Instrumentation and Controls Engineer

America's grid is only as strong as the engineers who secure it. At the Nuclear Science & Technology directorate at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), you'll be one of them.

The Regulatory Research and Plant Optimization division within Nuclear Science and Technology directorate is looking for an Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Engineer to shape the future of nuclear power plants. This position supports INL’s Research and Development (R&D) priorities directed at introducing digital technologies (e.g., instrumentation, control, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics) for use in the commercial nuclear power sector, facilitating the transformation from highly labor-intensive to a human-led, digital/automation-centric approach to plant operation and maintenance.

What you'll actually be doing:

• Conducting digital research, development and demonstrations (RD&D) that close the technical gaps for modernizing the current fleet of nuclear power plants.
• Participating in and/or leading RD&D projects, including developing the overall technical approach, execution, budget, and all necessary resources to accomplish work.
• Coordinating R&D efforts with other researchers and with the needs, plans, and activities of plant owner-operators, vendors, suppliers, other research organizations, and regulatory organizations.
• Initiating new collaborations with industry, including developing non-disclosure agreements and cooperative research and development agreements, to support the development and deployment of digital technologies to the commercial sector or to support individual RD&D efforts.
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, with management, co-workers, and partners.
• Publishing research results in journals and conference proceedings.
• Writing and/or contributing to technical reports.
• Preparing competitive proposals for the DOE or internal INL funding opportunities.
• Giving effective presentations distilling complex technical information into easily consumable information to internal and external audiences.
• Developing intellectual property leading to patents/copyrights and facilitating technology transfer.

Why this role matters:

Optimizing the operation and maintenance of the current and future fleet of nuclear reactors is essential for the success of the ongoing nuclear renaissance. You will have a direct hand in building the digital technology that supports the modernization of the nuclear industry. You will have real ownership over high-stakes systems, the opportunity to collaborate with world-leading scientists and engineers, mentor future talent, and define what the American nuclear industry looks like.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Work with and effectively collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers on challenging work scopes.
• Work with and effectively collaborate with internal and external partners to identify requirements and commercially available technologies that meet specific specifications.
• Collaborate and partner effectively with other government agencies, academia, and private sector companies to achieve project goals. Decompose project goals into defined and controlled design requirements.
• Use design methodologies, technologies, and processes which are best practices for the technical discipline to develop and define a design, and to validate that the design meets defined requirements.
• Develop physics-based mathematical models of mechanical, chemical, and electrical systems to support and verify design.
• Establish testing, inspection, and quality requirements to ensure technical features important to design functions are maintained.
• Oversee or otherwise ensure that fabrication, construction, assembly, and procurement are done in accordance with the design and INL policy.
• Ensure that analysis needs are recorded and clearly understood. Document the design (controlled and approved models, drawings, specifications, design descriptions) to establish conformance with design requirements and applicable codes and standards.
• Ensure that data and analysis generated by the instruments are of high quality and meet customer and user needs.
• Participate in professional development activities aimed at keeping pace with industry developments.
• Maintain familiarity with and technical understanding of codes and standards applicable to the discipline.
• Maintain knowledge of newly emerging technologies and applications to the nuclear industry.
• Identify applicable codes, standards, regulations, and procedures.
• Publish and communicate research accomplished on the instrument and instrument improvements to both external and internal audiences effectively with the goal of enhancing INL’s reputation and building a strong user base for the instrument.
• Mentor junior staff and proactively connect them to opportunities in current projects.
• Generate ideas for new proposals and business development opportunities.

Required:

• Level 3: An advanced degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, or Nuclear Engineering or a directly related field from a program accredited by ABET and 2 years of relevant experience.
• Level 4: Master of Science degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, or Nuclear Engineering or a directly related field from a program accredited by ABET, and 6 years of relevant experience, or a PhD in the same fields/disciplines and 4 years of relevant experience.
• Exceptional communication skills across mediums and platforms.
• Exceptional collaboration skills across stakeholders.
• Relevant experience to include the following:

  • Design, analysis, modification, or evaluation of digital I&C systems.

  • Programmable logic controllers, distributed control systems, field-programmable gate arrays, embedded digital devices, and industrial communication network.

  • Digital system architectures, including redundancy, independence, separation, defense-in-depth, diversity, and failure-mode analysis.

  • Software or system development life-cycle activities, including requirements development, design, implementation, integration, verification, validation, and testing.

  • Evaluation of software, firmware, communication systems, and digital system reliability and cybersecurity.

  • Proficiency in one or more programming or engineering-analysis languages and tools, such as Python, C/C++, MATLAB/Simulink, and LabVIEW.

  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning, including large language models.

  • Development of experimental testbeds, including integrating digital hardware and software.

  • Safety-related or important-to-safety digital systems used in nuclear power plants, research reactors, or other safety-critical facilities.

  • Nuclear I&C regulatory guidance, codes, and standards, such as NRC guides, IEEE standards, IEC standards, or industry guidance.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Demonstrated ability to perform independent research and methods development.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field environment, which may include construction sites. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information:

• The position will work a 9x80 schedule located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, with every other Friday off.
• The pay range for this position is: Level 3 ($95,256 - $195,288) / Level 4 ($114,360 - $234,336). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.