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Job Summary
The Component Engineer for Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) is responsible for the technical oversight, reliability, and lifecycle management of critical I&C components within the nuclear power plant. This role ensures the safe, reliable, and code-compliant operation of electronic and software-based systems that support plant protection, control, monitoring, and data acquisition functions. The engineer will support maintenance, modifications, troubleshooting, and regulatory compliance for a defined set of I&C hardware and software components, including circuit cards, industrial computers, power supplies, recorders, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), controllers, monitors, and embedded or system-level software.
Job Description
Key Accountabilities:
- Technical Stewardship: Serve as the primary engineering authority for assigned I&C components, including printed circuit cards, control processors, power supply units, analog/digital recorders, PLCs (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Modicon, Triconex), distributed control system (DCS) controllers, and monitoring equipment.
- Component Reliability: Perform root cause evaluations (RCEs), failure analyses, and trending of component performance to identify and mitigate degradation mechanisms. Develop corrective actions and reliability improvements for recurring issues.
- Maintenance Support: Provide engineering support to maintenance and operations teams for troubleshooting, repair, calibration, and testing of I&C systems. Review and approve maintenance work packages and outage support activities.
- Design and Modifications: Lead or support engineering change packages (ECPs), including design reviews, configuration control, and as-built documentation updates. Ensure modifications comply with ASME NQA-1, 10 CFR 50, and plant-specific design basis requirements.
- Software Configuration Management: Oversee the configuration, version control, and change management of embedded software in PLCs, controllers, and monitoring systems. Ensure compliance with software quality assurance (SQA) standards and cyber security requirements (e.g., NEI 08-09).
- Spare Parts Management: Evaluate obsolescence risks, qualify replacement parts, and support form-fit-function (FFF) assessments for I&C components. Maintain bill of materials (BOMs) and approved vendor lists.
- Testing and Qualification: Develop and review test procedures for component acceptance, periodic surveillance, and post-repair verification. Support environmental qualification (EQ) and seismic qualification as required.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure I&C components meet regulatory requirements, including those related to safety-related systems, single failure criterion, and independence. Interface with licensing and technical specification teams as needed.
- Vendor and OEM Coordination: Work with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and third-party vendors to resolve technical issues, obtain documentation, and support repair or redesign efforts.
- Documentation and Standards: Maintain and update technical specifications, equipment databases, and engineering manuals. Contribute to the development of plant standards and procedures for I&C component management.
Education, Experience and Skill Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Computer or related field) from an accredited program.
- Minimum 6 years of relevant job experience in nuclear or industrial I&C systems
- Strong understanding of analog and digital electronics, power supply design, signal integrity, and embedded systems.
- Familiarity with software configuration management, change control processes, and cyber security practices for digital systems.
- Knowledge of nuclear regulatory requirements (10 CFR 50, 10 CFR 21, ASME NQA-1, IEEE standards).
- Proficiency with test equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters, logic analyzers) and diagnostic methodologies.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred or ability to obtain one.
- Experience with DCS platforms such as Foxboro IA, Westinghouse WDPF, or GE Mark VI/VIe.
- Understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) in safety-critical environments.
- Experience with obsolescence management and reverse engineering of legacy circuit cards.
- Familiarity with software version control systems (e.g., Git) in an industrial context.
- Working knowledge of cybersecurity standards for nuclear I&C (e.g., NEI 08-09, NRC Regulatory Guide 5.71).
- Experience with PLC programming (ladder logic, function block diagrams) and industrial control software (e.g., RSLogix, Unity Pro, WinCC).
Key Metrics:
- Prepare engineering reports and component health assessments
- Perform tasks in accordance with established expectations for nuclear safety and personnel safety
- May be responsible for developing other employees in area of expertise
- Serves a lead role on projects, teams, processes, or programs related to rotating equipment
- One of few who possess abilities not easily gained and of significant depth in rotating equipment expertise
Up to 25% travel may be required to corporate locations, power plants, other utilities, and industry meetings to support work activities.
This position can be located at any of our nuclear sites.
** Final pay grade will be determined based on applicant's experience and qualifications **
Job Family
Engineering Services
Company
Vistra Nuclear Operations Company
Locations
Glen Rose, Texas
Texas
We are a company of people committed to: Exceeding Customer Expectations, Great People, Teamwork, Competitive Spirit and Effective Communication. If this describes you, then apply today!
If you currently work for Vistra or its subsidiaries, please apply via the internal career site.
It is the policy of the Company to comply with all employment laws and to afford equal employment opportunity to individuals in all aspects of employment, including in selection for job opportunities, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military service, protected veteran status, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance submitting an application or would like to request an accommodation, please email us at assistance@vistraenergy.com to make a request.