Principal Electrical/I&C Engineer
Location: Richland, WA
Company: Columbia Energy & Environmental Services
Salary: $120,000 - $170,000, depending on experience
Position Overview
We are seeking an accomplished Principal Electrical/I&C Engineer to join our Richland, WA team. This leadership role combines advanced technical expertise with responsibilities for mentoring junior staff, serving as a discipline lead, and managing design/build/test projects.
The ideal candidate will bring at least 15 years of hands-on experience in control system design and a proven ability to balance technical excellence with leadership and project oversight. This position requires strong collaboration across engineering, design, and fabrication teams while maintaining a focus on safety, compliance, and quality.
Essential Responsibilities & Duties
Leadership & Mentorship
- Lead and mentor junior engineers, supporting technical growth and professional development.
- Act as discipline lead on projects, ensuring technical quality and project success.
- Provide direction on design/build/test projects and guide multi-disciplinary project teams.
Design & Technical Expertise
- Identify, design, evaluate, and test solutions for nuclear and hazardous waste remediation, chemical processing, and commercial projects.
- Develop P&IDs and oversee all aspects of instrumentation and controls, including system design, control panel design, and testing.
- Conduct design and analysis in compliance with applicable codes and standards (e.g., NEC, UL-508A).
- Specify, integrate, and program hardware and software components, including PLCs.
- Troubleshoot instrumentation, monitoring, and control systems.
Project Support & Collaboration
- Support multiple simultaneous projects across Washington, Idaho, and other locations.
- Collaborate with designers to produce accurate, detailed drawings.
- Generate test plans and procedures, supporting system testing and validation.
- Maintain configuration control of baseline drawings and documents.
- Communicate project status, progress, and technical challenges to stakeholders.
- Apply fabrication experience to ensure integration and manufacturability of designs.
Safety & Oversight
- Provide construction oversight, including inspection, installation, testing, training, and system turnover.
- Maintain a strong safety focus in office, fabrication shop, and field environments.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or higher from an ABET-accredited university.
- Minimum of 15 years of demonstrated experience in control system design.
- Experience leading project teams and mentoring junior staff.
- Proven ability to prepare design deliverables, resolve review comments, and finalize design packages.
- Experience in construction oversight, including installation, testing, training, and upgrades.
- Proficiency with PLC programming, integration, and troubleshooting.
- Strong problem-solving skills with instrumentation and control systems.
- Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Attention to detail and pride of ownership in work.
- U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain government security clearance (required for federal contract work).
Preferred Qualifications
- Registered Professional Engineer (PE).
- Experience in hardware and software integration.
- ASME NQA-1 or DOE project experience.
- Nuclear facility and/or Navy Nuclear background.
- Project management experience.
- Flexibility to take on new challenges and expand technical skills.
Key Success Attributes
- Leader & Mentor: Guides junior engineers and fosters a culture of technical excellence.
- Technically Proficient: Brings deep expertise in instrumentation, controls, and PLC systems.
- Collaborative: Works effectively with engineers, designers, project managers, and shop staff.
- Problem-Solver: Applies sound judgment to complex technical and compliance challenges.
- Adaptable: Thrives in a fast-paced environment while balancing leadership and project execution.
