Automation & Controls Engineer

The Automation and Controls Engineer will be involved with the automation, design, development, engineering, improvement, and validation of new projects for a novel plastics recycling process. This role applies principles of engineering and project management and requires a strong understanding of process controls and instrumentation, electrical power delivery, networks and computers. It also requires a general understanding of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, materials science, and chemistry, along with tools like computer aided design and project tracking software. This role will develop systems to ensure proper specification of instruments and control system components, conduct assessments of current process automation and designs, assist in designing new processes and equipment, and develop recommendations for improvements. They will also manage vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers in producing new systems. They are expected to work with a cross disciplinary team including operators, technicians, process managers, other engineering disciplines and the finance team to conceptualize, implement and track projects, solutions, and improvements. They will trouble shoot instrumentation, controls, networks, electrical problems, and electrical systems and processes, and suggest and implement improvements to the same. Additionally, they will ensure that designs and installations are safe, maintainable, and meet or exceed relevant standards and codes.

Responsibilities & Expectations:

• Engineering support to drive reliability and efficiency of electrical equipment.
• Develop systems to properly specify instruments and control system components
• Automation of controls around novel chemical process equipment.
• Maintain and support controls network
• Assist with start-up and commissioning of new plant.
• Conceptualize improvements over existing designs.
• Assist/Lead in electrical equipment root cause failure analysis and in the development of standard practices and procedures.
• Learn and understand new technologies and solutions.
• Identify potential improvements in equipment and processes within the plastics-to-fuels process.
• Assist with asset maintenance & outage planning.
• Provide recommendations for equipment selection on new and existing systems.
• Evaluate off-the-shelf and vendor solutions.
• Analyze and provide recommendations based on electrical equipment testing reports.
• Support operations to manage contract electrical equipment testing.
• Analyze, track and trend electrical testing data and make prediction/recommendations based on this data.
• Design new systems and solutions as needed.
• Manage projects within time and budget constraints.
• Independently set and achieve goals and milestones.
• Interact clearly, comfortably, and respectfully with all staff and internal and external clients.
• Prepare technical reports and deliver internal presentations.
• Teach, mentor and train other staff.

Requirements:

• Engineering or related degree, or extensive experience in controls in the Oil & Gas and chemicals industry or similar.
• Experience with project management.
• A minimum of 5 years of controls/automation experience
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office tools: Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Experience with electrical control systems troubleshooting, testing procedures, requirements, methodologies, and sequencing.