Instrument & Electrical Reliability 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 Instrument & Electrical Engineer at Chocolate Bayou is responsible for the specifications of equipment, maintenance monitoring, equipment selection, development and application of standards, with a strong focus on reliability of the instrument & electrical systems for plant operations. The instrument & electrical systems include field equipment, communication links and associated control devices in local and remote locations.  The individual will be responsible for developing reliability strategies along with providing technical guidance for supporting the continuous improvements of instrument & electrical systems in a chemical processing complex. 

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Improve the reliability of instrument & electrical systems affecting safety and production targets.

• Develop and improve asset care strategies that will improve MTBF, lower maintenance cost and increase on-stream reliability.
• Supports the development of obsolescence and Long-Range Plans, which includes identification of Bad Actor equipment and development of mitigation plans.

• Develop maintenance and reliability work scope for plant turnarounds to meet site objectives.
• Encourage and promote a culture that is proactive and personifies innovative ways of solving problems driven by business profitability and bottom-line results.
• Act as the site subject matter expert (SME) for instrumentation and electrical engineering, providing technical guidance and support. Collaborate with SMEs across the organization to develop, promote, and implement short and long term plans.

TEAM

• Reports to: Reliability Manager
• Team Members: Reliability Team

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide oversight and expertise of control voltage equipment and instrumentation related to process safety, electrical safety compliance to NFPA 70E, and I&E mechanical Integrity/reliability.
• Provide recommendations and justification for equipment upgrades and input into the plant capital plan.
• Develop and review instrument & electrical work scopes for turn-around and equipment outages.
• Audit regulatory mandated systems and maintenance work, such as protective instrument calibration and safety instrumented system functional validations.
• Provide failure analysis on instrumentation and develop corrective actions. Assist maintenance with high level of troubleshooting as required.
• Serve as a technical reviewer for Management of Change (MOC) processes, specifically focusing on instrumentation and electrical aspects ensuring site compliance with all applicable codes and regulations.
• Ensure risks associated with instrumentation changes are thoroughly identified, assessed, and effectively managed.
• Oversee, apply and audit the site’s mechanical integrity program, ensuring full compliance with corporate instrument and electrical work practices, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop predictive/preventative maintenance guidelines/programs to meet site requirements. Utilize SAP to manage the predictive/preventative maintenance system.
• Ensure compliance with technical engineering design standards and specification for reconditioning or altering of existing systems and equipment.
• Lead and actively participate in multidisciplinary incident investigations to identify root causes, contributing factors, and actionable recommendations for improvement.
• Focal point to maintain site Data Management Systems for specifications, calibration, validations, maintenance history and reliability tools.
• Use sound engineering practices, plant standards and specifications, ensuring that documentation for the Instrumentation Systems are maintained properly.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
• 3 to 5 (plus) years’ experience in instrument & electrical maintenance reliability in a refinery or chemical manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of process measurement instrumentation such as flow, pressure, temperature, level, and wireless technology, along with a strong understanding of control and on/off valve applications.
• Reviewing and approving specifications, drawings and other documentation such as job plans, recommendations, capital project scope and MOC actions.
• Development and implementation of maintenance reliability programs and procedures.
• Experience in Safety Instrumented Systems, IEC61511 is a plus.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Working knowledge of instrument & electrical equipment application and installation standards.
• Strong understanding and experience with maintenance and reliability work processes.
• Knowledge and experience with preventive and predictive maintenance practices
• Root Cause Analysis facilitation
• Working knowledge of PHA's and safety reviews, MOC, and Safety Instrumented Systems.
• Ability to be agile, multi-task, organize work, and meet timeline requirements.
• Strategic mindset, creative, flexible, detailed oriented, analytical, strong problem solver and self-starter.
• Candidate must have good technical writing and presentation skills.
• Working knowledge of SAP, Duane, Crow-AMSAA a plus
• Strong computer skills a must.
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability and willingness to work in team based environment.
• Operates in a professional office environment within or outside of an industrial plant environment.
• Ability to move throughout all areas of the facility.
• Possible exposure to indoor and outdoor weather conditions.

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.