Controls Engineer

Standard Nuclear is fueling America's nuclear renaissance at industrial scale. Our mission is to deliver the essential building blocks of nuclear power-enabling cost-effective, safe, and secure energy for the world. 

The Controls Engineer is a hands-on contract role responsible for immediate support of industrial control systems across Standard Nuclear's manufacturing operations. This position is intended for an experienced controls professional who can step into active projects with minimal ramp-up and design, program, troubleshoot, modify, and commission control systems from day one. 

The successful contractor must have deep hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMIs and must be able to develop complete electrical control drawings from scratch for new equipment, system modifications, and field installations. 

The Controls Engineer will work directly with engineering, manufacturing, maintenance, operations, and external integrators to resolve production issues, complete controls upgrades, support equipment startup, and deliver reliable automation solutions in a fast-moving, regulated manufacturing environment. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Controls System Engineering 

•  Independently design, develop, modify, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLC control systems for manufacturing and process equipment 
•  Develop, modify, and troubleshoot HMI applications, operator interfaces, alarms, interlocks, sequences, and equipment controls 
• Review existing control logic, I/O architecture, instrumentation, and machine sequences and make sound engineering changes•  Integrate instrumentation, sensors, motors, VFDs, relays, safety devices, and related control hardware into complete automation systems 
• Evaluate controls performance and implement improvements that increase equipment reliability, maintainability, safety, and production readiness

Electrical Design & Drawings 

• Create complete electrical control drawings from scratch for new equipment and system modifications
• Develop control schematics, power distribution drawings, wiring and termination diagrams, panel layouts, I/O drawings, cable schedules, and related electrical documentation
• Produce accurate redlines and as-built drawings based on field conditions and completed installations 
• Define control panel requirements, component selections, I/O needs, and electrical interfaces for equipment and automation projects 
• Review vendor and integrator drawings for technical accuracy, field readiness, and compatibility with site requirements

Commissioning, Startup & Troubleshooting 

• Provide hands-on field support during installation, startup, commissioning, testing, and production turnover
• Troubleshoot PLC logic, HMI behavior, field I/O, instrumentation, communications, electrical control circuits, and equipment sequencing
• Diagnose root causes of controls and electrical failures and implement practical, permanent corrective actions
• Support emergency and high-priority troubleshooting when equipment or production systems are down
• Verify system operation after modifications and ensure changes are documented before turnover

Manufacturing & Project Support 

• Work closely with manufacturing, maintenance, process engineering, electrical engineering, facilities, and operations teams to support equipment reliability and production needs
• Support controls retrofits, equipment upgrades, capacity expansion, new installations, and obsolescence replacement projects
• Coordinate with equipment vendors, contractors, and system integrators and provide technical direction when needed
• Identify controls risks, field constraints, and implementation issues early and drive them to resolution

Documentation, Safety & Compliance 

• Maintain accurate control drawings, electrical documentation, program backups, configuration records, and change documentation 
• Ensure field modifications and software changes are traceable and reflected in controlled documentation
• Follow applicable site safety, quality, electrical safety, lockout/tagout, configuration control, and work-control requirements
•  Support disciplined troubleshooting and change execution in manufacturing, laboratory, and controlled environments 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline; extensive directly relevant industrial controls experience may be considered in place of a degree 
• Strong hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs is required 
•  Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting experience is required, including the ability to work independently in existing systems and build control logic for new equipment 
•  Strong HMI development and troubleshooting experience is required 
•  Demonstrated ability to create complete electrical control drawings from scratch is required; experience limited to reviewing or redlining existing drawings is not sufficient 
• Strong electrical controls design knowledge, including industrial power and control circuits, I/O, instrumentation, motors, VFDs, relays, contactors, safety circuits, and control panels
• Experience with equipment startup, commissioning, field troubleshooting, and production support in industrial or manufacturing environments 
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, loop diagrams, equipment drawings, and technical documentation
• Demonstrated ability to enter an active project or operating facility and become productive quickly with limited supervision
• Experience in nuclear, chemical processing, energy, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or another regulated industrial environment is preferred

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee or contractor encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. 

This role is based on-site in Oak Ridge, TN and involves work across office, engineering, manufacturing, laboratory, and industrial environments. The position requires regular hands-on interaction with control panels, instrumentation, electrical systems, automated equipment, and production machinery. Work may include equipment commissioning, field troubleshooting, equipment inspections, and time in controlled or radiological areas. Use of required PPE and adherence to site safety, electrical safety, lockout/tagout, quality, cybersecurity, and operational requirements is expected. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Standard Nuclear embraces equal opportunity and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status. 

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.