Sr. Automation Controls Specialist, Operations Team

Twelve is pioneering a new industrial era with carbon transformation. Using electrochemistry, we convert CO₂ into essential products—fuels, chemicals, and materials—that traditionally rely on fossil resources. Our mission is to transform CO₂ from a liability into a valuable resource, build resilient fossil-free supply chains, and advance next-generation sustainable industry. The AirPlant One facility in Moses Lake, WA, serves as a proving ground for this process, with plans to expand the technology to the next AirPlant 2 facility.

About the Role

The Senior Automation PLC Controls Specialist is an experienced, hands-on professional with expertise in Rockwell, PlantPAx, and FactoryTalk PLC/HMI systems. This role involves executing configuration activities, system updates, and maintenance as part of the Moses Lake Operations and Maintenance team. You will troubleshoot control applications, provide corrective configuration support, and ensure alignment between expected and actual system responses. Familiarity with OT (Operational Technologies) systems, third-party interface communication protocols, and field sensors/control elements is essential.

As part of a dynamic operations team, you will support the production of energy-related products and pilot various operational scenarios. You will collaborate with suppliers to understand the technical growth direction of automation systems and assess their fit for Moses Lake Operations. This role offers the opportunity to contribute learnings from AirPlant One to the development of AirPlant 2. The position may be filled as either a permanent employee or a direct contract role.

Responsibilities

• Be a member of the Operations and Maintenance team at the site and provide support as requested.
• Develop an understanding of the safety aspects of the Integrated Control and Safety System (ICSS) and act as the system owner to ensure inherent safety concepts are maintained and supported through technology developments.
• Lead all automation and control activities, including hands-on configuration and documentation updates for the AirPlant One facility.
• Partner with Engineering, Construction, Project Management, Finance, and Legal to align control system activities with capital project execution.
• Serve as the OT interface to IT teams, translating plant control-system requirements into secure network practices (e.g., identity/access, patching, remote access, asset inventory, and cybersecurity) to protect production uptime, safety, and data integrity.
• Interface with Rockwell resources (the supplier of the controls technology) and the Main Automation Contractor resources that provided design and configuration for the installed system.

Requirements

• Degree in a field related to Process Automation or secondary education with extensive field experience in Process Automation (minimum 8+ years).
• Extensive experience in an operational environment, with some project execution experience.
• Experience working with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) environments is an asset.
• Experience integrating control systems from vendor packages into the plant control system.
• Experience with OT (Operational Technologies) and related networking.
• Working knowledge of IT/OT convergence practices, including industrial Ethernet networking, VLANs/firewalls, network segmentation, IDMZ concepts, role-based access control, multi-factor authentication, secure remote access, asset inventory, patch-management coordination, and incident-response coordination with IT/cybersecurity teams.
• Oil & Gas, energy, or heavy industrial experience is preferred.
• Proven ability to collaborate across Operations, Engineering, Construction, Project Management, Finance, and HSE teams.
• Must be a local resource to the Moses Lake facility or willing to relocate to Moses Lake, WA, to support operational demands.

This is a full-time role with after-hour support required on an as-needed basis.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid sick days and vacation.
• Competitive salary and equity compensation.

Pay

United States Wage Range: $204,000 - $255,000.