Scientific Systems, LLC is a trusted global leader in designing and manufacturing high-quality, custom-built industrial climate control, dehumidification, and liquid chilling systems tailored for severe-duty and harsh environments. We take pride in exceeding client expectations across industrial, commercial, and military applications while fostering a team-oriented environment where employees thrive and grow. We are currently seeking an Instrumentation Engineer to join our successful team at our Baton Rouge, LA headquarters.
Job Summary As part of the Scientific Systems Engineering Department, the Instrumentation Engineer III leads the instrumentation, electrical control, and programming scope for custom equipment packages with minimal supervision. This role heavily emphasizes electrical engineering design for industrial control panels and hands-on automation programming. You will be responsible for component selection, control panel layout, Allen Bradley PLC/HMI programming, and establishing robust communication networks across multiple hardware platforms and customer building systems.
Key Functions & Responsibilities
Control Panel Design & Electrical Engineering
- Panel Component Expertise: Demonstrate deep technical knowledge of industrial control panels, ensuring proper selection, sizing, and integration of all internal components (including circuit breakers, fuses, relays, contactors, power supplies, VFDs, and transformers).
- Electrical Design: Lead the electrical engineering efforts for panel layouts, control circuits, and power distribution, ensuring all designs comply with relevant safety and industrial standards.
- Schematic Development: Create, review, and maintain comprehensive electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, loop diagrams, panel layout drawings, and I/O lists.
PLC, HMI, & Networking Execution
- Automation Programming: Develop, program, and configure PLC and HMI applications, with a specific emphasis on Allen Bradley platforms (Studio 5000, FactoryTalk View).
- Network Protocol Setup: Configure, map, and troubleshoot industrial communication protocols—specifically Modbus (RTU/TCP)—to establish seamless data exchange across multiple interconnected PLCs and/or client Building Management Systems (BMS).
- System Testing & Integration: Lead Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and internal testing to validate panel wiring, hardware functionality, and program logic before equipment shipment.
Project & Vendor Coordination
- Technical Specifications: Prepare component requisition packages, verify technical specifications, and ensure item selection complies with customer environmental requirements (e.g., hazardous locations).
- Cross-Functional Support: Provide expert technical support to the production floor during panel assembly and system troubleshooting, as well as remote/field support during client commissioning.
- Mentorship: Provide guidance and technical insight to junior engineers and panel designers within the department.
Skills and Knowledge
- Control Panel Expertise: Mastery of industrial control panel design, low-voltage electrical engineering principles, and component-level troubleshooting.
- Programming Proficiency: Proven experience programming Allen Bradley PLCs and designing functional, intuitive HMIs.
- Industrial Networking: Strong understanding of configuring Modbus network topologies and integrating industrial hardware into commercial or industrial BMS architectures.
- Codes & Standards: Working knowledge of National Electrical Code (NEC), UL 508A (Industrial Control Panels), and requirements for hazardous area classifications (Class I, Div 1 & 2).
- Documentation: Ability to read, interpret, and generate highly detailed electrical schematics, P&IDs, and manufacturing blueprints.
Minimum Qualifications
- Education: B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university. Candidates with Mechanical or Chemical Engineering degrees will be considered only if they demonstrate extensive, directly relevant electrical panel design and PLC programming experience.
- Experience: Typically, 4–7 years of engineering experience focused on industrial automation, control panel design, and system integration within heavy industrial, HVAC, oil & gas, or custom manufacturing environments.
- Platform Experience: Direct, hands-on experience developing projects utilizing Allen Bradley hardware and software.
- Licensure: Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred but not required.
- Logistics & Compliance: Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- Setting: Collaborative engineering office environment paired with routine time spent on the manufacturing assembly floor to evaluate panels and test software logic.
- Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk/computer terminal for programming and design; ability to walk the production floor, bend, stoop, and look inside control enclosures; ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
Pay: $85,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- On-the-job training
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Safety equipment provided
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
