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Principal Electrical/I&C Engineer

Location: Richland, WA
Company: Columbia Energy & Environmental Services
Salary: $120,000 – $170,000, depending on experience

About Columbia Energy

Columbia Energy & Environmental Services, headquartered in Richland, WA, is a well-established small business with a strong track record of delivering comprehensive solutions in engineering, design, fabrication, instrumentation and controls, and other specialized services. With expertise in fixed-price design/build/test projects, we serve both federal and commercial clients, consistently delivering high-quality results through innovation and technical precision.

Our collaborative and experienced team is committed to providing practical, client-focused solutions tailored to address a wide range of challenges. Recently, we expanded our operations to Idaho Falls, ID, reflecting our ongoing growth and dedication to broadening our capabilities. We take pride in maintaining a strong reputation for quality and integrity while ensuring compliance with rigorous industry standards.

Why Join Columbia Energy?

At Columbia Energy, we foster a supportive and innovative environment where team members can thrive. As a growing small business with ambitious goals, we value initiative, teamwork, and a dedication to quality. This role offers the opportunity to lead high-impact projects, mentor the next generation of engineers, and shape the future of our instrumentation and controls discipline.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Columbia Energy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.