Senior Instrumentation and Controls Design Engineer

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL); Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 153,000 - 244,000; Full time

Job summary

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is seeking a Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to design, deploy, test and operate systems for plasma experiments and collaborations. You will define and drive design, development, testing, and operations across PPPL projects, coordinating with researchers, engineers and staff.

The role requires leadership of multi-disciplinary teams and hands-on debugging of control systems.

Qualifications

• Experience designing, building and delivering complex automation and control systems in industrial or experimental facilities.
• Experience with data archiving and serving infrastructure for complex multi-customer systems.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams on scientific or engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Design, maintain, and support instrumentation and control systems across PPPL projects (60%).
• Oversee daily operation and maintenance of controls and monitoring systems (15%).
• Develop diagrams, drawings, and documentation for systems (10%).
• Lead data archiving and serving strategy for fusion experiments (15%).

Skills

Instrumentation & control systems

Team leadership

Project management

Python

C++

LabVIEW

SCADA/EPICS

SQL / data archiving

Software version control

Requirements definition

Education

Electrical Engineering

Computer Engineering

Related discipline

Tools

EPICS

SQL

HDF5

MDSplus

TCP/UDP

Modbus/OPC

Python

C++

LabVIEW

Git

Job description

In this role you would serve as a Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer working closely with researchers, engineers and technical staff to design, deploy and operate systems used for control, protection and diagnostics for plasma experiments at PPPL as well as both international and national collaborations. This position will define and drive the design, development, testing, and operational phases of Instrumentation and Controls projects undertaken at PPPL. It will require the successful candidate to conceive, plan, and lead efforts in broad areas of considerable novelty and importance. This role interfaces with system leads, engineers, and project leads of various disciplines in the support of PPPL experimental operations. 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 electronics, diagnose failures, and render repairs if needed.

The Percent Breakdown Across Various Duties Is

• 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%
• Lead data archiving and serving strategy and deployment for fusion experiments: 15%

May support visa transfer and relocation for the right candidate

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Electrical Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• or a related discipline.

Professional experience (15+ years), including demonstrated experience in:

• Design, build, and delivery of complex automation and control systems in an industrial or experimental facility.
• Design, deployment, and maintenance of data archiving and serving infrastructure for complex systems with multiple customers.
• Leading and managing technical teams on complex scientific or engineering projects.

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 and be comfortable initiating and maintaining extensive contacts throughout an organization. They must be a team player with the ability to communicate ideas effectively to others with varying levels of technical skills. They will have full technical responsibility for interpreting, organizing, executing and coordinating assignments, and for planning and developing projects.

The Successful Candidate Will Have Experience With The Following

• Defining scope, organizing multi-disciplinary teams, and implementing solutions for instrumentation and controls systems
• Working across a broad network to implement novel designs.
• Working closely with management and technical leadership to define work scope and establish project schedules
• SCADA programs such as EPICS and distributed control architectures
• Database management and administration, eg SQL, HDF5, or MDSplus
• Hardware interfacing and control including triggering, sampling, and signal conditioning
• Communication protocols such as TCP, UDP, Modbus, and OPC
• Software languages such as Python, C++, and Labview
• Software version control and configuration management
• Requirements definition, creation of hardware and software design documents, test design, user guides, and system integration
• Applying Software Quality Assurance (SQA), design control, and configuration management best practices
• Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and code reviews to promote software engineering best practices within the team

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

• Project management
• Linux system administration
• Software CI/CD tools and techniques
• May support visa transfer and relocation for the right candidate

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 (see Policy For Detail)

No

Physical Capacity Exam Required

No

Valid Driver's License Required

No

Salary Range

$152,900 to $244,300