Apprentice Instrumentation Jobs in South Bend, IN

Sargent & Lundy is seeking a Junior Planner 2 with an instrumentation and controls and/or electrical background to support project and outage execution at the D.C. Cook Nuclear Plant. This role supports work package development, schedule readiness, field coordination, and execution planning within Client's organization.

The selected candidate will work closely with project managers, schedulers, construction leaders, engineers, test personnel, and station stakeholders to help translate activities into practical, field-ready plans. This is a strong opportunity for an early-career professional who wants to grow planning experience in a nuclear environment while supporting meaningful plant work.

Key Responsibilities

• Support development of field-ready work plans and planning packages for baseline work, modifications, corrective actions, and outage scope, with emphasis on I&C and electrical activities.
• Assist with online and outage planning activities, including work package assembly, task sequencing, schedule input, and readiness reviews.
• Coordinate with project managers, schedulers, construction managers, test engineers, procedure writers, procurement, and station personnel to support efficient execution.
• Prepare or update planning documentation, material coordination inputs, status updates, turnover information, and closeout support.
• Help verify scope definition, walkdown needs, resource assumptions, schedule constraints, and execution prerequisites for assigned work.
• Support work management and outage teams in identifying risks, resolving planning conflicts, and escalating emergent issues.
• Maintain alignment with station procedures, quality requirements, configuration control expectations, and owner-directed execution practices.
• Build and preserve site knowledge through documentation quality, structured handoff, and consistent coordination with site leadership.
• Evaluate and approve material procurement recommendations necessary for the execution of work packages.
• Conduct field walk-downs to identify and analyze corrective and preventive maintenance, modification, and surveillance activities.
• Collaborate with work management, supply, operations, and engineering to address work package issues and provide input to enhance work package quality.
• Define procedures, drawings, equipment, and materials for planned work packages.
• Coordinate out-of-service notifications, plant barrier impairments, and permits.
• Verify the adequacy and compliance of work instructions with all applicable station procedures.

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Essential Skills

• One of the following qualification paths:
  • A BS or MS degree in Engineering (from an ABET accredited program) with a minimum of 1 year of industry experience
  • Two-year associate degree with 3 years of industry experience
  • Completed apprenticeship program (Journeyman) with 1 year of industry experience
• Ability to work in a structured, procedure-driven environment with strong attention to detail.
• Basic understanding of work packages, scheduling logic, resource coordination, and execution readiness.
• Strong organizational, communication, and follow-through skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and the ability to learn site systems and planning tools quickly.
• Ability to work on site at D.C. Cook and interface effectively with cross-functional plant and project teams.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain nuclear site access.

Preferred Experience

• Background in instrumentation and controls, electrical systems, digital upgrades, plant troubleshooting, testing support, or related field execution support.
• Prior experience supporting nuclear plant work management, outage planning, maintenance planning, or engineering project execution.
• Familiarity with work orders, tagging, clearances, material readiness, procedure use, and turnover processes.
• Experience with Primavera P6, Maximo, SAP, or similar planning and scheduling systems.
• Exposure to field walkdowns, schedule coordination, testing interfaces, electrical isolation planning, loop checks, point-to-point verification, or construction package support.
• Knowledge of nuclear safety culture, quality assurance expectations, and configuration control discipline.

In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to solve problems using modern tools:

• You are expected to take engineering problems from issue to solution using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
• Many engineers in these roles build or use automation to create calculations, summarize technical documents, or draft design documentation, including appropriate use of agentic AI tools, with strong engineering judgment and verification of results.
• Programming or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations, design checks, reporting, or data transformation is valued but not required.
• We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other training in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that helps you apply automation or agentic AI to real engineering problems.

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Back-Up Daycare
• FSA & HSA

• 401(k)
• Pre-Tax Commuter Account
• Merit Scholarship Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Corporate Charitable Giving Program
• Tuition Assistance
• First Professional Licensure Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus

• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Join Sargent & Lundy's Nuclear Power Group and be part of a team driving the future of clean, carbon-free energy. Since 1954, we've been a trusted leader in nuclear engineering, design, and licensing, with expertise spanning small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactor technology (ART), and first-of-a-kind commercial reactor restart projects. Our work supports life extensions and digital modernization of existing nuclear plants, coal-to-nuclear conversion initiatives with the Department of State, and international nuclear new-build projects. With a commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability, we provide cutting-edge solutions that power communities worldwide while reducing emissions. Shape the future of global energy with us!

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.