Advanced Process Control Engineer

POSITION OVERVIEW

Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in high-performance chemicals, fibers and plastics, committed to enhancing quality of life through innovation. With fully integrated manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia, we develop essential solutions that drive safer vehicles, cleaner energy, advanced medical devices, and durable consumer goods. Guided by a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and customer success, we operate responsibly while delivering value through cutting-edge technologies and industry expertise. Join our team and be part of a collaborative environment where your work drives meaningful global impact.

The Advanced Process Control (APC) Engineer will support the Ascend Process Automation group with ongoing efforts to improve manufacturing operations through optimized energy usage, improved yields, and increased capacity through the application of advanced control techniques.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Evaluate specific APC improvement opportunities for economic return and technical feasibility.
• Deploy new APC applications to capture bottom-line value for Ascend.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, design and deploy APC applications in a wide variety of processes to capture economic benefits.
• Configure interface logic and operator displays in the Distributed Control System (DCS) as part of APC controller deployment.
• Design and work with operations personnel to conduct plant step tests to identify dynamic process models.
• Configure, commission and tune newly deployed controllers.
• Configure and monitor controller Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure controllers are maintained.
• Train others in controller design, functionality, and maintenance.
• Travel to Ascend sites in Houston, TX, Decatur, AL, Pensacola, FL up to 15%.

TEAM

• Reports to: Sr. Manager, Advanced Process Control

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering preferred, with 10 years of related process control engineering experience.
• Experience with deployment of advanced controls (10 years) in industrial processes, particularly Model Predictive Control (MPC) and inferential sensors.
• Experience with dynamic model identification using techniques such as Finite Impulse Response (FIR), Sub-Space (SS) Identification, and Autoregressive-Exogenous (ARX).

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong understanding of Advanced Process Control concepts and techniques, such as advanced regulatory control (ratio, feed-forward, cascade), MPC, and inferential sensors.
• Experience with the design, configuration and deployment of AspenTech DMC3 model-predictive controllers is required.
• Knowledge of DeltaV DCS configuration and deployment is required.
• Ability to work directly with Operations personnel to investigate, commission and monitor advanced controllers.
• Ability to communicate highly technical information in an understandable manner to non-technical audiences.
• Comfortable conducting presentations in-person and via web-based meetings.
• Ability to coordinate and lead APC projects across Ascend locations.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• PE License.
• Participation in relevant industry SME groups and standards committees is a plus.
• Experience with DeltaV PredictPro/PredictPlus and MACS APC platforms.
• Experience with AspenTech GDOT.

At Ascend Performance Materials, we value transparency and fairness in our hiring process. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, search firms, or staffing agencies. Any resumes received from such entities will be considered the property of Ascend Performance Materials, and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for such submissions. Our Talent Acquisition Team actively engages with preferred recruitment partners who have established agreements with us. We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be considered for any open positions.

Skills Summary:

About Us:

Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high quality chemicals, fibers and plastics. With world scale integrated manufacturing facilities we are able to develop new products from our core technologies, and provide flexibility to respond to the expanding needs of customers. Ascend has global sales and distribution facilities across the globe and six manufacturing facilities globally. As a privately-held company, our people do big things and make big decisions, often much earlier in their careers than at larger companies. Ascend Performance Materials offers team members the opportunity to contribute in big, meaningful ways—all within a stable and growing business.

Why work at Ascend?

Our vision is to be the recognized leader in the nylon 6,6 value chain, creating new possibilities with PA66 for everyone, everywhere, every day. We achieve that through living our Ascend values.

We care. We operate safely with high integrity for our employees, our customers and our communities. Our people are our greatest assets, and our Total Rewards Program extends beyond traditional benefits to include access to on-site medical clinics at our U.S. facilities, a global wellness rewards program and Performance Matters, an employee-driven recognition plan. Our Commitment to Zero demonstrates our belief that is it possible to operate with zero personal injuries, zero process safety incidents and zero environmental releases. And the Ascend Cares Foundation, led by Ascend employees, supports Ascend families in times of need, provides inspiring opportunities ​​for community engagement and facilitates community leadership.

Customer-focused. We exist for our customers; they drive our actions. Their success is our success. Our plastics and chemicals are building blocks that help make everyday essentials safer and more sustainable, and we constantly strive to develop new and innovative products to meet the future needs of our customers. And that customer focus doesn’t only apply to the marketplace – it also applies to how we treat our colleagues and our fellow community members.

Better every day. We invest in our people and our processes to improve every day. A2E, our continuous improvement program, guides the way we do business. And this way of problem solving applies not only to our manufacturing practices but also to our commitment to developing our people. You’ll see it during your career at Ascend in our leadership development, skills training and mentoring programs

Agile. We think broadly and lead proactively in a constantly evolving organization and industry. Agility doesn’t mean simply working quickly – it means critical thinking, creative problem solving and novel approaches to everyday challenges.

One Ascend. All together, with a common set of goals and an eye toward the future. We don’t accept silos. We look for ways to share across departments, sites and geography. This means you won’t be boxed into a single role at Ascend – you could get the chance to work with teams across the globe to improve the way we serve our people, our customers and our communities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws.