Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

Sargent & Lundy; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

401(k)

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Flexible work arrangements

Employee discounts

Parental leave

Job summary

Sargent & Lundy is seeking an Instrumentation & Controls Engineer in a hybrid Chicago-area role. You will design power plant I&C systems, prepare procurement specs, and collaborate on multi-discipline teams for new plants and upgrades. Mentorship and on‑the‑job training are emphasized.

Requirements include a BS in Electrical Engineering, a PE license or ability to obtain one, and 9+ years in power/industrial controls, with strong communication and teamwork skills. Travel to sites may be required.

Qualifications

• A BS in Electrical Engineering from an accredited program is required.
• An emphasis in power systems is preferred.
• PE license or ability to earn one is required.
• 9+ years of power plant and heavy industrial control systems experience.
• Experience with instrumentation and controls engineering principles.
• Experience reading/creating logic diagrams and control narratives.
• Proficiency with MS Office, especially Excel and Access.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

• Design of new power plants and modifications to existing facilities.
• Procurement specifications for instrumentation and controls equipment and services.
• Power distribution designs and plant controls betterment.
• Coordinate plant design with multi-discipline teams; perform engineering calculations.
• Mentor peers through sessions and on‑the‑job training.
• Potential travel to client/vendor offices and plant sites for reviews.
• Engage in peer-learning within Sargent & Lundy Communities of Practice.

Skills

Instrumentation & controls engineering

Power systems emphasis

PE license

Power plant experience

Logic diagrams & control narratives

Reading/creating control diagrams

MS Excel & MS Access

Written & verbal communication

Team collaboration

Strong work habits

Positive, enthusiastic attitude

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

Tools

DCS programming

TCS programming

PLC programming

Job description

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week.

• This position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your academic background in Instrumentation and Controls Engineering.
• You will work on project teams with other I&C engineers involved in the design of new power plants, modifications to existing power generation facilities, and plant controls betterment.
• You will be involved in power distribution designs and the preparation of specifications for the procurement of instrumentation and controls equipment and related installation services.
• As a member of a multi-discipline project team, you will be involved in power plant design coordination, engineering calculation preparation, and electrical control circuit design.
• Through mentoring, classroom-style technical sessions, and on-the-job training, you will increase your knowledge and skills in your engineering discipline.
• There is the potential for you to travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs.
• Develop your career via peer-learning by way of S&L’s systems of process and associated “Communities of Practice.”

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Essential Skills And Experience

• A BS in Electrical Engineering from an accredited engineering program is required. An emphasis in power systems is preferred.
• PE license or ability to earn a PE license is required.
• 9+ years of relevant power plant and heavy industrial control systems experience.
• Power or industrial controls experience.
• An understanding of the practical application of instrumentation and controls engineering and technology including applying systems, principles, techniques, and procedures to a project design.
• Experience reading and creating logic diagrams and control narratives.
• Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, drawings, and models.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications, with emphasis on MS Excel and Access.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective experience working in a collaborative team environment.
• Exceptional work habits.
• Resourceful and enthusiastic attitude.

Valued But Not Required Skills And Experience

• Experience with DCS, TCS, and/or PLCs programming.
• Experience performing field work (i.e. control system upgrades, commission, start-up).

Technology & Innovation

Sargent & Lundy values the appropriate use of technology to improve how work gets done and deliver high-quality outcomes for our clients. Depending on the role, employees may use data, automation, artificial intelligence, and other digital tools to support research, analysis, engineering and design activities, workflow improvement, or other aspects of their work. We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools. Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.

About Sargent & Lundy

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & Wellness Financial Benefits Work-Life Balance

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Back-Up Daycare
• FSA & HSA
• 401(k)
• Pre-Tax Commuter Account
• Merit Scholarship Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Corporate Charitable Giving Program
• Tuition AssistanceFirst Professional Licensure Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range

$100,019 - $152,807

Transparency Statement

Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

About This Business Unit

The Energy & Industrial Group (EIG) specializes in delivering advanced engineering solutions across various sectors, including power generation, environmental compliance, oil & gas, and industrial projects, from new plant design to plant betterment and upgrade services for operating facilities. We have designed nearly 900 conventional power plants, yielding over 100,000 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. Our expertise includes numerous recent and ongoing combined cycle projects that leverage the latest advanced machinery, including combustion turbines, steam turbines, and heat recovery steam generators from all leading suppliers. EIG is recognized for its commitment to decarbonization through innovative technologies in renewable energy, carbon capture, and hydrogen power. We excel in detailed engineering services for photovoltaic (PV) solar projects and energy storage integration, and lead the industry in carbon capture technologies, managing projects from conceptual studies, pilot demonstrations and through commercial scale implementation for utilities and industrial plants.

Equal Opportunity

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.