R&D Software Engineer
The R&D Software Engineer at Confidential Client is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing software solutions that support advanced uranium enrichment technology in a highly regulated nuclear environment. This role involves close collaboration with controls engineers and process scientists to create automation and control software interfacing with industrial equipment, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems, ensuring reliable operation and integration across the facility. The position requires strong software development skills, experience with industrial control systems, and the ability to maintain security clearances for sensitive nuclear work.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Utilities.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Role overview
Confidential client in the Utilities industry is hiring an R&D Software Engineer to design, develop, and commission software that supports research, testing, and process control systems. This is a full-time, on-site role based in Wilmington, NC. U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain/maintain a DOE Q‑Clearance (or equivalent) are required.
What You’ll Do
- Develop custom executables, applications, utilities, and scripts to support R&D, testing, and validation across diverse hardware (motors, delay generators, oscilloscopes, specialized cameras, energy meters, linear rails, etc.).
- Translate process requirements and experimental objectives into reliable software solutions in collaboration with Controls Engineers and Process Scientists.
- Build new automation and control software from the ground up and refactor/upgrade existing in‑house systems.
- Interface software with industrial control systems, laboratory instrumentation, and data‑acquisition systems across industrial networks and protocols.
- Create automated test, commissioning, diagnostic, and equipment‑support tools.
- Collect, process, and bridge instrumentation data to local intranet infrastructure and time‑series databases (e.g., InfluxDB).
- Produce scripts and applications for data collection, processing, analysis, visualization, and reporting.
- Develop operator/technician interfaces and UI elements where applicable to enable safe, efficient interaction with equipment.
- Maintain source code, configuration records, test records, interface specifications, and detailed software documentation.
- Apply software‑development best practices: version control, code reviews, automated testing, configuration management, and change control.
- Support commissioning, startup, and field troubleshooting during test campaigns and critical development activities.
What You’ll Bring (Minimum Qualifications)
- U.S. Citizenship and active DOE Q‑Clearance (or DoD Top Secret) OR the ability to obtain and maintain one.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a related technical field — or equivalent experience.
- Professional experience developing software for automation, testing, data processing, or engineering applications.
- Proficiency in one or more languages such as C#, C, Python, or similar.
- Experience developing scripts and software for engineering or laboratory automation.
- Experience building software for systems without internet access and working in controlled/air‑gapped environments.
- Familiarity with industrial control technologies (PLCs, SCADA) and industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, TCP/IP, Modbus, OPC/OPC UA, serial).
- Ability to read and interpret engineering documentation (P&IDs, control narratives, system requirements).
- Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to work with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Proficiency with standard office tools (Microsoft Office).
- Willingness to work extended hours as needed to support testing, commissioning, and critical development activities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands‑on experience integrating software directly with PLCs, SCADA systems, instrumentation, or industrial equipment.
- Experience with OPC UA, MQTT, REST APIs, SQL, and time‑series databases or industrial data historians.
- Experience developing desktop applications, command‑line utilities, or custom engineering tools.
- Familiarity with automated testing frameworks, CI/CD workflows, and Git or similar source-control systems.
- Experience in classified, nuclear, industrial, laboratory, or other highly regulated environments.
- Background developing real‑time, deterministic, safety‑critical, or mission‑critical software.
Additional details
- Location: Wilmington, NC — On-site (local candidates or relocation as required by confidential client).
- Employment type: Full‑time.
- Security & eligibility: This position requires U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q‑Clearance (or equivalent DoD clearance). Employment is contingent on successful background checks and ongoing eligibility for nuclear site access where applicable.
- Work hours: Standard full‑time schedule with flexibility for extended hours during testing and commissioning phases.
- Accommodations: Confidential client and Careertakes will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities during the hiring process. If you need an accommodation, please let us know.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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