Automation Engineer

We are seeking a professional to perform daily responsibilities that include control system programming, including base logic, graphics, and batch programming. You will lead life-cycle strategy/planning efforts for site control systems and training efforts for site automation. You will also work closely with Operations to execute programming modifications to de-bottleneck equipment and improve plant performance and reliability and ensure that all shifts are able to execute the operating plan daily, as intended. Additionally, you will lead annual functional certification of site automated interlock checkout, support project engineers during the commissioning phase of capital projects involving automation and utilize your technical background and troubleshooting techniques to improve processes and product quality. Lastly, you will provide support for the Data Historians, ensure plant changes or modifications are captured and documented as part of the PSM "Management of Change", and provide technical support for risk assessments on Management of Changes to ensure changes do not jeopardize the safety of plant.

Responsibilities

Perform control system programming, including base logic, graphics, and batch programming; Lead life-cycle strategy/planning efforts for site control systems and training efforts for site automation; Work with Operations to execute programming modifications to de-bottleneck equipment and improve plant performance and reliability; Ensure all shifts can execute the operating plan daily; Lead annual functional certification of site automated interlock checkout; Support project engineers during commissioning of capital projects involving automation; Use technical background and troubleshooting techniques to improve processes and product quality; Provide support for the Data Historians; Ensure plant changes or modifications are captured and documented as part of the PSM Management of Change; Provide technical support for risk assessments on Management of Changes; Maintain the health of DCS system hardware and software; Provide technical support and troubleshooting expertise to the daily Operational Team; Be on-call and respond to after-hour events impacting production or EHS; Provide technical and leadership support in root cause failure analysis for production, EHS, and quality incidents; Identify Lean opportunities and support implementation; Partner with the Production Supervisor to maintain safe operation and reliability of the plant; Apply Process Safety Concepts daily and comply with OSHA and plant-specific safety procedures; Execute small- to medium-sized capital projects related to control systems (DCS, PLC, SPLC); Guide third-party process control engineers engaged in project and maintenance support

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or automation engineering; Advanced degrees will be considered as relevant experience; 7+ years of experience in delivering and maintaining process automation and control systems; Experience in plant operations in a fast-paced PSM chemical manufacturing environment; Knowledge of chemical unit operations and equipment, as well as basic instrumentation, controls, and automation; Experience with ABB 800xa (800M controller preferred) and at least one SIS platform (e.g., Triconex, HIMA); Ability to quickly learn and analyze complex chemical processes, identify opportunities for improvement, organize and collaborate with cross-functional teams, and present a compelling business case for change to operational managers; Strong interpersonal skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills; Commitment to workplace safety

Nice to have

Safety Instrumented System (SIS) Engineer certification; Familiarization with safety instrumented systems