Senior Electrical Controls Engineer

Senior Electrical Controls Engineer

Role Overview: The Senior Electrical Controls Engineer oversees and completes various projects across multiple engineering disciplines. This role supports the implementation of capital projects within the facility and contributes to reliability and improvement efforts. Strong project management and technical skills are essential to coordinate different disciplines within the Engineering department, Operations, Maintenance, consulting engineers, and vendors. The candidate should possess skills in PLC programming, HMI programming, network configuration, integration, and implementation of process control solutions across industry-standard platforms. Candidates with a minimum of 5 years in the paper or similar industry as a Project Engineer will be considered, with opportunities for development to move into roles of greater responsibility within the Engineering department.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Engineering & Management:

• Manage all phases of capital and expense repair projects from inception through equipment installation and start-up, including safety, scope and cost management, field execution management, and performance evaluation after projects are in-service.
• Lead all phases of the project process, including project scopes, cost estimates and schedules, capital request forms, preparation of drawings for assigned projects by collaborating with engineering consultants, vendors, and facility personnel.
• Coordinate with Operations, Maintenance, management, and other project stakeholders on an ongoing basis.
• Work on special projects as directed by the Engineering Manager.
• Serve on process optimization teams as assigned. Experience leading/participating in structured problem-solving teams is desired.

Technical Support:

• Collaborate directly with operations and maintenance to troubleshoot and resolve production issues involving the Process Control System, industrial automation, and controls.
• Proficiency in programming and configuring one or more control systems.
• Ability to receive additional training on site-specific process control systems and PLCs.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve all hardware issues associated with the Process Control System, including power supplies, communication and I/O modules, HMIs, network switches, and infrastructure.
• Perform activities to support Process Control System backups, software updates, and disaster recovery for the entire facility.
• Serve as a subject matter expert related to electrical wiring and troubleshooting associated with the Process Control System and hardware.
• Assist in developing and executing an effective control system training plan for facility E&I personnel, operators, and process engineers.

Qualifications:

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering preferred or a relevant engineering-based technical discipline.
• Preferred candidate will have 5 years of related experience with an emphasis on engineering of capital projects.
• Ability to work in a team environment and establish effective working relationships with various disciplines within the facility and external service providers.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting P&ID drawings, process loop sheets, electrical drawings, and technical documents.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including building close working relationships and minimizing disagreements.
• Physical ability to operate in a facility environment, including light to moderate lifting, walking, and climbing, oral communication, correctable vision, and ability to work in a hot, humid, and dusty environment.
• Detail-oriented, conscientious, and willing to learn.
• Position requires less than 10% travel.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in programming PLC or process controllers while online.
• Solid experience with HMI design, programming, and implementation.
• Strong understanding of instrumentation, sensors, and control system hardware.
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting Variable Frequency Drives.
• Experience with 3 phase 480V - 15KV power distribution systems and equipment.
• Excellent problem-solving, troubleshooting, and analytical skills to solve complex issues.