Process Controls Engineer

About the Role

The Process Controls Engineer provides technical expertise and support for the site’s process control, instrumentation, automation, and safety systems to ensure safe, reliable, and optimized plant operations. This role troubleshoots control system issues, identifies improvement opportunities, and implements innovative and cost-effective solutions to enhance plant performance. The Process Controls Engineer works collaboratively across Operations, Maintenance, and Technical teams while serving as a key resource for process control and automation systems.

Responsibilities

• Work with a multi-disciplined team to organize, initiate, and develop the work execution of Capital Projects.
• Confer with engineers, contractors, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects.
• Work with instrumentation contractors to follow through with completion of Capital Expenditure Projects on plant site.
• Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Review technical specifications and design documents, including automation software supplied by contractors.
• Direct or coordinate engineering, fabrication, testing activities, and documentation to ensure compliance with standard practice, specifications, national codes, or customer requirements.
• Check the design and fabrication of instrumentation equipment in compliance with applicable codes and regulations (e.g., ISA S84 / IEC 61511 / IEC 62433).
• Review the manufacturing concept and fabrication process and evaluate feasibility with respect to scheduling and optimization.
• Participate in pre-inspection and testing of automation systems.
• Prepare various reports as needed and provide input to time schedules.
• Follow up on overall fabrication status or site installation regarding progress achievements and critical paths, and monitor key performance figures to ensure schedule milestones.
• Initiate and moderate technical discipline meetings with contractors and participate in regular meetings related to QS, HSE, progress, and schedule.
• Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software to perform engineering tasks.
• Assist in root cause failure analysis and develop procedures/modify automation concepts to remedy deficiencies.
• Provide input to mechanical completion monitoring systems to ensure completeness of individual manufacturing and construction steps.
• Present a professional image at all times to clients and vendors and maintain a positive reputation for the company.
• Work with process computer systems (DCS/ESD/PLC).
• Manage the Fire & Gas plant alarm systems.
• Manage process control networks.
• Manage DCS/PLC/F&G vendor maintenance contracts.
• Lead enhancement and coordinate activities on the DCS/PLC/F&G software and hardware.
• Manage the cyber security of the plant DCS/PLC systems.
• Manage all instruments (plant-wide).
• Manage the AMS/PRM, Asset Management Systems / Plant Resource Management systems.
• Manage the Analyzers and the emission monitoring systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Instrumentation, Electrical, or Automation Engineering is required.
• 2+ years of experience preferred, ideally as a plant owner’s employee in a continuous process industry (e.g., chemicals or oil refining).
• Experience in SynGas process (Ammonia, Methanol, Hydrogen) is preferred.
• Knowledgeable in the establishment and application of engineering management systems, processes, and tools.
• Engineering experience in configuration/troubleshooting DCS/PLC systems, preferably Yokogawa (CENTUM-VP, PROSAFE-RS), Allen-Bradley, or Siemens PCS7.
• Experience developing Process Instrument Diagrams (P&ID), Control and Safeguarding narratives, and process control specifications.

Skills

• Able to make difficult decisions and lead/manage others in changing business conditions.
• Excellent management skills, including planning, goal-setting, time management, prioritization, resource allocation, scheduling, and cost management.
• A person of integrity who is trusted by others and consistently honors commitments.
• Able to identify issues, problems, and opportunities; make timely decisions; develop innovative solutions; and seek assistance when required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including conveying information to individuals and groups and delivering presentations.
• Competent with applicable codes, regulations, and standards.
• Well-rounded experience across various engineering disciplines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with production employees, management, and other levels of the organization, both one-on-one and in small groups.
• Able to earn trust/respect and build relationships at all levels while supporting the organization’s mission.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment.
• Attention to detail and ability to produce results.
• Ability to interact with team members and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to implement maintenance procedures and recommend process/equipment modifications.

Qualifications

• Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods.
• Ability to effectively communicate through various means.
• Noise levels are typically moderate-to-loud.

Schedule

• Monday – Friday with available rolling 80s schedule.
• May work longer hours to meet deadlines as necessary.
• Willing to work call-outs on a plant-needed basis.