Laboratory Instrument Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

Requisition Id 17025 

Overview:

The Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls Engineering (EICE) group within the Enrichment Science and Engineering Division (ESED) seeks a Senior Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Systems Engineer to develop LabVIEW‑based data acquisition, monitoring, and control solutions for enrichment systems and testbeds. ESED serves as the national steward for gas‑centrifuge technology and the expansion of the nation’s stable‑isotope production capabilities. The EI&C group applies modern hardware and software engineering methods to design, integrate, and sustain reliable, high‑performance solutions that advance enrichment technologies and isotope‑production systems.

The selected candidate will play a key role in designing, fabricating, integrating, and commissioning mission essential instrumentation and control software components, while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure system performance, safety, and operational excellence.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and optimize LabVIEW-based software for data acquisition, monitoring, and control applications across new and existing systems.
• Lead the design, integration, and deployment of real-time monitoring and control software solutions to enable safe, reliable, and efficient system operations.
• Manage software products throughout the full application lifecycle, including requirements development, architecture/design implementation, testing, configuration management, and issues management.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to translate system requirements into actionable software designs and ensure delivered solutions meet performance and reliability targets
• Contribute to the design and implementation of DAQ hardware solutions, including electrical interfaces, instrument selection, measurement strategies, time synchronization, and signal conditioning methods.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including software design descriptions, configuration management plans, verification test procedures, and user guides.
• Work closely with management and technical leadership to define work scope and establish project schedules.
• Prepare systems for installation, support field deployment, and resolve real-time operational issues
• Ensure all work complies with safety, security, and quality requirements.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, professional development activities, technical training to strengthen core capabilities.
• Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and code reviews to promote software engineering best practices within the team.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• BS degree or higher in Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or closely related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience developing industrial monitoring and control applications or high-performance data acquisition applications utilizing National Instruments (NI) hardware platforms or other LabVIEW-based solutions.
• Demonstrated experience leading software development projects and collaborating with software development teams.
• Strong proficiency in LabVIEW design patterns, frameworks, modular programming practices, and software‑architecture development.
• Experience developing real-time embedded applications for CompactRIO, PXI/PXIe, sbRIO, or similar IPC/PAC targets.
• Proficient with standard measurement and test equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies, DMMs, signal generators, process meters)
• Experience using modern version-control and CI/DC platforms such as GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.
• Ability to implement unit testing, author verification and validation (V&V) procedures, and lead structured verification activities.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, manage conflicting priorities, and deliver work on schedule
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance which requires US Citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• NI Certification(s) such as CLD, CLED, or CLA.
• Experience developing software interfaces for ADCs, communication modules, signal conditioning hardware, power‑supply controllers, motor‑drive components, memory devices, or other embedded hardware components.
• Familiar with SCADA systems, PLC‑based process control systems, and distributed control architectures.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols such as TCP/IP, OPC UA, EtherCAT, EtherNET/IP, RS-232/485, Profibus, or CAN/CANOpen.
• Knowledge of process systems including vacuum systems, cooling loops, flow/pressure control, pneumatic systems, or motor‑drive operations.
• Demonstrated experience applying Software Quality Assurance (SQA), Design Control, and Configuration Management best practices in regulated or high‑reliability environments.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

Relocation:

Moving can be overwhelming and expensive. UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions. If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position is located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and requires onsite presence. We offer a flexible work environment that supports both the organization and the employee.

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This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.