Instrumentation and Controls Engineer - Network Communications

Overview

MPR Associates, Inc. (MPR), a thriving multi-discipline, specialty engineering services and consulting firm, is actively seeking a capable and motivated Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Engineer – Network Communications to join our team. If you are seeking a unique, challenging, and rewarding career opportunity, MPR may be the right company for you.

Founded in 1964, MPR has a wide and growing client base in the fields of power and energy, federal services, and health and life sciences. We work throughout the United States as well as internationally. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, we also have offices in East Lyme, Connecticut, Burlington, Massachusetts, and Salt Lake City, Utah. MPR makes challenging projects successful, delivering safe and reliable technical solutions across the entire project or product life-cycle to benefit our clients and society as a whole. We hire the best and brightest, which results in a high-performance culture built on trust and respect, making MPR an exceptional place to work.

General Job Description

The Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Engineer – Network Communications will have technical, project management, regulatory, business, and client interface responsibilities. This position will provide strategic guidance and technical leadership to our U.S. and international clients. In addition, this individual will work closely with the MPR leadership team to develop market and client strategies and align MPR’s growth, skills, and tools development with future industry needs. This is a full-time, exempt position based out of MPR’s Virginia or Connecticut office.

Duties/Responsibilities

The I&C Engineer – Network Communications, is expected to have a broad range of skills, duties, and responsibilities, including:

• Provide technical experience and leadership in control system engineering, focusing on the design, implementation, programming/ configuration, commissioning, testing, and troubleshoot of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) with an emphasis on networked communication architectures.
• Design, configure, and maintain robust industrial network systems, including Ethernet/ IP, Modbus, Profibus, OPC UA, and other communication protocols. Ensure reliable and secure communication between devices, systems, and networks.
• Lead efforts to meet regulatory and cybersecurity requirements, such as NERC CIP and ISA/IEC 62443, for networked controls systems and associated devices.
• Support the integration of digital devices into ICS, including protective relays, sensors, and actuators with network communication capabilities.
• Develop high-quality engineering deliverables, such as communication network diagrams, system architecture designs, cybersecurity risk assessments, and feasibility studies for networked control upgrades.
• Work with multi-disciplinary teams to design and implement network-centric control system solutions for power generation, healthcare, and other industrial applications.
• Provide analysis and modeling capabilities for networked I&C systems, including developing and refining simulator algorithms to test communication integrity.
• Collaborate with clients to understand challenges related to network communication in control systems, develop technical proposals, and present innovative solutions to address their needs effectively.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for advanced network communication services, partnerships, and technologies that align with client needs and company growth strategies.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to team members on best practices for network communication technologies and system implementation.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve system design weaknesses, particularly related to communication system performance and reliability.

Qualifications

Education                                                                          

• 4-year technical degree is required.
• Advanced degree is a plus.

Experience

• At least 5 years of directly related I&C experience working in a project/systems engineering role, including demonstrated experience with the following:
  • Industrial Control Systems such as Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and/or Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems and control system devices, computers, communications, and networks.
• Experience designing, configuring, and operating communication systems and instrumentation and control systems in the renewable energy, battery energy storage, natural gas power, and/or oil and gas industries.
• Familiarity with cyber security controls and protocols, and experience identifying and mitigating cyber security vulnerabilities on field deployed equipment.
• The following experience is considered a plus:
  • Design and operation of commercial nuclear plant I&C systems and regulations.
• Familiarity with IEEE, IEC, and ISA standards.
• Familiarity with different I&C vendor products and their offerings including Emerson Ovation, GE, ABB, Allen-Bradley, Modicon, Wonderware, Schweitzer RTAC, Schneider, Framatome.

Skills – Technical

• Knowledge and experience of electrical and electronics theory.
• Extensive knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks from NIST, FDA, FIPS and RMF processes within the Federal government.
• Strong background in networking including but not limited to:
  • Knowledge of Ethernet, TCP/IP, IPv4, IPv6.
  • Ability to create and interpret network diagrams.
  • Managing and modifying registry, group policy and firewall settings.
• Software programming experience, preferably C/C++/C#, extensive experience is not required.
• Strong understanding of algorithms and data structures.
• Strong understanding of system control and automation.
• Strong understanding of software development workflow, software lifecycle, and software documentation.
• Microsoft Office Software.

Skills – Personal

• Excellent communication skills; both written and oral.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Critical thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated and disciplined.
• Ability to lead and work within teams.
• Motivated to tackle new problems and take on new responsibilities.
• Effective time management and organization skills.
• Strong questioning attitude and the ability to accept that in others .

Travel

As required by project assignments. Estimated level is up to 20-30%, each trip typically not exceeding 2 or 3 days, but durations are dependent on project needs and could be of longer duration.

MPR Associates, Inc. is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, who participates in E‑Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other classification as required by applicable laws. MPR is a certified Virginia Values Veterans (V3) employer.