Principal Instrumentation & Control Engineer - Neutron Instrumentation Systems

Principal Instrumentation & Control Engineer - Neutron Instrumentation Systems

Hawthorne

Principal Instrumentation & Control Engineer – Neutron Instrumentation Systems

The Principal Instrumentation & Control Engineer – Neutron Instrumentation Systems is responsible for the engineering, procurement, integration, and deployment of neutron monitoring systems for reactor and high‑radiation environments. This role leads development and implementation of complete instrumentation solutions including detectors, signal conditioning electronics, processing hardware, cabling, and control system interfaces to ensure accurate neutron flux measurement, operational reliability, and compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

• Lead design and delivery of neutron instrumentation systems from concept through commissioning and operational support.
• Define system architecture including detectors, preamplifiers, signal processing electronics, power distribution, and control system interfaces.
• Coordinate detector selection, placement, and mounting with reactor physics, mechanical, and electrical engineering teams.
• Develop installation designs including cabling, shielding, grounding, environmental protection, and equipment layout.
• Manage procurement of detectors, electronics, and specialty components; perform technical bid evaluations and vendor coordination.
• Integrate neutron instrumentation with plant PLC/DCS platforms, safety systems, and data acquisition environments.
• Develop engineering documentation including specifications, instrument indexes, wiring diagrams, interface control documents, and test procedures.
• Support construction, installation, loop checks, commissioning, and operational troubleshooting.
• Evaluate system performance, signal integrity, radiation effects, and long‑term reliability.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Nuclear, or related Engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in instrumentation and control engineering within nuclear, reactor, or high‑reliability process environments.
• Experience engineering, deploying, or supporting neutron monitoring or radiation instrumentation systems.
• Strong understanding of detector systems, signal chains, and control system integration.
• Experience developing detailed engineering deliverables and supporting installation and commissioning activities.

• Experience with reactor startup testing, neutron flux monitoring, or radiation measurement programs.
• Familiarity with nuclear instrumentation standards, regulatory frameworks, and safety‑related system requirements.
• Experience integrating instrumentation into protection or safety‑related control systems.
• Background coordinating multidisciplinary engineering, procurement, and construction efforts.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.

$180,000 - $210,000 USD