I&C Design Engineer (Principal Engineer Level)

COMPA Industries seeks an onsite I&C Design Engineer at the Principal Engineer level to support DOE and NNSA operations in Aiken, South Carolina. This role draws on extensive I&C design experience in nuclear and process chemical environments, focusing on the design, development, and execution of complex control systems. The position demands strong technical leadership, hands-on design work, and the ability to navigate multi-disciplinary engineering challenges in a high-stakes setting.

Compensation: USD 80 - 90 per hour. This role is 100% onsite in Aiken, SC.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and drive engineering execution for complex programs, developing high-quality solutions to challenging problems.
• Apply advanced engineering expertise to resolve multi-disciplinary technical issues and incorporate new materials, processes, and innovative approaches.
• Coach and guide less experienced engineers and technical staff, supporting new problem solving and applications of engineering principles.
• Develop and manage technical plans, schedules, budgets, and resource requirements; monitor progress, expenditures, and the quality of deliverables.
• Evaluate program results and identify opportunities for improvement; communicate objectives and results to customers, colleagues, stakeholders, and management.
• Perform engineering analysis, system design, and field walkdowns focused on instrumentation and control.
• Provide design staff augmentation using SRNS processes and procedures; develop detailed design deliverables including P&IDs, control logic diagrams, loop diagrams, instrument indices, setpoint lists, instrument specifications, control valve specifications, DCS and PLC design documents, installation designs, and panel layouts.
• Review vendor documentation and support PLC and DCS design and integration; ensure output documents comply with codes, SRNS procedures, project requirements, and site expectations.
• Utilize MicroStation 2D CADD for design development and ensure alignment with design outputs and standards.
• Communicate technical results and recommendations to customers and internal stakeholders; contribute to continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.

Requirements

• PhD in an applicable engineering or science discipline with 5+ years of experience; or MS with 8+ years; or BS with 10+ years; degrees in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Nuclear, or I&C Engineering; or current PE certification in one of these disciplines.
• Core technical experience includes 10+ years of direct I&C design in the nuclear or process chemical industries within the last 15 years.
• Proven design experience with process control instrumentation, PLCs, Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and MicroStation 2D CADD.
• Ability to conduct weekly field walkdowns in industrial or construction environments and to develop and review P&IDs, control logic diagrams, loop diagrams, instrument indices, setpoint lists, instrument specifications, control valve specifications, DCS/PLC design documents, instrument installation designs, and panel layouts.
• Strong capability to perform engineering analysis, design development, and generation of design output documents; capable of supporting schedules, budgets, progress monitoring, and quality reviews for assigned technical work.

Technologies

• MicroStation 2D CADD

Mandatory Experience

• Must have 10+ years of direct Instrumentation & Controls design experience in the nuclear or process chemical industries within the last 15 years.
• Hands-on design experience with process control instrumentation, PLCs, DCS, and MicroStation 2D CADD is required; weekly field walkdowns in active industrial or construction environments are necessary.
• This position is 100% onsite in Aiken, SC; local candidates are preferred or applicants must be willing to relocate at their own expense.

Impact

The I&C Design Engineer will be central to the design, development, and execution of sophisticated control systems that support DOE and NNSA operations. The role directly influences safety, compliance, operational performance, and the reliability of mission-critical facilities.

Work Environment

100% onsite in Aiken, SC. Local candidates are preferred, or applicants must be willing to relocate at their own expense.

Field Work Required

• Walking long distances, including more than half a mile
• Climbing ladders to access remote areas
• Working in active industrial or construction environments
• Walking on uneven surfaces and around ongoing work
• Dressing in protective clothing and wearing required PPE

Work Schedule

• Monday through Thursday, 6:45am to 5:15pm EST
• Overtime may be required to meet deliverables and will be at the discretion of management

Why Work at COMPA Industries?

• COMPA Industries offers career-building opportunities within mission-critical DOE programs and provides best-in-class engineering and technical services.
• Your I&C design expertise will contribute to national security, nuclear safety, compliance, and advanced engineering innovation.
• COMPA Industries is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. No C2C. No third-party agencies.