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Princeton University

Instrumentation and Controls Engineer - PLC Focus

Closes:

Salary: $90,600 – $144,600 per year

99

Job Type Full-Time Overview In this role you would serve as an Instrumentation & Control Engineer working closely with engineers and technical staff and researchers to design, deploy and operate systems used for control and protection of engineering systems for plasma experiments at PPPL as well as both international and national collaborations. This position will support the design, development, testing and operational phases of projects undertaken at PPPL. It will require the successful candidate to work closely with scientific and other engineering and technical staff to develop novel solutions in support of such projects. A U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory managed by Princeton University, the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is tackling the world's toughest science and technology challenges using plasma, the fourth state of matter. With more than 70 years of history, PPPL is a leader in the science and engineering behind the development of fusion energy, a potentially limitless energy source. PPPL is also using its expertise to advance research in the areas of microelectronics, quantum sensors and devices, and sustainability sciences. Whether it be through science, engineering, technology or professional services, every team member has an opportunity to contribute to our mission and vision. Come join us! Responsibilities Core Duties: This role includes hands-on work to test systems, diagnose failures and render repairs if needed. The percent breakdown across various duties is: Design, Maintain and Support instrumentation and control systems: 60% Daily operation and maintenance of Control and Monitoring Systems: 15% Develop Diagrams, Drawings and Documentation for systems developed: 10% Apply controls theory to refine and improve the design of legacy and new systems: 15% Qualifications Education and Experience: BS of above in: Electrical Engineering Computer Engineering or related discipline. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The successful candidate has diversified knowledge of principles and practices in engineering instrumentation & control systems. They must be familiar with the technology commonplace in the instrumentation and control space. This includes software, design tools and underlying operating systems like MS Windows and Linux. They must be a team player with the ability to communicate ideas effectively to others with varying levels of technical skills and work with a diverse set of scientists, engineers and technical staff with varying backgrounds. They communicate designs through presentations and are comfortable providing material for reviews. The successful candidate will have experience with the following: Hardware interfacing and control, including signal conditioning. PLC device families including Allen-Bradley, Siemens in new and legacy systems. Creation and interpretation of PLC programs in Limited-Variability-Language (LVL), e.g. ladder logic, function block diagram, and sequential function chart. Development of operator HMIs including screens, alarm servers, and data historians. Application of controls theory on the design and tuning of fast and slow systems. Software version control and configuration management. Communication protocols such as TCP, UDP, Modbus, OPC. Requirements definition, creation of hardware and software design documents, test design and system integration. The ideal candidate would also have experience in the following areas: Safety Systems design, programming, and maintenance per IEC-61511/61508. SCADA programs such as EPICS. Deriving novel control solutions from customer requirements or system documentation. HMI design per guidance in ISA-101 âœHuman-Machine Interfaces." Migrating legacy control systems to modern hardware and software. Electrically safe work practices, including establishing Lockout/Tagout. Database management and administration, eg SQL, HDF5 or MDSplus. Physical Requirements: Primarily office work and occasional hands-on technical work. Working Conditions: This position is on-site at PPPL Monday â“ Friday. We are not supporting Visas or relocation for this position. Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly. If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above. The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information. Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from participation in certain foreign government talent recruitment programs. All PPPL employees are required to disclose any participation in a foreign government talent recruitment program and may be required to withdraw from such programs to remain employed under the DOE Contract. Standard Weekly Hours 40.00 Eligible for Overtime No Benefits Eligible Yes Probationary Period 180 days Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail) No Physical Capacity Exam Required No Valid Drivers License Required No Salary Range $90,600 to $144,600 PI287243493

Job details

Title
Instrumentation and Controls Engineer - PLC Focus
Employer
Princeton University
Location
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
Published
Sep 29, 2026
Closes:
Nov 28, 2026
Job type
Full time, Staff / Administration
Field
Laboratory and Research
Salary

Salary: $90,600 – $144,600 per year

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About the employer

Princeton University Jobs

Princeton University

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Princeton University provides a diverse array of job and work opportunities, supporting its mission in education, research, and campus operations. These opportunities broadly fall into three main categories: academic and faculty positions, administrative and staff roles, and student employment. Princeton University Jobs - https://hub-princeton.icims.com/jobs/search Academic and Faculty Positions These roles focus on teaching, research, and scholarly activities, often requiring advanced degrees and expertise in specific fields. They include: Faculty roles : Tenure-track professors, assistant professors, associate professors, and full professors across departments like physics, computer science, arts, and more. Lecturers and instructors : Part-time or full-time teaching positions in various academic programs. Professional researchers and postdocs : Postdoctoral fellows and research associates involved in lab-based or theoretical research, such as in quantum science or plasma physics. Professional specialists and librarians : Specialists in areas like data analysis or curatorial roles at the Art Museum, and professional librarians managing collections and services. Recruitment for these positions is typically handled by individual academic departments, programs, the Art Museum, or the University Library. Interested candidates can explore opportunities through the Directory of Academic Units for contact information and apply via the AHIRE online system. https://fed.princeton.edu/cas/login Administrative and Staff Positions These non-academic roles support the university’s operations, infrastructure, and services. They are available on the main campus and at facilities like the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Key subcategories include: Managerial and professional roles : Supervisors, coaches, accountants, financial services specialists, grants managers, and administrative managers. Technology and IT positions : Software developers, IT support staff, and engineers in information technology. Technical and support roles : Laboratory support, research staff, operating engineers, tradespeople (e.g., electricians, plumbers), building services, groundskeepers, and campus security officers. Specialized featured areas : Health and safety officers, engineering positions (e.g., in facilities or research), campus dining staff (e.g., cooks, servers), and staff research support in various labs. These positions often emphasize skills in operations, safety, or specialized fields and may be open to internal candidates as well. To search and apply, use Princeton’s career portals: the main iCIMS site for managerial and office roles, a service-oriented portal for trades and security, and a research-specific portal for lab support. Featured jobs in areas like dining or IT have dedicated search links on the HR site. Student Employment Opportunities Princeton encourages students to work part-time to gain experience, build skills, and earn money, with options available both on and off campus. These roles are designed to be flexible around academic schedules. On-campus jobs : Service-oriented positions in dining halls (e.g., food service), libraries (e.g., shelving books, assisting patrons), or administrative offices. Research and academically oriented roles include lab assistants, research aides in departments like biology or physics, or project-based work in arts centers. These can be short-term (e.g., one semester) or long-term (spanning multiple years), and some may be remote. Off-campus jobs : Facilitated through the university’s Job Location and Development program, these include tutoring local students, childcare, or professionally oriented roles like internships with nearby organizations. They range from short-term gigs to ongoing positions. Benefits include competitive pay, mentorship from faculty or staff, professional development (e.g., resume-building skills), and fostering community connections. All university-affiliated jobs must be registered and applied for through the JobX Employment Portal, while off-campus employers post via registration with the financial aid office. Overall, Princeton emphasizes equal opportunity and inclusivity in hiring, with many roles offering benefits like professional growth and contributions to a vibrant academic community. For the most current listings, visit the university’s HR careers page or specific departmental sites.

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