Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineer

Jacobs; Cary (NC); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

401(k) plan

Stock purchase program

Paid time off (PPTO)

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to lead design and commissioning for utility-scale power projects, with experience in DCS/PLC systems, SCADA, and networked OT environments. You will guide multidisciplinary teams and engage clients to deliver reliable energy solutions.

The role supports campus upgrades and federal energy work, offering a hybrid work model and opportunities for professional growth. Minimum 10 years in design or consulting is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Advanced Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• At least 10 years of design, consulting, or operations experience.
• Ability to lead multi person teams of engineers and designers to deliver projects.
• 10 years of experience in instrument specification, PLC or DCS control systems, P&ID development, SCADA systems and networks.
• Experience with industrial DCS or PLC logic development, graphics development, and hardware implementation (Allen Bradley PLC, Emerson Ovation, Siemens T3000 or GE Mark VIe preferred)
• Experience commissioning of Control systems, including troubleshooting and problem-solving techniques to maintain high availability of Control systems
• Professional Engineer License or ability to obtain PE license within one year.
• Proven ability to engage with clients, develop relationships and win work, and then deliver innovative solutions providing value to both the client and provider
• Ability to work independently on a large array of tasks while providing guidance and mentorship to junior staff.
• Strong communication and technical writing skills
• Availability to work at least 3 days/week

Responsibilities

• Prepare specifications and drawings, write control system descriptions, perform startup and commissioning activities.
• Specify instrumentation such as pressure and flow transmitters, switches, and control valves for large power projects.
• Knowledge of DCS and PLC Control systems, SCADA systems, and Human Machine Interface software to effectively design and implement instrumentation and control systems for large power projects.
• Design of SCADA and OT networks including DCS, PLCs, servers/workstation, network switches and firewalls.
• Work with other engineering disciplines on large, complex design projects to incorporate equipment, process, and facility control concepts
• Collaborate on proposals and contribute to client relationships and business development efforts.
• Select and troubleshoot field process instruments.
• Display strong communication and interpersonal skills and have the ability to work in a fast-paced consulting environment with multiple deadlines.
• Drive ownership of health & safety in all aspects of project execution, office and personal environments

Skills

Instrumentation specs

DCS/PLC/SCADA

HMI/graphics

Network security for OT

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Advanced Degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's or Advanced Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's or Advanced Degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Allen Bradley PLC

Emerson Ovation

Siemens T3000

GE Mark VIe

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

The energy industry is undergoing rapid and dramatic changes, transforming the utility landscape to enhance reliability and increase capacity. In response, Jacobs is expanding its Energy & Power Solutions team to tackle the expansion and deliver a more secure energy future. We are seeking a senior-level (10 plus years) instrumentation and controls engineer for utility scale simple cycle and combined cycle power projects as well as opportunities for work in campus upgrades as well as state and federal energy projects.
Demonstrated abilities include a broad understanding of process design, industrial systems, and instrumentation and control technologies. Experience in consulting, design, and EPC project delivery will be highly regarded, as will experience in Owner’s Engineer roles or advisory (technical advisor/due diligence) roles.
Your primary responsibilities will focus upon utility scale power project technical delivery as part of the energy and power team. #epjobs #naepjobs
If you are passionate about developing reliable energy projects, motivated by a challenge, and enjoy working with a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team to develop innovative solutions, Jacobs is the place for you. Come join our growing team to realize the future of energy!

The Senior I&C Engineer will lead and work alongside project teams to perform the following tasks

• Prepare specifications and drawings, write control system descriptions, perform startup and commissioning activities.
• Ability to specify instrumentation such as pressure and flow transmitters, switches, and control valves for large power projects.
• Knowledge of DCS and PLC Control systems, SCADA systems, and Human Machine Interface software to effectively design and implement instrumentation and control systems for large power projects. Typically, logic diagrams (SAMA format), graphics sketches, control system descriptions, sequence of operations and alarm lists are developed.
• Design of SCADA and Operational Technology networks including DCS, PLCs, servers/workstation, network switches and firewalls.
• Work with other engineering disciplines on large, complex design projects to incorporate equipment, process, and facility control concepts
• Collaborate on proposals and contribute to client relationships and business development efforts.
• Select and troubleshoot field process instruments.
• Display strong communication and interpersonal skills and have the ability to work in a fast-paced consulting environment with multiple deadlines.
• Drive ownership of health & safety in all aspects of project execution, office and personal environments

This role can site at any one of our Jacobs office locations, Nationwide

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor's or Advanced Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related engineering discipline
• At least 10 years of design, consulting, or operations experience.
• Ability to lead multi person teams of engineers and designers to deliver projects.
• 10 years of experience in instrument specification, PLC or DCS control systems, P&ID development, control system architecture development, SCADA systems and networks.
• Experience with industrial DCS or PLC logic development, graphics development, and hardware implementation (Allen Bradley PLC, Emerson Ovation, Siemens T3000 or GE Mark VIe preferred)
• Experience commissioning of Control systems, including troubleshooting and problem-solving techniques to maintain high availability of Control systems
• Professional Engineer License or ability to obtain PE license within one year.
• Proven ability to engage with clients, develop relationships and win work, and then deliver innovative solutions providing value to both the client and provider
• Ability to work independently on a large array of tasks while providing guidance and mentorship to junior staff.
• Strong communication and technical writing skills
• Availability to work at least 3 days/week

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.
The base salary range for this position is $123,600.00 to $162,300.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on September 22, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.