet
• Experience in producing and modifying wiring diagrams for control systems

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is $130,000 - $170,000 USD annually. This salary range is GTI Energy’s good faith estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, GTI Energy’s business or organizational needs and an individual’s relevant experience, education, qualifications, certifications, skills, seniority, geographic location, and/or performance. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus. The range listed is just one component of GTI Energy’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, paid time off, and region-specific benefits.

EEO Statement

GTI Energy is committed to developing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. If you require any accommodation, please e‑mail us at [e-mail] and we’ll work with you to meet your accessibility needs. You must have legal authorization to work for GTI Energy on your date of hire with no further action required by GTI Energy. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and give consideration to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Additional Information

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.