Control Systems Engineer I

Deer Park Refining Limited Partnership (DPRLP), known as PEMEX Deer Park, is a highly complex refinery located 18 miles east of Houston in Deer Park, TX. Part of the PEMEX group—a fully integrated oil company in the Americas—we operate across the entire value chain: exploration, production, industrial processing/refining, logistics, and marketing. PEMEX Deer Park employs approximately 1,000 employees and 1,200 contractors in a diverse and inclusive work environment. The refinery has a rated capacity of 340,000 barrels per day and processes multiple grades of crudes to produce high-quality transportation fuels. Co-located with third-party chemical facilities, the site enables further integration and optimization of refinery products. We uphold high standards of performance and ethical behavior, offering challenging and fulfilling job opportunities while prioritizing the health, safety, and environmental stewardship of our workforce and community.

About the Role

The Control Systems Engineer (CSE) is a key position in the Instrumentation & Process Control (I&PC) Department, deployed to support a given Production Team. This role provides functional leadership, technical support, and strategic planning in Process Automation, Control, and Optimization. The CSE, in partnership with the Control Systems Specialist, enables Operations to safely and efficiently control operating units using process control tools and equipment, including field instrumentation, DCS hardware, base layer controls, complex controls, advanced multi-variable predictive controllers, and Safety Instrumented Systems (SISs) to maximize site profitability.

The CSE role is highly collaborative and dynamic, requiring the ability to work independently and as part of a team. You will interface with multiple teams across the site, including maintenance crafts, operators, production support, other discipline personnel, contract engineers, vendor/manufacturer representatives, and leadership at various levels to ensure the safe and reliable 24/7 operation of the site.

The CSE is a key member of their assigned Production Team, accountable for base layer performance and long-term reliability of their units. Technical challenges include supporting equipment spread over a large geographical area, a mix of legacy and new technologies, and a variety of systems such as real-time closed-loop control, supervisory control, advanced control, real-time optimization, and safety instrumented functions.

Success in this role involves maintaining excellent process safety performance, reducing control and instrument reliability incidents, enforcing engineering standards, improving standardization of equipment and configuration while planning for and reducing obsolescence, and responding to, anticipating, and meeting Operations’ needs. The engineer must thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment and use prioritization skills to balance urgent short-term work with crucial long-term objectives. The position offers opportunities to sharpen instrument and analyzer technology skills through practical field experience, as well as growth potential through business case development, presentation opportunities, and capital project work.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the focal point for instrumentation and control systems issues for their assigned production team.
• Configure and improve the Distributed Control System (DCS) in their units.
• Perform proactive technical monitoring of the base layer controls to ensure reliable and optimized operation.
• Maintain and develop complex loop operations and associated documentation.
• Perform assurance activities for installed Safety Instrumented Systems (SISs).
• Actively participate in improving DCS alarming performance for their production team.
• Actively participate in the Management of Change (MOC) work process.
• Provide input and support for execution of unit Turnarounds.
• Participate in Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), providing guidance for Preventative Maintenance tasks and RCM studies.
• Serve as a capital project consultant for unit changes.
• Develop and maintain knowledge competence in the Process Control Domain (PCD) / Operational Technology (OT) domain, including associated dangers and risks, while acting as an active caretaker of the PCD.
• Develop and maintain knowledge competence in Process Safety Management (PSM), including Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and SISs.

Requirements

• Must have legal authorization to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis for anyone other than a current employer.
• B.S. or higher engineering degree (e.g., Chemical, Electrical, Control, Mechanical, or other relevant engineering branch).
• At least five (5) years of related experience in:
  • Process control engineering.
  • Instrumentation engineering.
  • DCS (Emerson DeltaV and/or Honeywell) configuration and support.
  • Control theory, applications, and engineering documentation (P&IDs, loop wiring diagrams) and troubleshooting methodology.
  • General instrumentation and/or process analyzer (QMI) experience.

Skills

• Beneficial skills:
  • Skill level competence in Process Automation System Engineering, particularly around DCSs (specifically on Honeywell Experion).
  • Advanced control strategies.
  • Knowledge of safety reviews (PHA, LOPA, etc.).
  • Knowledge of data analytics and visualization tools.
  • Ability to decompose complex problems to ensure timely and accurate resolution of system anomalies before they impact operations.
  • Ability to learn new concepts and technologies quickly.
• Desired demonstrated soft skills:
  • Analytical and decision-making skills.
  • Multi-faceted troubleshooting skills.
  • Strong organizational and planning skills (able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously) while working well in a collaborative team environment.
  • Excellent communication skills (both oral and written).
  • Innovative, flexible, and open to displaying a learner mindset.
  • Energy and enthusiasm with advocacy for important objectives.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Paid time off.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Future growth opportunities within the company.
• Collaborative and creative work environment where employees are encouraged to contribute to processes, decisions, planning, and culture.

Physical Requirements

This role involves physical demands associated with supporting equipment spread over a large geographical area, including fieldwork and troubleshooting in an industrial environment.