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# Controls Engineer Principal

- **Company:** the Naval Nuclear Laboratory
- **Location:** Charleston, SC, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $117,900.0 - $184,300.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Software Debugging, Ethernet, Monitoring of Systems, Health Information Management, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Wonderware, Modbus, Structured Text, Allen-Bradley Factory Automation Equipment
- **Published:** October 7, 2026
- **Apply:** https://jobs.localjobnetwork.com/apply/add/88578371/1

## About the Role

Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in a related technical, engineering or science field and a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience; or Masters degree from an accredited college or university in a related technical, engineering or science field and a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; or Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a related technical, engineering, science field and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience; or Currently a Principal Reactor Training Engineer, Refueling Engineer, or Field (RPCO) Engineer at the Company.
Preferred Skills

 * Experience managing PLC controls systems (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, or similar)
 * Writing, editing, and debugging PLC code (function block diagrams and structured text)
 * Adjusting HMI / SCADA configurations to accommodate system updates or user needs
 * Managing system level troubleshooting and networking errors (EtherNet/IP, Modbus, etc.)
 * Experience with Wonderware and/or Unity software
 * Experience supporting mission-critical and/or high-availability (24/7) systems
 * Understanding of grounding, shielding, and noise mitigation in control circuits
 * Understanding of electrical and machinery safety standards (NFPA/NEC, UL, IEC, etc.)
 * Familiarity with prototype and/or site operations at NPTU Charleston

## Description

Are you a Controls Engineer who's looking to master your craft in support of the US Navy? Come join the Site Engineering team at Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston (NPTU-C): maintain and improve PLC-based controls systems and industrial networks, develop automation for process systems, and provide engineering support of critical communications infrastructure all in support of NPTU-C mission-critical facilities. Seeking an experienced and motivated Controls Engineer to join the team that keeps the facilities running and the mission on track. A successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in managing PLC control systems, collaboration skills in a production environment, and a commitment to continuous improvement., * Support continuous operation of the industrial control network to include PLCs, HMIs, and remote I/O

 * Monitor system performance to identify issues and propose solutions
 * Identify and implement process improvements that optimize and automate system operations
 * Maintain, troubleshoot, and improve PLC-based code for process systems

Additional responsibilities include providing engineering support for critical communications infrastructure at NPTU-C and supporting submittal reviews and field inspections of communications infrastructure for a multi-year Military Construction project.
Required Combination of Knowledge and Skill